Thoughts on the Gospel of John (193) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.
John 19:17–19

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (193)
The evangelist describes the crucifixion scene in simple words. First, we read that Jesus is carrying His cross. Whoever walked through the city with his cross testified to all the spectators that the death sentence had been passed on him. Several times the Lord used this image to make it clear that His disciples must be prepared to accept the death sentence from the unbelieving world. The full force of this figurative expression is seen here.

The Son of God carries His cross – what a sight! – and goes “out”: out of Jerusalem, the “city of the great King” (Matthew 5:35).

He is going to Golgotha. The name of this place derives from the particular shape of the rocky hill. But there is also a symbolic meaning in this. A skull testifies to the humiliating end of all human power and glory. In this place the Son of God is to die!

Crucifixion is one of the most agonising methods of execution. That the Son of God, my Saviour, was not spared makes me think of Him with admiration. Jesus hangs in the middle – as if He were the greatest criminal of the three. From man’s point of view, He obviously takes the place of Barabbas. But from God’s point of view, He suffered there vicariously for all people who would believe in Him. Did He also suffer on the cross vicariously for you?

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Genesis 48:8-22 · Psalms 35:1-10