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Study No.20 :   Crucified  :  John 19:17-24

   

A. Find Out:

        

1. What did Jesus have to do? v.17

2. How was Jesus crucified? v.18

3. What did Pilate have written? v.19,20

4. Who protested in what way? v.21

5. What was Pilate's response? v.22

6. What also happened and why? v.23,24

 

B. Think:

Think about WHO this was happening to!

C. Comment:

     The facts are simple: they crucified the sinless Son of God by hanging him from a cross for hours, probably having nailed him to it through his wrists and feet so that his hung there in excruciating pain, hardly able to breath, in the hot sun with the crowd taunting him. When we read this passage it leaves us wanting to hide away in a corner in shame because of what we, mankind, did to Jesus. Pilate put a sign above him for all to see displaying in contempt “King of the Jews”. The religious leaders objected and Pilate ignored the objection. The soldiers fulfilled prophecy by casting lots for Jesus' coat. Those are the facts of this passage. John is very sparing with his details, he simply wants to confirm the basic facts given by the other Gospels, they are left to fill in more details.

     Remember what we have here: facts of history. This actually happened nearly two thousand years ago. It is these facts and these facts alone the make it possible for you to be accepted by God today, sinner that you are. God doesn't turn a blind eye, but as the judge of the world He looks and sees Jesus taking YOUR punishment on the Cross and therefore declares you freed; the punishment has been taken, there is no more to be said about your wrongs (sins). The way is open for you now to receive all the goodness of heaven because all your badness, guilt and shame was taken by Jesus on the Cross.

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus died - in extreme pain - to take my punishment!

2. I owe him everything.

Study No.21 :   The End  :  John 19:25-30

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who were standing nearby? v.25

2. Who also did Jesus see there? v.26a

3. What 2 statements did Jesus make with what result? v.26b,27

4. As he hung there what else did he say? v.28

5. So then what happened? v.29

6. After he had drunk, what did Jesus do? v.30

 

B. Think:

1. What is the point of Jesus words to those close to him?

2. What does John indicate about the manner of Jesus' actual death?

3. What does this passage show about Jesus' control over the situation?

C. Comment:

     John again leaves out many of the details given in the Synoptic Gospels, he doesn't need to repeat them, they are well known already. Instead he gives the barest of details. First he picks up a detail the others had missed because it involved him. He (referred to as ‘the disciple whom he loved') was standing near the Cross with several of the women who had been especially close to Jesus. Even as he is hanging there, Jesus looks down and through his pain he gives a cryptic instruction to John to take his place and look after Mary for him. Jesus shows care even in the midst of agony.

     John then picks up on the detail two of the others had mentioned, that of Jesus being offered vinegar (or sour wine that the soldiers used) on the Cross. John shows that this was given in response to Jesus' apparent plea, yet that it was in fact to ensure that even the most minute detail of prophecy was fulfilled (see Psa 69:21). And then he gave up or relinquished his spirit and died. John is clear that this was an act of the will, for he has decreed that all had been done as was planned from the beginning (see Rev 13:8) in the utterance, “It is finished”. In complete control at every moment, Jesus acts out every detail of the divine plan and then departs!

 

D. Application:

1. Even on the Cross Jesus was in complete control. Incredible!

2. Even on the Cross Jesus shows care and concern. Wonderful!

Study No.22 :   Death Confirmed  :  John 19:31-37

A. Find Out:

          

1. What day was just coming? v.31a

2. So what did the Jews want to happen? v.31b

3. What did the soldiers find when they went to do it? v.32,33

4. So what did they do instead to Jesus? v.34

5. What does John say about all this? v.35

6. How did he view these events? v.36,37

 

B. Think:

1. Look up Ex 12:46 / Num 9:12 / Psa 34:20 / Zech 12:10

2. What are the key points John is making in this passage?

C. Comment:

     Roman soldiers were part of one of the most harsh disciplinary regimes in history. When they were given a job to do they did it, or paid the consequences! They knew death when they saw it and when they came to Jesus, he was dead! Their reason for having to check was quite clear: the Jewish authorities were concerned that the next day, Saturday, was special Sabbath, the start of the week of celebration, and this would be spoiled by the sight of these men still hanging outside the city. Their execution would have to be ended quickly. The way it was done was to break the legs of the person on the cross. It has been suggested that this would bring death through two possible ways. First the shear shock of the pain could cause heart shock, and second the stretched hanging body on the cross would make breathing impossible and death by suffocation would immediately follow.

