The Victory of the Cross

MEMORY VERSE: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” —John 12:32

JOHN 19:17-30

APRIL 7 will be observed by many churches as Palm Sunday, in commemoration of the time when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an ass and was acclaimed king by many of the people. (John 12:12-16) Today’s lesson takes us beyond this experience to the crucifixion. Pilate arranged that on the cross on which the Master was crucified there should appear a title, “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

This title appeared in three languages—Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. The chief priests of Israel objected to this inscription, and asked Pilate to change it to read, “He said, I am King of the Jews.” Pilate’s answer was, “What I have written I have written,” and he would not make the demanded change. As the title read, it put the Israelites in the position of having clamored for the death of their king, and they did not like this, even though it was true.

While Jesus was hanging on the cross, the Roman soldiers who had nailed him there divided his clothing among them and cast lots for his seamless garment. This had been foretold in Psalm 22:18. Jesus was acquainted with this psalm, and quoted from it while hanging on the cross—“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1; Mark 15:34) When he saw this prophecy being fulfilled, it must have given him strength, for it would serve to assure him that the Father’s plan through him was indeed being carried out just as it had been foretold.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was standing near the cross during the crucifixion, as was also the Apostle John. Jesus, referring to John, said to his mother, “Behold thy son,” and to John he said of Mary, “Behold thy mother.” This indicated Jesus’ love for his mother and his keen sense of responsibility toward her.

Crucifixion produces agonizing pain, and as the end neared, Jesus said, “I thirst.” In response to this request a vessel was filled with vinegar—Greek, “sour wine.” A sponge was dipped into this, and hyssop was put upon it, and this was pressed against Jesus’ lips.

When Jesus had received the vinegar he said, “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” Here again the translators have endeavored to give to Jesus’ words a meaning which was not intended. They used the word “ghost” to convey the idea that when Jesus died something personal departed called a “ghost” from him. The Greek word here mistranslated “ghost” is pneuma. Its literal meaning is “air,” and it is so used in our word pneumatic, as in pneumatic tires; that is, tires filled with air. It was used to describe the air we breathe and is properly translated “breath.”

Just as he died Jesus said, “It is finished.” He had come into the world to die as the Redeemer of mankind, and now this final aspect of his earthly ministry was over.

Our memory verse is important. Jesus speaks of being lifted up from the earth, and of drawing all men unto him. We could think of this as being lifted up on the cross; and it is by virtue of his death on the cross as the Redeemer that the way is opened to draw all men during his thousand-year reign, and to give them an opportunity to live forever. Jesus was also “lifted up” at the time of resurrection—lifted up to the divine nature; and from this highly exalted position he will draw the people to him during his kingdom reign. Either thought is correct.

How we rejoice that there is yet to be such a glorious consummation to the divine plan!

QUESTIONS

What inscription was placed on Jesus’ cross? Why were the high priests displeased with it?

Why might Jesus have been encouraged by seeing his clothes divided?

Why is the word “ghost” incorrect in the expression, “He gave up the ghost”?

In what sense was Jesus’ work finished on the cross?

When will Jesus draw all men unto himself?

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