Accused • John 19:16-42
By Clay Anthony
Have you ever noticed the snake-and-pole logo associated with the medical field? You’ve seen it and no doubt understand where this picture comes from. It is a direct reference to John 3:14, when Jesus instructs Nicodemus on God’s plan for salvation that involves Him being lifted on the cross, much like the snake from Moses’ day.
Healing would come to all who would look unto the snake on the pole. Hence the meaning behind your doctor’s logo. If Jesus was indeed raised for all to see (vv. 17-22), then salvation has a definite starting point.
Jesus being lifted up might have caught His followers off guard but there had been plenty of warning for them. There are some 350 prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the life of Jesus.
One such promise is in Psalm 22. By reading the entire Psalm, we see why these words have Jesus as their focus. Psalm 22:18 speaks of the Messiah’s clothing being gambled over. John makes it clear in our lesson today that such gambling happened in Jesus’ story (vv. 23-24).
John’s purpose was to remove all doubt that Jesus was the Son of God and that the Old Testament itself revealed as much. I encourage you to do a search for Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus and be amazed at how much of His life was planned prior to Bethlehem.
Jesus had much to say about caring for those who could not care for themselves. At the cross He again shows that tender care. Jesus was very specific about the person in need and what steps should be taken for her.
At His cross stood a few supportive bystanders. One was His mother, Mary — the same Mary who entertained an angelic visit years earlier is now watching her Son die a criminal’s death. Jesus understood that she would need help. (There is no mention of Joseph, Mary’s husband and the man who helped raise Jesus, providing at least a hint that he had already passed away.)
The life of a widow in that day would have been an improvised one and Jesus would not leave this loose end undone. John was to escort Mary into his own home and adopt her as his own mother.
Only Jesus would die as He did for the people that He did, all the while having the needs of others on His mind. What higher honor could He bestow her?
On the Day of Atonement each year, the Jewish nation would venture to the Temple in Jerusalem. There each family would make sacrifice for the year’s sins. What a scene it must have been to see all the animals led to slaughter.
Just imagine, as Jesus saw, throngs of people coming and going in and around the cages of the animals and the money changers there to purportedly prepare the people to be made right with God.
At the end of this day every year, the high priest would walk out on the covered colonnade and hold up both arms wide. He would pronounce to the crowd the word Tetelestai. At that moment the crowd understood that no more sacrifices would be accepted. Nothing else could be done. Nothing needed to be done.
Keep in mind that this day was a very bloody day. The high priest would have been standing in front of the crowd covered from head to toe in the blood of the sacrificed animals, looking a mess. This was a declaration of forgiveness for sin given to all who had made a sacrifice.
Picture the above as it relates to Jesus. Doctors are known to do wonders and we are thankful for them. They can heal many of our ailments but can do nothing for our eternal sin problem. That is where Jesus comes in.
We are surrounded by voices that distort and replace the teachings of Jesus in such a manner that He is virtually unrecognizable in our modern world. Yet, the Bible clearly points to His mercy and grace. He is not just the author of the word; He is the object of the Word incarnate.
While Jesus was masterful at tying up loose ends and teaching us to honor those who deserve it, we should never lose sight that there remains only One who deserves the highest of all honors that can be given and that He is our Savior.
We too can look to our bloody, highest-above-all-priests as He holds His arms wide and proclaims Tetelestai: “It is accomplished!”
Anthony is missions pastor at Harrisburg Church, Tupelo. He may be contacted at claynell@aol.com.