    As the soldiers come to Jesus they realise he is dead already but one of them (to make sure?) thrusts his spear up into Jesus' side and all the liquid surrounding the heart gushed out. John is saying to us that Jesus gave up his life and then the soldiers guaranteed the death in this manner. John sees this as a clear fulfilment of the prophecies of the Old Testament that Jewish scholars had pondered over for so long, as pictured in the Passover lamb. This was THE lamb being offered.

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus died! The evidence clearly denies any alternative.

2. Every part of his death fulfilled prophecy from centuries back.

  

Study No.23 :   Burial  :  John 19:38-42

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who asked Pilate for Jesus' body? v.38

2. Who also came with him? v.39a

3. What had he brought with him? v.39b

4. What did they do with Jesus' body? v.40

5. What was there nearby? v.41

6. Why did they put Jesus there? v.42

 

B. Think:

1. Read Lk 23:50 ,51 and Jn 3:1 What were the similarities between

    Joseph and Nicodemus?

2. Read Mt. 27:59,60 What else do we know about the tomb?

3. Read Isa 53:9 How was this a prophetic fulfilment?

C. Comment:

     We have already quoted the dictum, “Bad men succeed when good men stay silent”, and we are now left wondering what would have happened if these two good men had spoken out earlier. Joseph and Nicodemus are both members of the ruling religious council, both were followers of Jesus, both remained silent and both allowed the bad men's counsel to prevail. As it happens, it WAS God's will for Jesus to be put to death but that is no excuse for remaining silent. Yet now the two of them come out into the open and ask for the body and take and bury it. Their actions would have come to the ears of the other authorities but now that doesn't matter. These two good but silent men are past worrying about what others think, they must be stricken with guilt and shame and remorse. We sometimes need to go through such a crisis before we will stop worrying about what others will think!

      Time was running out on the day and the Sabbath was coming so they hastily put the body into Joseph's own tomb, embalm it as was the custom and seal the tomb. Prophecy has been fulfilled yet again. Every step of the way the decreed purpose of God is being worked out just as He said it would be. Amazing!

 

D. Application:

1. Do we need a crisis before we will speak up for good?

2. God will take even our wrongs (silence) for His purposes.

   

Study No.24 :  The Body has Gone  :   John 20:1-9

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who went when and found what? v.1

2. Who did she tell what? v.2

3. What was their response and what happened? v.3,4

4. What did the first disciple do and see? v.5

5. What did Peter do and see? v.6,7

6. What did the other disciple then do? v.8

 

B. Think:

1. What was Mary's response?

2. How are the different characters of Peter & John shown?

3. What different levels of understanding do the three have?

C. Comment:

     Three people and three responses. Mary Magdalene sees the body gone and assumes grave robbers, and so goes to tell the men. She will shortly have her particular encounter with the Lord but for the moment she is in unbelief.

    Peter comes with John but is outrun by him, but when he arrives at the tomb, goes plunging in to see fully for himself. According to Luke, (Lk 24:12) Peter left wondering what had happened. He is in a perplexed state. John, who had come with Peter, had arrived before him but had held back from actually going into the tomb and saw just the strips of linen lying there. His thoughts were inconclusive.

     Once Peter has led the way into the tomb, John then follows and once in the tomb he also sees the cloth that had been around Jesus head, neatly folded up and put to one side. Something about that, perhaps, seemed to create in him a picture of Jesus coming back to life and first of all taking the cloth off from around his face and putting it neatly aside before he unwound all the rest of the burial strips which he then just left in a heap near the entrance of the tomb. John believes! But, he is willing to confess, it wasn't because he realised it was all in accord with the prophetic Scriptures, for he was still blind to them at that moment. Yet something tells him it HAS happened.

