“Didn’t see that one coming … “

March 24

Read John 19

“Didn’t see that one coming … “

The death of Jesus was God’s plan all along. We see this over and over again. No one takes Jesus’ life from him by force. (cf. John 10:18) Every detail of his crucifixion was intentional… necessary… a part of God’s design. This truth is particularly woven into chapter 19 of John. Time and time again some sort of detail is carried out by a character in the process of Jesus’ death that fulfills the prophecies written about Christ. The crazy part is that it was done unknowingly. These people had no clue that what they were doing would affirm / confirm the work of the Lord and play a part in demonstrating that Jesus truly was the Messiah that God spoke of for generations before! Those soldiers did not think we would be reading about their “gambling” for Jesus’ clothes 2000 years later!

Pilate is an interesting example of this. In verse 19 it says:

“Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (v.19)

Did Pilate truly understand the magnitude of what he was saying… the actual TRUTH of what he had written?! Little did Pilate know or understand that not only was Jesus “King of the Jews” but he was also “King of kings, and Lord of lords”! (cf. Rev. 19:16) The Jews who crucified him took offense at the language though:

“Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (v.20-22)

No amount of petitioning or complaining could change this cosmic truth nor the sign which it was written on. Pilate had unwittingly been used by God to proclaim what was true about Jesus much to the chagrin of the religious leadership of the day. These sorts of things happened over and over again.

Whether it is the dividing of his tunic (v. 24) , his declaring “I thirst” (v.28) , or the piercing of his side and avoidance of breaking his leg bones (v. 36,37) - every one of these things was foretold in prophecy and fulfilled in the crucifixion; these things affirmed yet again that Jesus was and is the anointed one of God sent to this world… The Messiah… the Son of God. The truth of who Jesus truly is cannot be stopped. Even his unwitting opponents, enemies, and crucifiers end up playing a part of fulfilling the plan. They can’t help it because God is ultimately in control. The truth of Jesus will not be suppressed… and more often than not the attempts to do so simply end up affirming and proclaiming it even more! This was the case here at the cross.

I do not think the Devil knew what God’s plan was. I think those rebellious spiritual beings and their “prince” were probably as shocked as everyone else when Jesus died. I am sure that if they knew what Jesus’ death on the cross was actually going to unlock (the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation between God and his children, the ushering in of a new covenant that included God’s Spirit dwelling in his people, the beginning of the end for them… the “final days”,etc.) they would not have killed him. Remember John 8 tells us that these leaders who were persecuting Jesus were doing the work of “their father, the Devil”. (cf. John 8:44) Imagine if Satan knew that his most maniacal scheme… his master “plan” to stop Jesus by killing him… was actually going to be the very thing that led to his own final destruction… that he was actually playing right into God the Father’s hands!

Take heart children of God. The truth of Jesus will prevail. When things seem most desperate, remember that God is at work. I think this is why Jesus went down to the “spirits in prison / in chains” to proclaim that “the time is full, and the Kingdom of God is at hand” those three days when his body was in the grave. (cf. 1 Peter 3:18-22, Jude 1:6) Jesus was in essence saying… “don’t even begin to think you have one… quite the opposite… the end is drawing near because this was a part of the plan all along. You guys are done for!” When things look like they are getting “worse” (what could be worse in the eyes of the disciples than Jesus being killed on a cross!?!) it may actually be God setting the stage for the great victory that lies ahead. Even the enemies of Jesus are being used to set the stage for the Lord’s glory and power to be revealed. Know this! Love you guys! - JDP