Much has been written about the crucifixion of Christ.  While many modern writers emphasize the physiological, the writers of the Bible emphasize the theological.  By this I mean, those who were present who could give us every gory detail of what Christ endured don't write about those matters.  In fact, as we'll see this Sunday, John writes, "They Crucified Him."  Three words in the English and two words in the Greek describe the whole awful process.  Certainly Christ endured unspeakable suffering but John, who was an eyewitness, emphasizes some things we might not expect.  For example, John writes about where this took place; Calvary.  John describes both the just and unjust persons present--and what they were doing.  John also gives details about the "title" that Jesus wore which was fixed to the cross on which He was nailed.  He describes the debate between Pilate and the chief priests--why do we need to know this?  John even records how Jesus treated His mother!  That seems odd unless John's purpose is "other than" graphic portrayal of human perversion.  In fact, we know John's purpose, John 20:31 records, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  Somehow the events of that day assist us in believing.  As you read the text in John 19 and the description of the Son of God, how does it assist you to believe?

Several years ago I heard one of the girls from our church say that to her older sister.  I had never heard that line before and I must admit it really cracked me up!  How often have we less quietly responded in the same way to authority?  We love having authority and we love it when someone in authority acts on our behalf but authority that runs "cross-grain" to our own agenda...is another matter!  Authority is the way things get done in this world.  Somebody makes a decision to do something and often they have to tell somebody else to do something to get that thing done.  We face this all day at work, school and when we "play."  Do we realize that we are accountable for the use of our authority?  Do we realize that God is the one who has given us the "power" to make decisions and carry them out?  It has been said that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."  That is true to a certain extent but power is still better than anarchy.  Surely the misuse of "power" (i.e. authority) is poor stewardship of a wonderful gift.  It is easy to see the misuse of authority with Pilate in John 19:10 but we should be on the look out for our own abuses at home, in the office, in the shop and in the church.  Let us be faithful with little and trust the Lord for much.