 

D. Application:

1. Different people come to faith in different ways. Some take longer.

2. Jesus Christ died and DID rise from the dead. He IS alive!

Study No.25 :   Mary Encounters Jesus  :  John 20:10-18

A. Find Out:

           

1. What did Mary do and see? v.11,12

2. What did they ask and what did she reply? v.13

3. Who did she then see but who did she think he was? v.14,15b

4. What did he ask and what did she reply? v.15

5. What seemed to open her eyes and what did he command? v.16,17

6. What did Mary then do? v.18

 

B. Think:

1. How many questions was Mary asked and what were they?

2. What did her replies indicate?

3. Yet what seemed to bring the truth to her?

C. Comment:

     If Peter denied Jesus three times, Mary Magdalene stated her unbelief three times (v.2,13,15). She had been with the disciples, she had heard Jesus teaching them that he would rise from the dead, yet we see her with her mind firmly fixed in her grief. Mary had clearly loved Jesus deeply for she owed him much (see Lk 8:2). She had been there at the Cross (see 19:25 ) and she had come at first light to see if she could minister to the body. The other Gospels indicate that she was not alone in her actions, but John highlights her as if, although she did have company, in her grief she just felt totally alone. In her grief therefore, she is completely locked into her belief that Jesus is dead. How often do we allow our emotions to lock us into untruth?

      She encounters angels and turns away from them; she encounters Jesus and just cross examines him. It seems she is in a daze that means she misses the wonder of all that is before her. Grief can do that! Then Jesus speaks that one intimate word, her name, and suddenly her darkness is pierced and she realises who it is. Joy and relief! Hold on, says Jesus, I know you want me never to leave you again, but it can't be like that yet. I've got to go to Father and then (implied), I'll be with you by my Spirit for ever.

 

D. Application:

1. Grief blinds us to the truth.

2. Strong emotion often holds us in unbelief.

 

    

Study No.26 :   Jesus comes to the Disciples  :  John 20:19-23

A. Find Out:

        

1. Where were the disciples when? v.19a

2. How did Jesus come and what did he say? v.19b

3. What did he do and how did the disciples respond? v.20

4. What did he then say? v.21

5. What did he then say and do? v.22

6. What did he finally tell them? v.23

 

B. Think:

1. What was remarkable about how Jesus came to them?

2. How did he convince them who he was?

3. How did he explain their commission?

C. Comment:

     It is later on in that same day, Sunday, that Jesus comes and now shows himself to all the gathered disciples. The first thing to note is the amazing way he comes. The doors are locked but he just appears in the room. The body he has now is obviously not limited in the way it had been before. Yet he is not a ghost for, as we'll see tomorrow he doesn't mind them actually touching him.

     The second thing to note is the way that he immediately seeks to calm their fears. They were probably all aware of their having failed him at his point of greatest need, when they all deserted him and left him to the authorities. But he is not there to condemn, only to send! So twice he says, be at peace! Again and again we fear the Lord is coming to tell us off, but again and again he comes to affirm and send us again to do the work!

    Whether he actually imparts the Holy Spirit here, when he breathes on them, is questionable. It certainly happened on the day of Pentecost and so it is more probable that here he was simply giving them a graphical forewarning or even instruction as to what was to happen to them. Under the empowering of the Holy Spirit they would do the works he had done and assess and bring forgiveness as he did.

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus comes to encourage, build and send us, not condemn!

2. He imparts his Spirit to enable us to do his works.

Study No.27 :   Thomas Believes  :  John 20:24-31

A. Find Out:

        

1. How had Thomas missed out? v.24

2. What was his response to the other disciples? v.25

3. When and how did Jesus come to them again? v.26

4. What did Jesus tell Thomas to do? v.27

5. What was Thomas's response? v.28

6. Why did John say he had written these things? v.30,31

 

B. Think:

1. How did Jesus meet Thomas at his exact point of doubt?

2. How did he gently rebuke Thomas?

3. What indication is there that John was thinking of finishing here?

C. Comment:

     When Jesus had come Thomas had not been there. Jesus did not stay (we don't know what he did in between visitations), and so when Thomas came back and was told what had happened, he basically assumed they had all been imagining it. We noted in a previous study how some of the others had had trouble believing; now it's Thomas's turn! It is a week later that Jesus comes again. Again we don't know what the disciples did in that week but all we are told is that a week later they are still together and they are still behind locked doors. Jesus just appears in the room as he had done previously and now Thomas has no further reason to doubt.

