His death – the proclamation worth emulating

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. John 19:16-22.

Very striking in our text of today are two things:

1. Pilate’s contested written proclamation – verse 19; and
2. The location of the crucifixion was where many passed and the testimony of who Christ is was written in all the known languages, that no one passing by would have an excuse that he never knew.

Indeed the scripture had to be fulfilled even in His death. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14, 15

The writer of the book of Hebrews drawing on this admonished us to rid ourselves of the contest of the struggle over belly economics and seeking of relevance or permanence in the temporal. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:12-15

May I ask how your walk in the light of these things is? Selah.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele