John 19:19-22 Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. 20 Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

GOD certainly uses people in surprising ways, doesn’t he? For example, he used the prostitute Rahab to help Joshua conquer Jericho (Joshua 6). He brought the Moabite Ruth to Bethlehem to continue the Savior’s lineage in the house of Judah (Ruth 4). Balaam, a pagan prophet, was God’s instrument to bless Israel (Numbers 22). Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride revealed God’s sovereignty (Daniel 1-4). Pilate was another who was not a Jew to be one of God’s instruments to reveal the gospel to the world.
    The Spirit moved Pilate to command a sign proclaiming Jesus “King of the Jews” in three languages. And “many people read it”. The execution was very public. The Romans wanted many people to see the horrible consequences of any rebellion. Scores of Jews and Gentiles traveled from Judah and other countries to and from Jerusalem. For many this was the first time they had heard about a rebellious rabbi from Nazareth. The travelers would have wondered about the sign and questioned, “Why would anyone call this crucified criminal, “King of the Jews”?  
    In God’s providence, some would learn the true answer weeks, months or years later when the gospel was preached in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and throughout the world. When they learned of Jesus crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended and coming again, the Spirit would have caused them to remember the “King of the Jews” hanging on a cross between two thieves. When “Christ crucified” was preached they knew it is true. We can be sure the memory awakened some to know that this man on the cross was truly the anointed, eternal King of the Jews, Son of God, King of Kings.
    Yes, God reveals himself in mysterious, very personal ways. He even goes to a criminal’s death on a hill along a public road in Jerusalem to prepare the world for his eternal promise: Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
    On that day dark day in Jerusalem the Holy God planted the seeds of his salvation promise into the hearts and minds of some who passed by or stood at the foot of the cross. They experienced his death. They would one day completely experience his resurrection.
   
Resurrection Truth: Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  

John 19:1-5 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘“Hail, king of the Jews!’” And they struck him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, ‘“Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.’” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, ‘“Here is the man!’”
 
John 19:14-18 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. ‘“Here is your king,’” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, ‘“Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’” ‘“Shall I crucify your king?’” Pilate asked. ‘“We have no king but Caesar,’” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.  
 
Luke 23:26 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
 
JESUS has suffered his people’s rejection and the governor’s unjust brutal condemnation. Blood streams from the excruciating crown of thorns. His wrists and arms are numb from the ropes that tied him to the lashing pole. Now Jesus must carry his own cross.
    Jesus, fully man and fully God, bears his cross to illustrate the truth of his own words: Mark 8:34 ‘“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
    Yes, these words are figurative, symbolic of perseverance through trials we will encounter as we obediently follow Jesus Christ. But in this painful, disgraceful procession, our Lord sets for us a real cross-carrying example. He shows us that bearing a cross is impossible without help.
    Simon of Cyrene, who has come for the Passover, is commanded to help Jesus when Jesus’ strength is gone. Simon submits to the work and they continue to Golgotha.
    Cross-carrying requires we bear it forward. We don’t take up the cross and stop our work, letting the trial keep us from our mission. We take up the cross and follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:240) We must bear the challenges and obstacles in sure expectation the Holy Spirit will step in to say, ‘“Here, I know this is too heavy for you alone. Let me help you.’”
    Jesus knows you cannot bear it alone. He has suffered the cross for your eternal safety. Living a cross-carrying life is trusting God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
    On that dark day, Jesus, the man, needed help. God sent him Simon. On the days the cross is too heavy, Jesus will send the Spirit to help you.
 
Resurrection Truth: Psalms 46:11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

John 18:35-37 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

READ John 18:28-19:16 for the entire account of Jesus’ trial. What is at the center of the charges, Jesus’ few responses, and the crowd’s reaction?
    It is truth. Pilate wants to know, “What is truth?” He’s not the only one. The whole world wants to know it. Or do we?
    People do seem to seek after truth. An overwhelming number of religions in the world claim to be the place where truth is found. Many people also try to find truth in themselves. “Know yourself.” is a common directive.
    Pilate, it seems, had to stand back and think about Jesus’ words. Jesus said that when people wanted to know the truth he was the One to seek.
    But Pilate only considered it for a short time. Then he washed his hands of Jesus, and Jesus was gone.
    What kept Pilate from taking Jesus inside his house and inviting him to a meal, so he could more carefully ask Jesus, “What do you mean, ‘Whoever listens to the truth belongs to you?’” It seems Pilate was on the edge of a true desire to talk with and to learn from Jesus, but he backed down.
    Perhaps Pilate understood that if he took time with Jesus to learn the truth, his life would dramatically change. He might be confronted with his past sins – some very evil sins – among the Jews. Perhaps Pilate thought he would lose his power as a Roman governor.
    Have you been close to getting to know Jesus better but then stepped back? Were you afraid of what would change in your life? This is a common response to the Bible. Truth often makes us uncomfortable. When we ask, “What is truth?” we must be prepared to listen to Jesus’ answers. If we send him away, unwilling to know the answer, Jesus’ death means nothing for us.
 