     The way Jesus speaks to him indicates that he knew exactly what Thomas had said a week ago and he meets him head on. OK, he says, here I am, feel me and stop doubting! Thomas believes and makes a strong declaration - “My Lord and my God!”. Excellent, says Jesus, but even better in the days to come when people can say that without having seen me! That's right, almost adds John by implication, and I've written all these things so that when you read you will believe. So do we believe? This Gospel of John has been specifically written to help us believe.

 

D. Application:

1. Thomas saw Jesus in the flesh, we see him in his word.

2. Thomas believed. We are called to believe. Do we?

Study No.28 :  A Repeat Performance  :   John 21:1-6

A. Find Out:

        

1. Where did this take place? v.1

2. Who were there & who suggested what with what result? v.2,3

3. When did Jesus come and what did he ask? v.4,5

4. What did he tell them to do? v.6a

5. With what result? v.6b

6. Read Luke 5:4-11 What happened then?

 

B. Think:

1. Why do you think they went fishing?

2. How might Peter have had a sense of “I've been here before”?

3. Why, therefore, do you think Jesus did this?

C. Comment:

     Chapter 21 is unique to John's Gospel and in it he records a very intimate and personal encounter that Peter had with Jesus (perhaps by the time he wrote it Peter had died and fulfilled Jesus' prophecy in this chapter). The other Gospels tell us that Jesus told the disciples to go back up to Galilee to wait for him (see Matt 28:10). When they get there, there is no sign of Jesus and so after a while the impatient Peter decides he's off to do what he used to do, to go fishing. The others go along with this suggestion and go with him and they take their old boat out again and do what they had done hundreds of times before - but to no avail! By the time dawn comes they are tired and weary and have nothing!

     And then Jesus comes! At first they don't realise it is him. Whether it is because it is still semi-dark, or because they simply weren't expecting him, or because there was something else about him, we don't know. He makes a suggestion to them which they follow. Why did they take instructions from a stranger? We aren't told, perhaps it was just an indication of their tiredness, but they did it and found a tremendous catch! At this point Peter must have thought, “I've been here before”, and remembered his initial call. Jesus is preparing his man for an important conversation!

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus often takes us back to a previous encounter. We need it!

2. He comes in grace and love and gentleness. Don't forget it.

Study No.29 :  On the Beach  :   John 21:7-14

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who first recognised Jesus? v.7a

2. What did Peter do and what did the others do? v.7b,8

3. What did they find Jesus doing and what did he say? v.9,10

4. Who responded and did what? v.11

5. What did Jesus say and do? v.12,13

6. How many times had Jesus appeared to them all? v.14

 

B. Think:

1. How does Peter's character appear in this passage?

2. What does the picture surrounding Jesus convey?

3. How is the being of Jesus still obviously different from before death?

C. Comment:

      Note first of all the “strangeness” of Jesus. Remember that Mary had not recognised Jesus to start with. Luke records the two men on the road to Emmaus not being able to perceive who it was with them, and now the disciples seem unable to see who it is. It is only the one who is the closest to Jesus who seems able to discern who it is. There almost seems a spiritual dimension to this, whereby only those closest to Jesus, who see or hear something from the past that triggers off recognition. Closeness to him is a key to recognition it seems.

      Observe next the atmosphere that Jesus seems to create: he is on the beach, with a fish meal prepared. There is a sense of peace and order about this. When you want to have a difficult talk with someone, then having a meal together is often a good environment in which to have it. Jesus seeks to bring a sense of peace to the disturbed and tired disciples-cum-fishermen.

