Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
In His Footsteps Week 24: The Crucifixion and Death
What if the events of a single day could change the course of history forever? Join us on Living Words Podcast as we explore John 19:17-42, delving into the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. We'll uncover the deep theological implications of these monumental moments, from the fulfillment of ancient prophecies to the profound display of God's sacrificial love. Discover the significance behind the inscription proclaiming Jesus' kingship and the careful preservation of his robe. Reflect on his compassionate act of entrusting his mother to his beloved disciple and the powerful declaration, "It is finished," signifying the completion of his divine mission and victory over death.
In the second part of our episode, we'll guide you through a heartfelt prayer inspired by Jesus' unparalleled compassion during his suffering. Learn how to cultivate a heart that mirrors His love, staying attentive to the needs of those around you and acting with kindness and responsibility. This prayer aims to help you find comfort and peace in God's care while reflecting His concern in your daily life. We wrap up with a blessing for a good week, inspiring you to embody and share His love with others. Tune in for an episode filled with deep reflections and practical insights to enrich your spiritual journey.
Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.
Good morning and happy Sabbath. Today is the 23rd week in our devotional In His Footsteps 52 Weeks in the Gospel of John. I'm Charles Vance and this is Living Words Podcast and if you want a copy of this devotional, you can find it in the show notes, a link to it in the show notes, or you can find it on Amazon. Charles Vance In His Footsteps 52 Weeks in the Gospel of John. So week 24 is crucifixion and death of Jesus and the text for the week is John 19, 17 through 42. Even though you know I'm going through this devotional and I'm reading it, basically, but I want to be as spontaneous and natural as I can be. This is really about finding the heart of Jesus, finding a way to transform our lives in such a way that we can improve our relationship with him and with others. So I'm going to try to be sensitive to that. Obviously, there have a. Obviously there's a schedule, there's a pattern to this, but you know I also want to leave room for spontaneity. So I don't know if I may read the scripture. I may not read the scripture. I may read it in King James, I may read it in New King James, I may read it in from the Peshitta, you know so it I'm going to leave it open to the flow of the Spirit. So, john 19, 17 through 42,. It details the crucifixion, death and burial of Christ, marking the culmination of his earthly ministry, and it is the central event in Christian history. The passage is rich with theological depth, prophetic fulfillment, and it underscores the sacrificial love that Christ has in his divine redemption, the divine plan for redemption. You know, the death and crucifixion is only half of the story, though. See, if you just leave it at crucifixion and death, then he was just a good guy and he died and it's just too bad. You know, there's nothing else. That's the natural secular viewpoint. You know, if you're an atheist, if you're an agnostic, if you're a secularist, if you're just a humanist, and you just say that, you know, when you die, you're just, you go to the dirt, you become food for the worms. And I tell you that's why we don't leave it there. And that's why, because that's not the truth, that's why, you know, later we talk about the resurrection, because when you talk about the death and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, you also have to, in the same breath, talk about the resurrection, because that is the central theme. That is the story, that is what makes everything about Jesus Christ real and alive and meaningful is his resurrection, and the resurrection he promises to you if you're a believer in him. He led us, uh, so, jesus, he's led to golgotha. He's crucified between two others and there are some key moments and we know these are the two thieves the thief on the left and the right. But there was an inscription. You know, pilot placed the inscription above his head jesus of nazareth, king of the jews. It's in aramic, latin and Greek and it signifies his universal kingship. He is the Lord of Lords, he is the king of kings.
Speaker 1:The fulfillment of the scripture. The narrative highlights the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies, such as the division of his garment, the casting of lots and the underscoring of the divine orchestration. You know they didn't tear his robe. If they had torn his robe, his priesthood would have been nullified, as when Caiaphas rent his robe, he nullified his priesthood. Yeshua Jesus was the priest after a new order. He was the priest after the Melech Zadig order, the order of the righteous king. He is the Malak Zadig. The Malak Melchizedek is what you might hear in the more common phraseology, but it's two Hebrew words Malak, king Zadig, righteous. So he is the Malak Zadig priest and if they had torn his robes his priesthood would have been nullified. We see his care for his mother, so from the cross, he entrusts the care of his mother Mary to the disciple he loved. He emphasizes this, emphasizes his concern for relational bonds and responsibilities, even in final moments. And the completion of the mission and he said it is finished signified the completion of the mission and he said it is finished signified the completion of his redemptive work.
