Tony Dungy-The trial…

John 19:16. After a bogus, middle of the night “trial” Jesus is sentenced to death and sent to Calvary where he is nailed to a cross and hung between 2 criminals. It’s a gruesome scene but it was all in God’s plan. We know this because David prophesied about it almost 1000 yrs before it happened. I urge you to read Psalm 22:6-18. David describes the events in great detail.

From nailing Jesus hands and feet to the soldiers gambling for Jesus’ clothes, it’s all laid out long before it ever happened.

John gives us a couple of more interesting details. Pilate, perhaps with his conscience bothering him, posts a sign:

Jesus of Nazareth
King of the Jews

After being nailed and lifted up on the cross, Jesus spots his mother and tells His disciple John that he is now to take care of Mary. Just as He has been throughout His life, even as He faces death Jesus is more concerned about Mary than He is about himself.

It’s still amazing to me that Jesus could have stopped this at any time but he didn’t. He had the power to destroy all the soldiers and the disrespectful crowd. He’s been beaten, harassed, taunted and vilified, yet His biggest concern at this moment is to make sure His mother will be taken care of and comforted. He has already asked God if there was another way to do this—any other way for us to be saved?  But knowing this was His Father’s plan He was now ready to die for us. Amazing Grace!