There is always a challenge to believe something when it takes faith. Faith is an action that goes against our natural mind and thought process. Jesus death on the cross was something necessary for our salvation. It takes faith to grasp that one could die so that all of mankind might live, but that is exactly what Jesus did and is reported in John 19. The great thing for us is that on one hand it does take faith but on the other there is enough scriptural evidence to point to all that Jesus did that we can prove He is who He said that He is; God in the flesh.
Thousands of years before Jesus birth, Isaiah, the Psalmist, and others prophesied events that would take place regarding the Messiah. Today I want to point out a few of them that tie into chapter 19 of John.
Isaiah chapter 53 is the prophecy of the Messiah and His suffering. John 19 aligns with the idea of Isaiah 53 and with the details.
John 19:6 states that Pilate found no fault in Him, He was guiltless. Isaiah 53:9 states the Messiah will have done no violence neither had any kind of deceit come out of His mouth.
John 19:18 states that Jesus was crucified with two criminals. Isaiah 53:12 states that the Messiah will poured out to death as He is numbered with transgressors as bears the sins of many.
Chapter 19 verses 38 – 42 show us that Jesus was buried in the tomb of a rich man. Isaiah 53:9 also states that Jesus would be at His death with the rich. The implication here is also that the Messiah had to die. There are many who believe wrongly that the Messiah did not need to die. Jesus death was imperative to our entrance into a relationship with the Father. God could have no sin in His presence and without the shedding of blood there could be no forgiveness of sin. In other words, it was an ultimate act of love, “greater love has no one that this that He should lay down His life for His friends”, that enables us to come into an understanding of a real love relationship.
That shedding of blood came through crucifixion. Psalm 22:16 states that the Messiah was surrounded by the wicked and at that time they pieced His hands and feet.
Yes, it does take a certain amount of faith to believe that Jesus is whom He said He was, however there are enough scriptural prophecies that point to who He is. I have touched on a few and I am no scholar but I am told there are thousands of scriptures that Jesus fulfilled in His life and there are yet a few more that will be fulfilled on his return.
Despite all that is going on in the world, I hope that this encourages you that God really is in ultimate control. He knew what would happen in the beginning and He knows what will happen in the end. What happens to you each day is influenced by decisions you make. God is faithful! If you are you will see His hand leading and guiding you each and every day.
Tomorrow John 20
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