Speaker 1:There are theological significance the sacrificial love of Jesus. His crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration of God's sacrificial love for humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation through his sacrifice. It signifies victory over death. Through the passage he details the death and burial, it sets the stage for the resurrection and it highlights the victory over death and sin. Prophetic fulfillment, the meticulous fulfillment of prophecy throughout the crucifixion narrative underscores the sovereignty of God and redolability of scripture. And you cannot understand in full depth the true context and the true meaning of just how complex the meticulous fulfillment of that prophecy was because to the very moment, you would have to understand the feasts from the Hebrew perspective, the Passover, all of the things that happened that synchronized to the moment exactly what Jesus, as the Lamb of God, was going through. This was a rehearsal that had been done for thousands of years, and it was fulfilled to the second and it was fulfilled to the second.
Speaker 1:Some lessons to be learned from the death and crucifixion of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice of love. His crucifixion represents the ultimate expression of God's sacrificial love for us. His willing submission to death on a cross for the sake of sin illustrates a love that is incomprehensible in depth and breadth. This act of love invites us to respond in gratitude, devotion and commitment to live our lives in a manner that honors His sacrifice. John 19.30,. When he had received the drink, jesus said it is finished, and with that he bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Another lesson is the fulfillment of scripture and divine sovereignty. Events of his death, including the casting of lots for his garments and his side being pierced without breaking his bones, all fulfilled Old Testament prophecies showcasing the divine sovereignty.
Speaker 1:Over the course of human history Underscoring God's redemptive plan has been unfolding according to His perfect will and timing, care and concern and suffering, and even in the midst of his own agony, he demonstrated care and concern for the well-being of others, specifically entrusting the care of his mother to the beloved disciple. This act of compassion amidst suffering teaches us about the importance of community relational responsibilities and looking beyond our pain to attend to the needs of those around us. In John 19, 26 and 27, when Jesus saw his mother there and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her woman here is your son. And to the disciple here is your mother. And from that time on, that disciple took her into his home.
Speaker 1:Questions for reflection. Reflect on his declaration it is finished. What does that statement signify? But the nature and accomplishment of his mission? It's finished means it's a finished work. It means we don't need new prophecy declared to us fresh. It's been done. The prophetic word of Jesus is complete. There isn't new revelation in the form that some might think. I think there's new revelation in the form that the book of Acts is still being written, but I don't believe that there's new divine revelation, as Jesus himself would do, because he is alive in our heart now and he's revealing his word that he's already given us.
Speaker 1:Some suggested prayers. There's a prayer for gratitude and devotion. Lord Jesus, I stand in awe of the depth of your love displayed on the cross for my sake. Your sacrifice, a testament to divine love, compels my heart to respond in gratitude. Teach me to live a life of devotion, honoring the sacrifice you made. May my words, actions and thoughts reflect a heart transformed by your love, and let me never lose sight of the gift of salvation you freely offer. Amen.
Speaker 1:Prayer for Trust in God's Sovereignty. Heavenly Father, in the narrative of your Son's crucifixion I see the fulfillment of your words, the unfolding of your redemptive plan. This strengthens my trust in your sovereignty and the authority of Scripture. Help me to rest in the assurance that you're in control, guiding history in my life towards your perfect will. Increase my faith, especially in moments of uncertainty, to trust in your promises and your timing.
Speaker 1:Amen, and a prayer for compassion and care. Holy Spirit, in the midst of His own suffering, jesus showed profound concern for others, teaching us the importance of compassion and care even in our hardest moments. Cultivate in me a heart that mirrors this compassion, attentive to the needs of those around me. Empower me to act with kindness and responsibility, bearing one another's burdens in love. May my life reflect your care and concern, drawing others closer to the comfort found in you. Amen. My prayer is to go with you this week and just in your life, that you would find comfort and peace in his care. He cares for you, he died for you, he rose again for you and he's there now with you and for you. I just pray to have a good week and you show his name. Go forth. Amen, and I'll see you next time.
