Jesus is the Messiah and King of Kings

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 19:17-42

 

John 19:35

And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 

(NKJV)

 

The crucifixion of Jesus has been the highlight of movies and portrayed in Passion plays in churches during Easter. This account in John represents John’s eyewitness account of the event, referencing Old Testament prophecies that describe the event. These Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment at the crucifixion of Jesus provide evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, King of Kings, and the Lamb of God come to provide salvation for the world.

 

Jesus carries His cross to Golgotha where he is crucified with two others one on each side with Jesus in the middle (John 19:17-18), Pilate put a sign over Jesus that said, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19). This sign was read by many Jews and caused the chief priests to tell Pilate to change the sign and say that He said He was the King of the Jews, but Pilate refused to change the sign (John 19:20-22).

 

When they had crucified Jesus, the soldiers divided Jesus’ garments into four parts, one part for each soldier but they cast lots for the tunic because it was woven without seam (John 19:23). This casting of lots for the garment was in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18 (John 19:24). Standing at the foot of the cross were Jesus’ mother, her sister, and Mary Magdalene (John 19:25). John was also at the foot of the cross with Jesus telling His mother to behold her son and then he told John to care for Mary as his mother with John taking Mary into his home (John 19:26-27).

 

Jesus now knew all things were accomplished and in fulfillment of scripture told the soldiers he thirsted (John 19:28). There was a vessel full of sour wine nearby, so the soldiers took and filled a sponge with the sour wine and gave it to Jesus (John 19:29). After this, Jesus said, “It is finished!” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit (John 19:30). Since it was Preparation Day for the Passover, the bodies could not be left on the cross so the Jews asked Pilate to break the legs of the men crucified but since Jesus was already dead, they did not break His legs (John 19:31-33). One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, and blood and water came out, confirming He was dead (John 19:34). John was an eyewitness to these events which fulfilled scripture that not one of Jesus’ bones would be broken (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) and that His side would be pierced (John 19:35-37; Zechariah 12:10).

 

Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and Pilate permitted him, so Joseph took Jesus’ body (John 19:38). Nicodemus also came bringing about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). These men bound the body of Jesus in strips of linen along with the spices as was customary for the Jews (John 19:40). There was a tomb nearby to where Jesus was crucified and since it was Preparation Day, and the tomb was nearby, they buried Jesus there (John 19:41-42).

 

Detailed prophecies of the crucifixion of Jesus are provided in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. In those times, people did not have access to printed copies of scripture and would memorize whole passages of scripture. On the cross, Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 when he said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). Since people memorized scripture, they would have recalled the rest of Psalm 22, which was unfolding before their eyes. They may have later recalled Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering Messiah and realized it was Jesus (Isaiah 53). These things, coupled with the fact that Jesus entered Jerusalem on the exact day prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9:20-27; Ezra 1), provide evidence of who Jesus is, the Messiah and savior of humanity. The period of time between the proclamation of Cyrus and Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday represents the first 69 weeks of Daniel’s vision. There is then a gap, the Church age that ends with the rapture of the Church (Revelation 4:1). This ushers in Daniel’s seventieth week, the great tribulation period, and the short seven-year reign of the Antichrist.

 

There are Christians who do not believe it is necessary to study Old Testament scriptures, believing they only apply to the Jews and have little to do with the New Covenant ushered in by the birth of Jesus. However, without prophecies like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 that describe Jesus’ death by crucifixion long before crucifixion existed, we would not have the assurance that Jesus' death was any different from any crucifixion done by the Romans. We need the whole canon of Scripture to have understanding and assurance of who Jesus is, the Messiah and Lamb of God. Jesus is also the King of Kings who is returning to establish his Kingdom on earth, something Christians have hope in (Revelation 19:11-16).

 

Since all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23), all people need salvation provided by Jesus, the Messiah. If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.