Resurrection Truth: Listen closely to your Lord. He died, so you can hear him.
 

John 18:12-18 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself…25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
 
FOR centuries, Peter has been judged, condemned and mocked for this. Often when someone in church mentions Peter’s name, “Denied Christ.” is the first response. Then we often hear Peter was passionate and impulsive. He is the “Rock”. Seldom, if ever, does anyone mention he is the apostle – Jesus’ chosen messenger – who preached the church’s first sermon (Acts 2). Peter raised Dorcas from death (Acts 9:36-39). He was the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9). Peter also authored two epistles of the New Testament, and Peter helped Mark with the information to write Mark. Yes, Peter’s denial was a terrible sin. He needed to repent. And he did. His restored faith became a rock of the church’s formation and development.
    Peter’s denial was God’s will for Peter’s life. Jesus told Peter he had granted Satan permission to sift you (Luke 22:31). God tested Peter to teach him he needed the Helper to faithfully live in Jesus’ salvation. When Jesus restored Peter (John 21) Peter’s life became fully committed to Jesus.
    If you might doubt Jesus’ ability to redeem you sin, remember both Peter’s denial and Peter’s redemption. Your past sins will not chain you if you trust Jesus’ redemptive resurrection power.
    See this as the Spirit’s warning and promise to you. Be aware! Fear of the world and lack of trusting your faith in Jesus can lead you into the darkest places. Believe that when you repent Jesus will restore you into his light.
 
Resurrection Truth: In Jesus’ resurrection your denial becomes determination. 

John 12:12-19 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! (Save Now) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, 15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
 
THE Pharisees were very distressed. They had debated with Jesus. They had accused him of being a pretender, a magician, a false teacher and even of the devil. For most of Jesus’ ministry, some Pharisees sought to kill him.
    But now a boisterous, happy crowd in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast praised him as the long awaited Messiah, the King of Israel. Their cry, “Hosanna!” is actually a prayer, “Save us now!” It was often prayed at the Feast of Tabernacles, remembering that God had dwelt with the Jews through the exodus. While the ruling Jews – the “church” of that day – sneered, the crowds cheered.
    The Pharisees were concerned about their power and about Rome’s power. If the people believed Jesus’ is the true Messiah, their authority was gone. They also knew Rome’s heavy hand on such demonstrations. Rome relied on the Jews to keep the peace. If the Jews could not, Rome could. The incarnate God stood before them, and the ruling Jews were afraid because, “The whole world is following him.” The Pharisees and Sadducees saw Jesus, but they missed the wonder of God in their midst.
    Do we as a church see the wonder of God dwelling in our midst? The Holy Spirit dwells within us, doesn’t he? Are we then attentive to pray, “Hosanna – Save Now, Jesus.” for people in desperate need of Jesus’ eternal salvation? Or might we inadvertently keep people from Jesus?
    One way we may keep people from seeing Jesus is to be too casual about him. We may express little joy and wonder at Jesus’ triumphal entry into our lives. God’s saving work as the expression of his extreme love for us. If we see God’s redemption as something he should do for us, we will miss the fullness of his grace. When you deeply appreciate someone, you are willing to tell others about that person’s goodness on your life. Let’s be sure we deeply, lovingly appreciate the Father’s work through the Son and Spirit to dwell with us.
    To be a church that lives a resurrected life, keep Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in your heart and foremost in your mind. Be a Christian who adores the resurrected Jesus. With heartfelt joy and loving wonder. Remember to often pray “Save my loved ones and neighbors now. Blessed are you, Holy Spirit, who has come to me in the name of the Lord!”
 
Resurrection Truth: Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

John 12:1-4 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected.
 
QUITE a gift…quite an honor Mary offered. Mary’s attitude had changed a good deal since she had questioned why Jesus remained absent during Lazarus’ illness. But then Jesus came to her brother; Jesus came to Mary’s sister Martha, and Jesus came to Mary with his full life. Now it is time to ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. (Psalms 29:2)
    With thanksgiving and praise in her heart, Mary purchased a very expensive pint of perfume to anoint her Lord with honor and worship. In the perfume’s sweet, powerful, even overwhelming aroma is Mary’s love. She wants Jesus and all around her to know Jesus is worth far more than any price that is on that bottle of perfume.         
    Judas is the disciple who complains the perfume is wasted. To many his comment seems very practical. Jesus had fed many thousands with his compassionate miracles. Certainly he cared for the hungry! Yes, the perfume’s price could have been used for the poor; it could have been used for Mary’s own household. She could have bought food through the year for her family.
    Instead, she honored Jesus. Mary knew what to do about Jesus (see previous lesson) because she completely understood Jesus is life. Perhaps she knew because she had taken time on another day to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his teachings. Luke 10:39 Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Jesus is the great Provider, the loving giver of himself, so the world can eat the Bread of Life.  
    How do we form Mary’s understanding into our lives? First it makes sense to sit at Jesus’ feet each day for some time to learn from him. We may then more faithfully respond to his life-giving resurrection with our own sacrificial offering. We will be willing to give our time to his work instead of being “too busy”. We will release our gifts to strengthen his church. Our love and our encouragement also become daily offerings to family, friends, neighbors, strangers and church family. To the broken and the least of these (Matthew 25:45) we sacrifice some things we want, so they can have something to eat or a place to safely sleep.
    Yes, that is resurrection living. Worship and honor Jesus. Share his resurrection gift. Give him to others who need his tender care.
 
