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Call to worship: Exodus 34:4-9

Text: John 19:18-19

Summary:

Summary: The holiest, most wondrous words ever recorded: 'there they crucified Him.' Simply astounding; worthy of our richest tears of gratitude and joy. The purchase of Heaven for guilty sinners formally begins. Jesus is given a mock coronation. He's mocked a King. At His re-presentation, the Jewish crowd cries for His cross, asserting He's committed blasphemy. Curious Pilate, having missed it the first time, asks Jesus where He's from; Jesus remains silent, though He speaks when Pilate brings up the issue of authority. The cross is the goal of this King in obedience to the Sovereign of all. Pilate attempts to release Jesus, repeatedly declaring His innocence, but he ultimately succumbs to the crowd's sinfulest desire, as, in their two-faced idolatry, they threaten him politically. He hands Jesus over to be crucified. He then is crucified atop The Skull and in between two criminals. We're reminded of the nature of what He's now begun to do: bear the sins of His people. That is His glory. There is His true crown. Alas, Pilate dubs Him King. If only he'd believed what he'd written. May we and so many more believe it.

Sermon Outline:

1. See the soldier's ironic defamation of King Jesus. (19:1-5)
2. See Pilate's dreadful indecision about King Jesus. (19:6-11)
3. See the crowd's idolatrous desire for King Jesus. (19:12-16a)
4. See God's crowning of King Jesus - on the Cross. (19:16b-22)

Prepare

Disucssion Questions:

1. Read John 19:1-22.
2. In what ways do you discern scriptural irony in 19:1-5? Why would Pilate have Jesus punished like this if he only intended to show the crowds that He was innocent? Why do the Gospel writers give so little attention to the physical suffering of Jesus, only stating the simple fact of it?
3. What charge do the chief priests now bring before Pilate in 19:7? What's the truth in what they say? Why, however, is their charge in utter error as it relates to Jesus? Why would Jesus as the Son of God frighten Pilate? Why is it important to listen to Jesus as attentively as possible whenever He speaks? Has Jesus already answered Pilate's question in 19:9? How does Jesus respond to it now? How does Pilate respond to this 'enacted judgment' in keeping with Jesus being the Lamb of God? What about Pilate's response entices the Word to speak out? What does Jesus clarify for Pilate? Who is in control of the cross? Who is in need of the cross?
4. If Pilate tried to release Jesus, why didn't he just do it? Can we have a desire to do the right thing that's just not as strong as the desire to maintain a righteous standing with sinful people? How does that manifest in Pilate? Who is supposed to be the King of this crowd? Who is? How is that manifest in their desire concerning Jesus? How does scriptural precedent, the handling of God's servants by His people, Israel, coincide with their desire for Jesus? What can we say about the judgment seats of men, like Pilate? How does the seat of God and Christ differ?
5. Take it in. What significance is attached to the fact that Jesus 'went out'? Bearing His cross? Pray not to be unfeeling at these words, 'There they crucified Him.' The majesty and terror of the moment is incalculable. Consider what, at that moment, He's begun to do. How does John give us a taste of it by the mention of those crucified beside Him? How does God settle what we ought to see and savor here, by the words of Pilate? What do the Jewish leaders desire to do with it? Any significance to the inscription being multilingual? The one time Pilate does not cave, what does he stand by? In that, what is God preaching as true and forever unchanging?