Jesus the Dying King

John 19:16-42
By: Alexander Rico

The cross, we see this image displayed all over the world. Mostly around church facilities and hung around people’s necks; however, do we truly know and understand what that symbol represents and means for us as Christians today? What does the cross mean to you? How is the cross portrayed to people who do not know its meaning? To some, it is simply an item, a piece of jewelry or decoration with no significance whatsoever. The Berlitz Dictionary gives as its definition that the Cross is simply, “jewelry or a medal and a form of death to criminals.” Notice here how it is considered just a piece of jewelry….or just an item of death. Is that what you consider it? I pray that you don’t.

John R. W. Stott asks in, The Cross of Christ, why the cross emerged as the symbol of Christ. Why did the early Christians not choose a crib where he was born, or a boat where he preached, or the towels with which he washed his dirty feet, or the stone rolled away from the tomb where he rose on the third day? Stott later answers that while Jesus’ birth, life, preaching, and resurrection are all vital parts; it is his crucifixion that is absolutely central to knowing Him, and the key for the Christian movement today; but, why? What do we really see in the Cross of Christ? Is it death, pain, suffering? Yes, but in His death we also see, unconditional love, forgiveness and a new life through Him!

The Bible tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10, NIV) Jesus also makes this clear when He stated, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NKJV) Jesus views us as friends, and laid down His life upon that cross for you and for me!

When we look back upon the brutality and physical pain, noted here in these verses, Christ had to face to in order to redeem us, how do you feel? When I look upon these verses I feel horrible, I think of all my past sins and the suffering He went through for me, I think maybe He was thinking, ‘This ones for you Alex!” or, “Alex, I love you this much!”; then, I think…. would I have done it for Him?

No one in history could ever, or would ever want to or wish to amount up to what Christ did for us on that hill of Calvary, hanging on a rough wooden cross for six hours, between two criminals, taking the full burden of all our sins upon himself. Not only simply taking on the full burden of them, but doing away with them completely; past, present, and future; all this to show us His love for us!

I like the way that Max Lucado, one of my favorite Christian writers and pastor, sums God’s love in his book, “He Chose the Nails.”

He states, “But God’s list contains the name of every person who ever lived. For this is the scope of his love. And this is the reason for the cross. He loves the world…”

Max goes on to state, “as boldly as the center beam proclaims God’s holiness, the crossbeam declares his love. And, oh, how wide his love reaches.” John chapter 3 verse 16 states, “For God so LOVED the World that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

When we love someone, we give to them gifts, right? When you know it is someone’s birthday, we tend to run out and get them a card, or a small gift to show them that we care about them, and love them. Here we see the ultimate gift that no one here on earth could ever top! Sure, there have been some fabulous gifts given by people. Some seem to top the chart as the greatest gift one could ever receive (BMW, Boat, Cruises, etc.)

We all remember that Oprah show in which she gave to the entire audience brand new cars, people and talk show hosts ranted and raved about that awesome free gift that she had given; but, not even that can compare to what Christ has done for us; especially since we deserve so much less than that; we deserved death. However, in the cross we end up with a greater free gift, eternal life with Him!

This 85 year old couple, having been married almost 60 years, had died in a car crash. They had been in good health the last ten years mainly due to her interest in health food, and exercise. When they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen and master bath suite and Jacuzzi. As they “oohed and aahed” the old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. “It’s free,” Peter replied, “this is Heaven.” Next they went out back to survey the championship golf course that the home backed up to. They would have golfing privileges everyday and each week the course changed to a new one representing the great golf courses on earth. The old man asked, “what are the green fees?”. Peter’s reply, “This is heaven, you play for free.” Next they went to the club house and saw the lavish buffet lunch with the cuisines of the world laid out. “How much to eat?” asked the old man.”Don’t you understand yet? This is heaven, it is free!” Peter replied with some exasperation.”Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol tables?” the old man asked timidly. Peter lectured, “That’s the best part…you can eat as much as you like of whatever you like and you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven.” With that the old man went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, and shrieking wildly. Peter and his wife both tried to calm him down, asking him what was wrong. The old man looked at his wife and said, “This is all your fault. If it weren’t for your blasted bran muffins, I could have been here ten years ago!”