      See finally, Peter's actions in all this. He wasn't the first one to recognise Jesus but once Jesus was pointed out to him he was off like a shot to get to him. For him now, it doesn't matter about the catch of fish, only that he gets to Jesus. Perhaps there is a sense of urgent need to meet the Lord to make amends. We will see.

 

D. Application:

1. Those whose hearts are looking for Jesus, see him first.

2. Jesus comes to bring peace and restoration to us.

Study No.30 :  Questions for Peter  :   John 21:15-19

A. Find Out:

        

1. What did Jesus first ask Peter and then tell Peter to do? v.15a,c

2. What did Jesus then ask Peter and tell Peter to do? v.16a,c

3. What did he ask then ask Peter and what did Peter feel? v.17a,b

4. What did he then tell Peter to do? v.17c

5. What did Jesus say would happen to Peter? v.18,19a

6. What did he tell him to do finally? v.19b

 

B. Think:

The Greek for “love” in Jesus' questions in verses 15a & 16a means “deep love”. All the other Greek words for love in this passage indicate “affection”. What sort of slant does this put on the direction of the questioning?

 

C. Comment:

      Observe the direction of the questioning:

1) Peter do you love me more than the rest of these, then,

2) Peter do you really love me? and finally,

3) well Peter, do you have affection for me.

     Now note the answers:

1) Lord, I have feeling for you but I don't want to compare myself with

     these others, then

2) Well Lord I wouldn't go as far as that, but I do have feeling for you and

     finally,

3) Lord you know me, you know I do have feeling for you.

     Now why this order?

     When Jesus asks questions it's not to find out answers because he knows them all the time. It is to make us become aware of the answers. Peter is no longer the bold and brash leader he once was. He is humbled and broken and no longer self-confident.

     Now look at the keys to what is happening here. They are Jesus' instructions following Peter's answers:

1) feed young believers,

2) take care of older believers, and

3) feed older believers.

    Feeding young Christians only requires simple knowledge and understanding. Caring for older believers requires a measure of wisdom, sensitivity and compassion, feeding older believers requires much maturity. This is growth in responsibility. The more Peter is able to face the truth about himself and his weakness, the more the Lord entrusts to him.

 

D. Application:

To carry spiritual responsibility requires facing the truth about me.

Study No.31 :  Mind your own Business!   :   John 21:20-25

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who did Peter ask about? v.20,21

2. How did Jesus reply to Peter's question? v.22

3. What rumour spread but what was the truth? v.23

4. Who is it that wrote this Gospel? v.24

5. How does he describe the other things Jesus did? v.25

 

B. Think:

1. What did Peter want to know?

2. But what, essentially, was Jesus saying to him?

3. What does John indicate about his Gospel?

C. Comment:

     At various times in this Gospel, John refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Now it may well be that Jesus loved all the disciples (as he surely did), but what it indicates is that John was particularly aware of being loved by the Lord. This love of Jesus is the one thing that comes over again and again in John's Gospel and his letters. There also have been a special closeness between Jesus & John for certainly there were the “inner four disciples” and it may be that he did in fact, knowing John's future, show special care for John.

     In this passage Jesus prophesies Peter's end which, tradition tells us, was that he was crucified for his faith, though upside down as he refused to go the same way as his Lord! John's future is perhaps hinted at here, for he was the only one who, we believe, did not die a violent martyr's death. It is in his old age that he writes and others are there to verify his acceptance as a witness.

      Finally, says John as he goes to end this Gospel, the things that I've written are jut a few of the things that Jesus did while here upon earth; I've picked out just a few for if I wrote everything he did (and it was so much!) we wouldn't have room for all the books that would have to be written. So we may see this book as a taster or introduction to the glorious things the Son of God did while here.

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus knows my future. I may rest in it.

