There are occasionally Class Sessions when I do not even pick up the notes I have made! This was one of those times. The Holy Spirit just flooded my mind with thought after thought!

“31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.      36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”

I learned a new word this week … “crurifragium” … the shattering of the leg bones of victims of crucifixion … in order to hasten death.

But the soldiers did NOT attempt to break Jesus’ legs! One commentator called that fact a “Providential Passover!” (They passed over Jesus, passed Him by with their mallets!)

On Jesus’ unbroken bones …

Exodus 12:46 … Thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Numbers 9:12 … Leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the Passover.

Psalm 34:20 … He keepeth all his bones (of the righteous): not one of them is broken.

Verse 37 … Jesus “pierced!”

Zechariah 12:10 … And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Revelation 1:7 … Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Verse 34 … is this “blood and water incident” a miracle, another of John’s “signs?”

Moses’ first Miracle … Water and Blood (Nile)

Jesus’ last Miracle … Blood and Water!

I did say this … The repentant thief, though he got saved, he still had a lot of suffering to endure!

Acts 14:22 … Paul agrees … Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Pierced by a spear without hitting a bone, a single rib! God was certainly in control!

Watch the class with us now …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Our Bible Text, in three Paragraphs …

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

In our last Lesson we last saw 4 soldiers throwing dice, gambling. We now see 4 women keeping faith! (Five Believers around the Cross counting “the Disciple Jesus loved,” John we believe.)

How much “detail” do we owe these women (and John) concerning the Cross?

Matthew 27:55-56 … And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Luke 8:1-3 … And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

It is almost like Jesus turned His Cross into a pulpit! In John’s Gospel He only speaks three times from Calvary, but a total of seven times when all the Gospels are combined. To be more specific …

In John Jesus only speaks three times from the Cross!

His First … Mother/Son, a new Family?

His Second … “I thirst!” (One Greek verb!)

His Last … “It is finished!” (One Greek verb!)

In Matthew and Mark, only once does He speak … Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34! (My God, my God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me?)

The other three Statements are from Luke’s Gospel …

Father, forgive them …

Today with Me in Paradise …

Father, into Thy Hands I commend (para + tithemi) My spirit …

The apparent sequence of these “Sayings” as well …

Before the Darkness … 3 sayings!

During the Darkness … 1 Saying!

After the Darkness … 3 Sayings!

One reverent writer called Jesus “the Central Sufferer” on the Hill of Golgotha tthat Day!

What Verse or Verses hinted that Jesus would be “thirsty” on the Cross?

Psalm 22:15 … My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Psalm 69:21 … They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

The best way to study this Text is to watch the whole Class if possible …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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I found this set of facts interesting …

“King of the Jews,” words spoken by gentiles (the Magi, Wise Men) at the beginning of our Lord’s earthly ministry. (Matthew 2:2)

“King of the Jews,” words spoken by a gentile (Pilate) at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry! (John 19:14)

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Someone called the “Title” Pilate wrote and placed over the dying Jesus’ Head … “The Gospel according to Pilate!”

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The Bible calls the Hebrew tongue “pure!” Or at least I think it is Hebrew. Hear this Old Testament Prophet …

Zephaniah 3:9 … “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” (This is describing conditions during the coming, glorious Millennium.)

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Garments in the Bible generally picture … CONDUCT!

Psalm 109:18 … “As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water.” (Wearing a character trait, this one negative!)

Luke 24:49 … “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Endued here means “wearing, or “putting on” the Power of God!

1 Peter 5:5 … “And be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Judges 6:34 … “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon (labash) Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.” (The Hebrew verb used here actually says that the Holy Spirit “put on” Gideon, or “wore” Gideon! What a thrilling thought!)

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A memorable quote … “First Adam was clothed by a Holy God! The Last Adam, Jesus was unclothed by wicked men!” (See 2 Corinthians 15:45 for Paul’s use of this Title for Jesus.)

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“Confiscation of goods” was common in crucifixions … but Jesus virtually had no goods!

2 Corinthians 8:9 … “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

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Watch the whole class. You will learn more that way …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Israel’s leaders rejected Jesus and chose the Roman Emperor (Tiberias) to be their King! “The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” Quoting John 19:15!

Yet God’s Law forbade such an action!

Deuteronomy 17:15 … “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger (foreigner) over thee, which is not thy brother.”

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The Crucifixion of Jesus, horrible as it must have been, could not have been described less dramatically! There is no appeal to the emotions here, just an invitation to trust Christ by Faith! Verse 18 … “They crucified Him.”

Look at the startling brevity of the Gospel Accounts (all 4 of them) concerning the actual Crucifixion …

Matthew 27:35 … “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”

Mark 15:25 … “And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.”

Luke 23:33 … “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

John 19:18, as we have already seen … (Golgotha) … “Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”

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The noun “Pavement” is only found 2 times in all the Bible, both linked with rebellion and unbelief, rank apostasy …

2 Kings 16:10 … “And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.” Rebuilding the furniture of God’s House according to the pattern of a heathen temple!

Now watch 2 Kings 16:17 … “And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a PAVEMENT Of stones.”

And here in John 19:13 … “When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the PAVEMENT, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.”

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My favorite quote of the Lesson …

JESUS WAS DELIVERED TO DEATH THAT WE MIGHT BE DELIVERED FROM DEATH!

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Now, watch the Class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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They are charges, but false ones!

In the Gospel of John, the Jewish leaders tried to accuse Jesus of the following breaches …

1. Matthew 26:61 … “And they said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” (They would have called this error the “desecration of God’s House!” But Jesus was only speaking of the “Temple” of His Body, thus predicting His Resurrection!)

2. John 18:30 … “They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.” Jesus was NOT an evil-doer! He was sinless … and harmless! (Hebrews 7:26)

3. Luke 23:2a … “And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting (dia + strepho) the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.” Jesus loved the Jewish people, His kinsmen. He NEVER perverted that little Nation!

4. Luke 23:2b … “We found this fellow … forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.” They tried to get Jesus executed for treason! As if he sought to overthrow Rome!

5. Luke 23:5 … “And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up (ana + seio = to shake, quake, tremble, agitate) the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.” Jesus was no agitator! He was a Peacemaker!

6. Luke 23:2c … “We found this fellow perverting the nation, saying that he himself is Christ a King.” No, in fact … when the crowd came to Him and tried to crown Him King … He would not allow such! (John 6:15 … “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”)

7. And then here in our current Lesson, John 19:7 … “The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Not “made himself,” He WAS (AND STILL IS) the Son of God!

Jesus, what a Saviour!

Six hours later, Friday Morning, let me today add one series of thoughts to this “Article” …

Pilate’s six Questions to Jesus, during his portion of the trial … …

1. John 18:33 … Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

2, 3. John 18:35 … Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: What hast thou done?

4. John 18:37 … Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

5. John 18:38 … Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

6. John 19:9 … And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Luke 23:6-7 … When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

Now, if you can invest the time in the Word … watch the whole Class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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