Therefore, now when we look at the cross, I pray we will see the gift of life and forgiveness, but, though the gift is free to all men and women it is something that we have to accept. So, in the cross we also see a dividing line between belief and unbelief. When we begin to actual search the scriptures we have just read, we can see two main sets of people who are on opposing sides; one for belief, the others for unbelief. Who are these people? Well, I believe that belief is shown through the disciples and those who stayed by Jesus’ side through the thick and thin; whereas, unbelief is shown through those who continue to mock Him and yell obscene things towards Him (the crowd, guards, High Priests, etc.). When you hear this, what side do you see yourself on? An atheist was walking through the woods, admiring all that the “accidents” that evolution had created. “What majestic trees!, What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!”, he said to himself. As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning to look, he saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw the grizzly was closing.

Somehow, he ran even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes. He looked again and the bear was even closer. His heart was pounding and he tried to run faster. He tripped and fell to the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but the bear was right over him, reaching for him with its left paw and raising its right paw strike him. At that instant the atheist cried, “Oh my God!….” Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving. As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, “You deny my existence for all these years, teach others that I don’t exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?” The atheist looked directly into the light, ” It would be hypocritical to ask to be a Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?” “Very well” said the voice. The light went out. The river ran. The sounds of the forest resumed. ….and then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together and bowed its head and spoke: “Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful.” Unlike this man, do you see yourself accepting his sacrifice and truly desiring to be with the Lord, or do you see yourself as one who denies His free gift on that cross for you and me despite all that you have heard? I desire, and pray that all would say that they truly desire to be with the Lord and accept His sacrifice; that no one would leave this place today without making that personal commitment to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior! Perhaps you have been on the side of unbelief for several years, perhaps from childhood. Maybe, you have never really heard the gospel message preached to you in a way that you could actually visualize and comprehend what it’s true meaning and purpose is…

If you feel today, while hearing this, that you are in need of a Savior, and that you want this free gift of eternal life then the first step is to cry out to him, and ask him to come and be the LOVE, and the LORD of your life.

The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9,10, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart, God raised him from the dead, you will be saved!! For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved!!”

So, what are you waiting for? If you’d like to accept Christ; then by all means, please join me in this simple prayer of acceptance, asking Jesus into your heart, mind, and soul.

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner, I take this time to confess all my sins to you, and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart, my mind, and my soul. Lord, take complete control, and be the LORD of my life. In your son’s precious holy name, AMEN.”

If you prayed that prayer along with me, I’d like to announce that today, the moment you prayed that prayer accepting Christ into your life the Bible says,“…there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner represents.” (Luke 15:10)

Just like that, you are forgiven, and adopted into God’s family, no questions asked, no strings attached; although, there are several things that you should do to continue to grow in a relationship with God.

Read the Bible This is God’s love letter to you. It also provides us with a foundation for relationships with others, and tells us about attitudes, motivation and truth. It is important to know, and enlist the principles in the Bible into your life; they keep you on the right way and allow us to make sound judgments concerning people and doctrine.
Pray In any relationship communication is important, priority factor. God desires to communicate with each of us. Prayer is not just a forum for requests. God wants to hear our feelings, hurts, ambitions and joys. Through this he is able to change and refine those parts of us that need it.
Have Fellowship Get plugged into a church or local group that studies the bible. As we begin to share with others what we have learned from the Bible and prayer, we encourage others to grow and ourselves. Fellowship as God planned it is not a clicke or special club designed for gossip. We must be careful to keep our conversations with others honest. It’s best described as a fire. One coal alone dies down quickly, but a mound of coals burn white hot, just as one Christian alone will struggle to stay ‘on fire’, while a group together keeps each other hot.
Witness “Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). Jesus gave this as a command, not an option. God has chosen all Christians to be agents of His gospel. We are either missionaries or mission fields. That does not mean that everyone should travel to different countries, but it does mean that no matter where go we should be prepared in life and in word to be ambassadors for Christ. “Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:9)

May God continue to bless you now, as you grow in your new life with HIM!