47. John 19:17-30 The Crucifixion of Jesus

17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 

19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”  20 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. 21 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.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

• Jesus, who is God, completed His mission through perfect love and obedient sacrifice (v. 30). 

• Due to sin, our humanity has been deeply broken. The people crucified the very Son of God. The soldiers mocked Him. The religious leaders stood by. Yet, on the other hand, we are beings who receive God's endless love. Jesus still willingly chose to die for those ignorant sinners and paid the price for our sins.
  
  

What did this passage mean to its original audience?

• This Gospel was written to show that Jesus is the Son of God, and that by believing in Him, people might have life in His name (20:31). This passage made clear that Jesus’ death was not defeat, but victory.  For early believers facing persecution, rejection, or doubt, 19:17–30 would remind them that Jesus' suffering brought eternal life, and that their faith rested in the crucified and risen Savior.

What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions? 
Despite my sinful and imperfect nature, Jesus suffered and died for me not because of my efforts or what I've done, but because of His love. I often feel worthless or overwhelmed by guilt and shame. But in light of Jesus' words, 'It is finished,' I remember that I am fully forgiven. Instead of focusing on myself, I want to look to the Lord and live a life worthy of the value of His life. Since Jesus gave everything for me, I also want to give what I can in love to Him. I want to live a life like Jesus, loving, humble, and fulfilling the mission He set before me. Jesus, thank You. I love You.