Passion Week Devotional - Friday - John 19:16-30

John 19:16-30 (NIV) 

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. 

The Crucifixion of Jesus 

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews.  Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.  The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 

“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” 

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, 

“They divided my clothes among them 
    and cast lots for my garment.”[a] 

So this is what the soldiers did. 

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[b] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 

The Death of Jesus 

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 

John 19:16–30 is a powerful account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is the single greatest tragedy in history, yet this incredible—almost glorifying—event is also one of the most important occurrences in human history. 
 

We often focus on the deception and violence surrounding the crucifixion, but two verses in this passage, which can easily be overlooked, serve as a poignant reminder of Jesus’ gentle nature, even as he faced death: 

“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:26–27) 

At this point in Jesus’ life, we assume that his father, Joseph, has passed away and that Mary is now a widow. Her beloved son, Jesus, is in agony on the cross. He has been mocked, beaten, and is now nailed to a cross for all to see, experiencing indescribable pain. 
 

Yet Jesus isn’t languishing on the cross, complaining about how unfair it is or wallowing in self-pity. Instead, he is thinking of others, ensuring that his mother is looked after upon his death. Even in this moment, when Jesus could rightfully have focused on himself, he chose to honour his mother by entrusting her to the care of his disciple, John. 

As we reflect on Jesus’ desire to provide for Mary in his final moments, it becomes a powerful reminder that his death on the cross is the ultimate act of selfless care towards us. Jesus wasn’t on that cross for his sin. We shouldn’t only be captivated by the pain and injustice he endured; it’s vital to remember that he went there to bear the punishment and weight of our sin. 

When we view the crucifixion in this light, we begin to see the boundless grace and mercy of God for us. 

• What reaction do you have when you think about Jesus’ death on the cross? 

• How does Jesus’ suffering display his love for us? 

• How can we apply the lessons of Jesus’ steadfast love and selfless care to our daily lives and interactions with others? 

Today’s devotional was written by Corinna Stubbs.