Bible Text: John 19:4-30 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: He Did It For Love, He Did It For Me, John

Recap of 3/24/13 (John 19:4-30):
1.  The Jews insist on Jesus’ death.  Their charge against Him was blasphemy because He claimed to be equal to God, thus making Himself God.  He had indeed made that claim and if His claim were not true He would indeed be guilty of blasphemy.  But it is true He is God incarnate.  “He is either an imposter or Divine” (Erdman).  Those are the only choices.
2.  Pilate, out of self-interest, and in the interest of His position with Rome, condemns Jesus to death though he knows Him to be innocent.  Jesus had often warned in His teaching about the temptation to choose worldly success and acclaim over God’s approval.  This is a temptation we all face, especially those at the start of their careers.  A question we must ask ourselves is: “What am I willing to sacrifice for worldly success?”  It boils down to a question of priorities, choices, and goals.
3.  Jesus was crucified between two thieves, one of whom came to faith during the hours on the cross.  As he saw Jesus’ demeanor through-out the ordeal, an ordeal Jesus did not deserve, and as he heard Jesus repeatedly forgive those who treated Him so, he came to faith.
4.  From the cross just preceding His death, Jesus said “It is finished,” a Greek term found in the papyri of that day which meant “paid in full.”   The work of redemption was complete.  The price of sin had been fully paid.  As the innocent Lamb of God, Jesus suffered and fully paid the penalty of sin, our sin.  “the Greek word translated “It is finished!” was a familiar word in that day.  Bankers used it when the final payment had been made on a debt. Jesus completely paid the debt we owed, and it will be remembered against us no more forever. “  (Wiersbe)