Resurrection Truth: You can give life as Jesus has given to you.  

John 11:45-58 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
 
“WHAT shall we do?” asked the Pharisees. How would you answer? You could respond, “You can love him. Enjoy and experience his miracles and glorify him with your faithfulness to his commands. You can love others in his name. And yes, you can worship him!” Control and power were on the Pharisees’ minds, and they did not know what to do when the Lord of Life encountered them. Do you want to reach back through the centuries and awaken these faithless hearts?
    But with some grace in our own hearts, let’s consider the ruling Jews were not the only ones confused about Jesus. Several times the gospels tell us our Lord’s closest disciples were confused: Luke 18:34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
    Jesus’ incarnation was a mystery to nearly everyone who encountered him. “What shall we do?” was often accompanied with, “Who are you?” (John 8:25) “Where are you going?” (John 13:36) The disciples were even confused about what to do as the resurrected Jesus prepared to ascend: So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Why did the Jews’ leaders and  the disciples have so much difficulty knowing what to do about Jesus?
    God demonstrates throughout Scripture he reveals himself to particular people at certain times with what they need to know. He told Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, the prophets and others what they needed to do with him. Sin’s curse has hidden God from our spiritual vision. It is impossible to know what to do in response to God until he grants you the right eyes to see him.
    Amid the disciples’ confusion at Jesus’ ascension, Jesus then told them: Acts 1:7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  
    God withholds and gives knowledge according to  his will. He willed the Son to die. The Jews’ response to their question was to crucify Jesus. In contrast God’s will was that the Spirit revealed to the disciples the answer to, “What shall we do?” They proclaimed the good news to the nations.
    Do you know Jesus? Then praise God today that you have God’s full counsel – his Bible – so you can know your answer to, “What shall we do?”   

John 11:38-46 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.  
 
John 11:44c “Unbind him and let him go.”
 
DEATH’S bondage is broken! Do we have any comprehension of the joy that Mary, Martha – Lazarus! – and the other mourners experienced? Were they too shocked to be happy? Were they filled with so much wonder they could not comprehend the man who was four days dead is alive.
    Against all hope, in spite of all doubt, Jesus raised Lazarus. This is God’s grace disrupting death’s penalty. Mary and Martha had faith in the future resurrection, but expressed no expectation in the present. His disciples seemed silent, too, even though they had seen so many miracles. Yet, Jesus called out, and he destroyed death. “Unbind him and let him go.”
    Let’s pray Jesus’ command will release the bonds that hamper our walk with Jesus . Pray you can know how to respond to his promise of a full life (John 10:10). May the Spirit of the risen Christ open our minds. Jesus wanted the people at the tomb to see God’s glory – his power – that will unbind them from death and welcome them into his eternal salvation.
    Of course, Jesus’ will remains the same. Through his Helper, the Holy Spirit, he has granted us eyes to see the glory of God that unbinds us from death into eternal life. Free in Jesus’ resurrection, our grave clothes are gone. He has granted us the glory to be dressed in fine linen, white and clean (Revelation 19:14b).  

Resurrection Truth: Free in Jesus, you are dressed up for eternal life.  

John 11:28-37 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
 
“Jesus wept.” Oh, this is such great comfort! Have you considered that if the Triune God had not wept over death, Jesus would not have come to give life.
    Can you imagine the incarnate Lord of Life standing in front of a grave? He had surely done this before. Other friends had died. Apparently his earthly father Joseph was dead when Jesus’ ministry began. Jesus had wept before.
    But why would the Resurrection and the Life have wept here? He knows that in a few minutes this grave will open, and his friend will walk out. Why did Jesus weep?
    When we consider Scripture’s revelation of God’s great work to redeem mankind, we can understand Jesus wept for all humanity. He wept because so very much had been lost. After all, Jesus is the eternal God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)  At the Father’s command and with the Spirit’s power, the Son spoke life into the void. He formed a sparkling universe of extraordinary, perfect beauty. The Resurrection and the Life put eternity into the hearts of man. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Jesus wants us to know what God has done from beginning to end.
    With a grievous heart Jesus witnessed Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. How could Jesus deal with death –  the death of God’s holy perfection, the death of peace, the death of humanity’s unity with our Creator?
    He could only tolerate the corrupted creation because he knew his resurrection power would come to redeem the world. Since eternity before time, the Son knew the day would come when mankind would experience once again the life-giving wonder of the Father’s imperative: “Let us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26)
    Jesus wept because he loves us.
    Jesus’ love is why Jesus’ walk to the cross is called “passion”. He has a deep passion to awaken his people to witness and know his resurrection power.
    Do you see this power? Do you know it in your life? May it be so.
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus is alive. He wants you to be alive in Him!