He Died for Us

Today I read John 19, John's version of the crucifixion of the Savior. He does not add a whole lot that we didn't already know. He does tell us more about how Pilate tried to save Jesus' life multiple times though and it wasn't until the Jews threatened to tell Caesar that Pilate was revolting against his rule that he finally relented and had Jesus killed. The way he writes it, it is almost like John feels that Pilate was forced into crucifying Jesus, although I do not think this is the case. I think it is more likely that John wanted to record the events as truthfully as possible. Perhaps John also wanted to show just how many chances Pilate had to back out and let Jesus go.

As we know, Jesus was crucified despite all of Pilate's efforts to let him go. About the only additions that John adds to the crucifixion story is Jesus taking care of His mother. I don't know all that much about Jewish culture, but Jesus feels a need to make sure His mother is cared for. Jesus has brothers and sisters, in American culture the responsibility of taking care of His mother would have fallen to one of Jesus' brothers, or perhaps even a sister. Perhaps in Jewish culture though the responsibility for the parents relies upon the oldest brother. But whatever the reason, while on the cross Jesus gives responsibility to care for His mother to John. John takes care of Mary from that time forward. When you think about crucifixion and you have to push up on your feet to allow your diaphragm to expand so you can speak, it really hits home just how much Jesus loved His mother and was concerned about her being taken care of.

Once Jesus had fulfilled all things He gave up the ghost. I have often wondered what happened on the cross that fulfilled and ended the Atonement. I mean, why did He have to be on the cross for 9 hours? It is my understanding that the Atonement was Jesus taking up on Himself our pains, sicknesses and sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and then His overcoming of death through His resurrection. So what was accomplished on the cross? Why did He have to wait to give up the ghost? He could have died at any time, when He decided to die, He died instantly and did not have to go through the fatigue and tiring that most crucifixion victims have to go through where they weaken to the point they cannot stand up to breathe anymore and thus they suffocate. This is why the guards broke the thieves legs to speed up the process. But when they came to Jesus they found He was already dead. One of the guards pierced His side with a spear and blood and water came out. I have been told that the only way water can enter into the heart is if it literally breaks. Jesus died of a broken heart of His own choice.

Of course it is not necessary for me to know why Jesus had to remain on the cross for those 9 hours. As my father in law says it's a black hole question, it is not necessary for me to understand for my salvation. It is enough to know that He did it for us. After He gave up the ghost Joseph and Nicodemus petitioned Pilate for the body of Jesus and were granted the privilege of preparing Jesus' body for burial. It must have been a very sobering task but I can only imagine how strong the Spirit must have been in that little sepulcher. They did not at that time know that He would rise again in just 3 days, because they did not understand what He was saying when He had explained it to them. But we know He would rise again and conquer death for all of us. It was the single most significant event in the history of the world. And tomorrow we will get John's take on the event. Until tomorrow.