John 19 NLT
The Crucifixion
16b So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed Him to the cross. Two others were crucified with Him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. 21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among the four of them. They also took His robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”So that is what they did. 25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And He said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
This description glosses over the crucifixion, not revealing the brutality of it and the suffering Jesus endured. Let's not forget the extreme humiliation, pain and suffering Jesus endured. My thought is this description doesn't reveal those aspects because the writer wants to focus on something else this text reveals.
The prophecy fulfillment. Psalm 22 was written by King David approximately 1000 years before Christ was born and 700 years before crucifixion was first used.
Psalm 22:18 "They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing."
And in John 19:23 "When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among the four of them. They also took His robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.”
The robe was seamless, woven from top to bottom. It was perfectly woven, without flaw. It was unique and one of a kind. Mary probably made this robe for Jesus when He left home to begin His ministry. That was the customs of the time, to send their sons off into the world with a new suit of clothing. It was woven with love, woven with hope of the future. How Mary must have prayed for Jesus, her Son, as she created this garment. The Roman soldiers destroyed His physical body but not His robe and not His Spirit.
The world can destroy our physical bodies. The world world cannot destroy our robe of righteousness, given to us when we became saved. Jesus made this robe for us, woven from top to bottom when He came from Heaven to earth, when He came to die for our sin. It's the robe He created for us of His blood. It covers our sin and protects us as we go out into the world to share the Gospel.
Once again, we need not fear. Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Blessings, Cecilia
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