How people felt towards Jesus now comes out. Pilate scourged Him; the soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head and put on Him a purple robe; the chief priests and officers said, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” “The thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35). At the cross, the heart of God, the heart of Satan, the hearts of men, the heart of the thief and the heart of Jesus were revealed.
Finally, Pilate yields to the crowds about the time of the preparation of the Passover, for that feast really speaks of the sacrifice of God’s Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:29). We read in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”
Having crucified Jesus between two thieves, Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. It was not an accusation, for there was none, but rather a statement of fact as to who He was. It was written in three languages so that all could read and understand.
After three hours of darkness during which Jesus suffered for sins, He said, “It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.” Man had one last act of wickedness to perform. A soldier came and with a spear pierced His side, and blood and water came out. That soldier had no idea that he was fulfilling Scripture in what he did.
Now, two who loved Jesus came forward to do honor to that blessed Person: Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, and Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night. Never again do wicked men touch or see the Lord before He ascends to heaven.
1. What else did the soldiers put on Jesus besides a purple robe? __________ John 19:___
2. At the preparation of the Passover, about the sixth hour, what did Pilate say to the Jews? __________ John 19:___
3. Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. What was it? __________ John 19:___
4. When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a spear, what came out? __________ John 19:___
5. What is the name of the secret disciple of Jesus who came and took the body of Jesus? __________ John 19:___