John 19
by Philip Layton
Pilate has Jesus flogged, the crucified, after which Jesus is laid in a tomb
Discussion Questions
- Why did Pilate have Jesus flogged (v 1)? Was it a legal requirement, an attempt to win favour with the crowd or a last ditch attempt to save him from execution? The sign above Jesus on the cross differs slightly between Gospel accounts; verse 20 gives the reason why.
Share your thoughts below, or tweet about it with the #boundlessbible hashtag. Don't forget this week's Children's Challenge!
Going Deeper from 'Words of Life'
There is a green hill far away, Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified Who died to save us all.
(SASB 133)
The story is simple. Yet how profound! Jesus, living in order that he die, as a supreme sacrifice for us. It had to take place in order that we would have life eternal with him. Amazing!
This beautiful hymn was written actually for children, so they would understand the implications of Calvary for themselves. Cecil Frances (‘Fanny’) Alexander wanted even the youngest of people to know Jesus, and to take in what he has done for all of us. This hymn was placed in her book, Hymns for Little Children, which reached its 69th edition before the close of the 19th century.
We may not know, we cannot tell What pains he had to bear;
But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there. (v 2)
The hymn speaks of the deep pain Christ bore for us. It speaks of the necessity of the cross, for our forgiveness. It speaks of the desire for simply being good. It speaks of Christ’s supremacy:
There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate Of Heaven, and let us in. (v 4)
It goes on to speak of redemption and trust. But most of all, it speaks of his great love for us. Simple. Profound. Mysterious.
O dearly, dearly, has he loved And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood, And try his works to do. (v 5)
May these words touch our innermost being.
Beverly Ivany
Tags: John