John 19

The crucifixion is probably the hardest thing to read in the
Bible. I have never seen the entire movie "The Passion of Christ",
the sounds were enough to turn my stomach and make me stop watching. The
physical brutality is almost incomprehensible. In the chapter we read what
actually happened to Christ. He was totally innocent, but he did not argue,
debate, or fight the charges. He knew what he had to do to fulfill God's plan.
I also thought about the fear Pilate must of felt-he knew he was killing an
innocent man but he was afraid of the crowd and of what might happen to him if
he were branded an enemy of the emperor. I wonder what Pilate thought after he
heard about the Resurrection of Jesus.
I'm embarrassed to admit that until the past year or so, I didn't realize the
relationship between the Old and the New Testaments. When Jesus says "It
is finished" I'm assuming he is referring to the fulfillment of the Old
Testament scripture; the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation for us.
I also read this chapter thinking of what some of the witnesses must have felt.
My heart breaks for Mary. I cannot imagine watching my innocent son die in such
a horrible way. The soldiers-- especially when they realize what they have
done. His disciples--the despair they must have felt.
But as Christine wrote "Courage, power, love, obedience" was Jesus
reaction.