PATHETIC...or PROPHETIC?

Jesus has been rejected by the Jews as their King – on Passover Day!                  

Now listen to John as he watches his Master being crucified as a criminal by Roman soldiers, outside the city....  
(Jn 19:17-30)                                                                                                     

Much he doesn’t mention so take note of the detail he does give us about this King of the Jews...

• Pontius Pilate hasn’t finished with Him: he PERSONALLY identifies to the whole world ‘Jesus of Nazareth’– a final insult!

• This King is being crucified stark naked! ...while the soldiers help themselves to His clothes

• This King has only 4 women and a lone disciple for support... and that soon goes

• This King gets only vinegar to drink

What a horribly pathetic coronation under a crown of thorns!...or is it?             

They have unwittingly fulfilled so many prophecies!...

• ‘the plowers plowed upon my back’
• ‘they pierced my hands and my feet’
• ‘they part my garments...and cast lots’
• “so must the Son of Man be lifted up”
• “Behold the Lamb of God”
• 'He was numbered with the transgressors’
• ‘reproach of men and despised of the people’
• ‘in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink’
• ‘...shall Messiah be cut off’

Finally, who is really in control here?...the Roman governor??  Maybe not.           

Jesus says: “It is finished” then... ‘bowed His head and gave up the ghost’     

(Why do they ‘sacrifice’ Him again every day at Mass?)  

NEXT:  Surely Rome’s governor and his soldiers have finished with this King of the Jews?   Perhaps they will unwittingly fulfil more prophecies!