John 19:1-37, Ultimate Service

Objectives

• Congregants will
• Congregants will
• Congregants will

Main Body

Setting the Stage

• In John 18 Jesus was falsely accused, falsely tried, found innocent and yet still condemned. The trial is complete and the narrative moves into the sentencing phase. In Philippians 3:10 declares "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death". What does it mean to know the fellowship of his suffering? As we celebrate Christmas we often talk about God becoming flesh, Emmanuel, God with us. In fact, Hebrews 4:15 tells us that "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." God became human in Christ, he experienced all that it meant to be human. In fact, Christ experienced more of what it means to be human than all of us, Christ experienced death, the final enemy that all of us have yet to experience. As we look at the death of Jesus Christ we can see what ultimate servanthood looks like. We are going to contrast three representatives with the great Servant Christ, the coward, the guilty, and the praxis (convention, habit, or custom).

Contrast: The Servant and the Cowards (V. 1-16)

• Don't forget that in John 18:38 Pilate stated "I find no fault in Him at all."

The manipulations of a coward (V. 1-5)

• Verse 1: In Luke 23:16 we see that Pilate thought that flogging Jesus (an innocent man) would be a compromise that would appease the crowd. Roman flogging was a common brutal punishment that could itself result in death. The victim was stripped, tied to a post or thrown on the ground and beaten with flagella, leather whips with pieces of bone, iron and spikes. Someone who knew what they were doing could remove entire patches of skin with the flagella. Furthermore, unlike the Jews, the Romans had no limits not he number of lashes that could be given a victim.

• Verse 2-3: Next the soldiers at insult to injury by mocking Christ. They place a crown made from the long spikes of a date palm and array Christ in a purple robe. A wreath would have often been used to coronate a victor, here the soldiers use the crown to mock the one who they se as just the opposite of a victor. In the ultimate act of mockery the soldiers declare Christ king of the Jews and begin to strike Christ. Remember that at this point there is probably very little flesh remaining on His body, He is probably barely recognizable as human. The phrase "Hail the King of the Jews" is similar to phrases that soldiers would have pledged before Caesar before giving a kiss of loyalty. Little did the soldiers know that one they again will give hail to King Jesus (Philippians 2:10-11, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.)

• Verse 4-5: Now hoping that the crowd will be appeased Pilate presents Jesus back to the crowd and emphasizes that He is a man. Two words stand out "Behold (ιδε)" and "so that (ιωα)". Pilate begins by using the exclamation to draw attention to what he is about to say. Then he lets the people know that he is going to bring Jesus out so that they will know that he finds no basis for guilt. Then they bring Jesus out as one who according to Isaiah 53:3 "He is despised and [d]rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." Pilate again declares "behold (ιδου)" the man. The king of the Jews is a pathetic beaten man who, in Pilate's eyes, amounts to nothing

The scheming of cowards (V. 6-7)

• Verse 6: For the third time Pilate declares Christ innocent. But the scheming religious leaders will have nothing to do with this verdict. They are cowards afraid to lose their power and will stop at nothing short of the complete destruction of this one who they perceive as a threat to their power.

• Verse 7: Finally, at last, the truth comes out. The religious leaders really want Jesus tried for claiming to be the Son of God. Ironically, they have not actually tried Jesus for this crime as a trial would have revealed Jesus to be telling the truth.

• Notice the presence of the gospel in this section of scripture. Pilate declares the innocence of Christ and the Jews proclaim the deity and death of Christ.

The dedication of the servant (V.8-11)

• Verse 8: Upon hearing that the charge against Jesus Pilate is afraid. No Doubt, Pilate would have been familiar with Greco-Roman mythology of gods taking human form in order to test humanity. Matthew 27:19 tells us that right about this time "his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”"

• Verse 9: Pilate finally asks Jesus the ultimate question. "Where are you from". The greek contains the emphatic pronoun συ placing emphasis on you. Pilate is asking, are you a man or a god. Ironically, Pilate had earlier just stated "behold the man." Now everything is being called into question and in this comment we see the dedication of the servant. Jesus did not answer. In fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7 Christ, totally dedicated to the mission remains silent, silently proclaiming that the answer to Pilate's question is above Pilate's pay grade. Pilate was not worthy or ready for the truth for otherwise he would have already recognized the truth.

• Verse 10: Pilate empathetically states "Εμοι ου λαλεις" including the empathetic "to me". In other words, "are you kidding me, you, a bloody, beaten prisoner will not speak to the Roman perfect? I am the one with the power over you."

• Verse 11: Finally, Jesus answers, and in one concise statement declares that Pilate's power is not ultimate, Pilate is a pawn of the Jews, and that everything that is happening is happening because He is in control. In contrast to the cowards in this passage we see Jesus

The folly of cowards (V. 12-16)

As Christians we must not cower under the pressure of the world but dedicate ourselves to selfless service for the one who made the ultimate sacrifice of service for us.