A Day of Destiny
John 19:16-30
Introduction
Think of the thousands of days since creation. Is it possible that any day stands above the
rest? During this time of year, we celebrate two momentous days. One is the day that Jesus
died. There were three major phases to this day that changed the world and made it possible
for your life and mine to be changed:
I.
The Humiliation of Jesus (John 19:1-3)
A. Jesus had been whipped beyond belief and condemned to die. He was very
weak from the beating. The beating was so severe that many victims died from
the beating alone. Pieces of bone and rock were often sewn into the strands of
leather that made up the whip. When the lash made contact with the victim’s
skin it literally cut it open – often to the bone. However, this would not be the
end of his humiliation. He must endure more for you and me.
B. (Mark 15:16-20; Matthew 27:27-31) Jesus was taken back into the Praetorium
after being scourged (v. 27). The soldiers then gathered for sport.
C. Jesus was stripped of His clothes and a scarlet robe was placed upon Him.
They mocked Him as King.
D. Jesus was spat upon. The One who had left heaven and become a man was
treated in a way almost impossible to imagine.
E. Finally, they put His clothes back on Him and led Him away to His death.
II.
The Crucifixion and Agony of Jesus (John 19:17-24; Matthew 27:32-46; Mark
15:22-26; Luke 23:32-34)
A. Jesus was so weakened from the beating that He could not bear the weight of
the cross. Simon of Cyrene was forced to help Him carry the cross.
B. We are told that Jesus would not accept the painkiller offered Him. Jesus did
not seek to escape either physically or mentally what was happening. He was
prepared to experience the penalty for your sin and mine to the fullest.
C. Then they crucified Him – no details are given here. The Gospels dwell on the
meaning of Jesus’ death rather than the gory details of how it was done.
Crucifixion was commonplace in that era, so readers needed no explanation.
Let us pause just a moment to understand what death by crucifixion was like.
D. Nails were driven into Jesus’ hands and feet and possibly a small seat was
place on the cross for Him to straddle in order to prolong His agony. The seat
was higher than the appropriate height for sitting so that the victim had to push
up on the nail in the feet to reach the seat to find relief in breathing. However, in
time, the victim would slip off of the seat again and the process would repeat
itself until the victim was too weak to reach the seat and find relief in breathing.
Eventually, the victim died by suffocation. In short, it was a cruel and painful
death.
E. They gambled for Jesus’ clothes (John 19:33; Matthew 27:35). His few worldly
belongings were disposed of in this miserable manner.
F. Jesus suffered:
i. Physically – the beating and crucifixion
ii. Verbal abuse – mocking and railing
iii. Deep spiritual pain – depths which we cannot fathom. He cried out in
pain using the words found in Psalm 22:1. This cry came at the end of 3
hours of darkness. Jesus experienced the darkness and complete
alienation of mankind from God in that moment when He cried out. “He
who knew no sin” truly “became sin” for us in that moment (Matthew
27:45-46).
III.
The Death of Jesus (John 19:30; Matthew 27:47-50)
A. When Jesus cried out, some thought He had called for Elijah (Matthew 27:47).
B. He was given sour wine to drink to ease the suffering (John 19:29; Matthew
27:48).
C. Jesus yielded up His Spirit and died. When He deemed the time appropriate,
He experience death for you and me.
IV.
The Glorious Result of Jesus’ Death (Matthew 27:51-54)
A. We are no longer separated from God (Matthew 27:51a). This glorious result
was signified in the tearing of the thick veil in the Temple that separated the
people from the Most Holy Place. The veil of the temple was torn in two from
top to bottom. The separation between God and mankind has been removed.
Each one of us can choose to have a personal relationship with God through
Jesus Christ!
B. Death and the Grave have been conquered. Jesus has experienced the worst
life can bring and He triumphed over it all! (Matthew 27:51b-53)
C. Like the Roman centurion, you can see for yourself through God’s Word what
Jesus did for you, and how much He loves you. Upon seeing the sacrifice Jesus
made, the centurion confessed Jesus by saying, “Truly this was the Son of
God.”
Conclusion
What keeps you from confessing Jesus Christ? Is it fear? Pride? Not understanding it all?
All that you need to understand today is that Jesus loves you and died for you. Just trust in
God’s written Word and take the Nail-Pierce Hand of Jesus by faith. Confess Him as the One
who died for your sins and ask Him to forgive you today and to come into your life as Savior
and Lord of all. He will make it real in your life and give you a life worth living. The result of
that day of destiny is what God desires for you today!