As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up in chapter 18, verse 38. Please accept my apology for the error in last week’s message. I mistakenly marked the message as coming from chapter 19, when it was from chapter 18. We do get into chapter 19 today, but last week we ended the message saying it was from 19:38, when it was actually from 18:38. Anyway, let us go to 18:38 as Pilate was asking Jesus, the question of questions: “What is truth? John continues:
“With this Pilate went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against this man. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘No, not Him!’ Give us Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.”
(John 18:38 – 19:1)
Pilate thought having Jesus flogged might satisfy them. His wife had sent him a message earlier saying, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him.” But the Jewish Leadership had one goal in mind that day. As stated in Mattew 27, “Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the Elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.” They intended to kill HIm, but they had to have the Romans do it, because they were not allowed to.
We find the accounts of that morning that led to the crucifixion in Matthew 27, and Mark 15, and Luke 23, and of course here in John 19. Each account adds to the picture of what was going on, and what was recorded as being said. It is well worth our time to read each chapter listed if we can to get the full picture.
As Jesus was taken to be flogged, it was at this point where His blood began to flow. The blood that washes us, and sets us free from sin and death. Blood that was shed by the perfect One for us. Blood that brings life into us, and upon us. Holy Blood that protects and provides. That is why our Lord had to come to this earth as Son of Man, a man of flesh and blood that was just like us, but was without sin; the only man that ever lived that was. Though He never made a mistake or committed a sin of any kind, the scripture says, “Surely He took up our pain, and bore our suffering.” Isaiah 53:4. The flogging was terrible. History tells us that the whip they used had pieces of bone in the leather that would tear and rip the skin, to the point of exposing bone in the body. I can only imagine the pain. But Jesus took that pain and suffering for us because He loves us, and that was why He was there.
Jesus was on a mission. So are we. Our mission is why we are here at this time in this place – destined to be here before the beginning of time. Jesus came to earth and took our place for the suffering that was caused when Adam fell because He loves us. He was the only One who could have done what He did. We are here today to do what He has sent us to do, that is to share His Love, in His name, in the way He has designed for each of us to do. He took our place at the flogging post. He took our pain so that we could share His Love. He loves us so. Let us share the Good News.