2. Jesus loves me uniquely. I may rejoice in that.

RECAP No.4  "Death & Resurrection"  John 19-21

SUMMARY :  

      

In this last group of 12 studies we have seen :

- Jesus being crucified

- Jesus handing Mary into John's care

- Jesus giving himself up to death

- Joseph and Nicodemus burying the body

- Mary Magdalene coming on the Sunday to the tomb

- Mary finding the body gone and telling the disciples

- Peter & John coming to see for themselves

- Jesus appearing to Mary

- Jesus appearing to the disciples in a closed room

- Jesus appearing again to them and Thomas

- Jesus appearing to the disciples in Galilee

- Jesus commissioning Peter

 

COMMENT :

      These chapters are the record of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the facts are incontrovertible. But these chapters are more than that. They are a record against the human race. They tell of the actions and reactions of so many people. They tell of Annas, Caiaphas and Pilate and their henchmen who were all involved in bringing about the death of Jesus, of Joseph and Nicodemus who sought to make up by burying the body, of the disciples hidden away behind locked doors in fear of their lives, in shame for their cowardice, and they tell of the slowness of the disciples to believe that Jesus has risen. Yes they describe all of us very well!

 

LESSONS?

1. It was religious bigotry that crucified Jesus

2. It was human indifference that crucified Jesus

3. It was the power of God that raised him form the dead

4. It was all the grace and mercy of God towards us!

 

PRAY :

     Thank the Lord for the wonderful truths here: He died to save us. He took our sin and used it to bring salvation. praise him!

SUMMARY

In these last seven chapters of John's Gospel we have seen:

 

1. The Last Supper Discourse

- teaching on love & fruitfulness

- teaching about opposition and the help of the Holy Spirit

 

2. Jesus Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

- praying for himself

- praying for his present disciples

- praying for his future followers

 

3. Jesus' Arrest & Trial

- Judas betraying him to the authorities

- Peter wielding a sword

- Being taken before Annas

- Being taken before Caiaphas

- Peter denying Jesus three times

- Being taken before Pilate

- Pilate's attempts at releasing Jesus

- Pilate eventually submitting to the pressure of the crowd

- Pilate giving Jesus over to be crucified

 

4. Jesus' Death & Burial

- Being crucified

- Jesus putting Mary into John's care

- Jesus giving himself up to death

- the guards piercing his body but not breaking the bones

- Joseph and Nicodemus taking and burying the body

 

5. Jesus' Resurrection Appearances

- Mary, Peter & John coming to the tomb

- Mary seeing Jesus

- Jesus coming to the disciples without & with Thomas

- Jesus coming to the fishing disciples in Galilee

- Dialogue with Peter, commissioning him afresh

- Jesus' prophecies about Peter & John's futures

  

CONCLUSION

     As we come to the end of this Series of Studies, and to the end of John's Gospel, the following are perhaps some of the things we should note:

 

1. The Peculiarities of John's Gospel

      This Gospel is different in many ways from Matthew, Mark and Luke. In the chapters we have just read, the passages that are unique to John are the Last Supper Discourse, Jesus' Prayer, Jesus handing Mary over to John for safe keeping at the Cross, and the whole of the encounter with Jesus in Galilee . As John wrote considerably later than the others, these additional details are completely in keeping with John's desire to record some of the more intimate details of their encounters with Jesus that the others had omitted. Again he does not bother to restate many of the details that they had noted, not because they were not true but simply because John did not deem it necessary to repeat what was already well known. He includes just sufficient of that which is similar to their accounts to avoid any supposition that he is writing a completely different story! All of these things help establish the integrity of John's Gospel and his concern to be seen as an accurate witness to the things that had occurred many years before.

 

2. The Intimacy of these Accounts

      For the reasons given above the details in the chapter we have just read have a very much more personal and intimate ring to them than those recorded in the other Gospels. John maintains, I was there, I saw it all, it is true (see also 1 John 1:1-3) . These things recorded here show us things “on the inside”. This Gospel written near the end of the first century gives us added confidence in the truth and wonder of the historical accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They also show him very much as the man who was God. There is this amazing blend of the divine clothed in the human. We have seen the pastor showing care and concern for his flock, the teacher imparting knowledge for his disciples, and the son providing for his mother.

      In each of these things, Jesus not only brings us comfort and reassurance in his dealings with his followers, but he also sets us a powerful example to follow in all his dealing with people. Worship him, praise him, and thank him, for the wonder of these things!