Rolling The Dice

Rolling the Dice

John 19:19-24, NIV

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did.

Setting the Scene

Two groups had a vested interest in the events surrounding the Cross but had no interest at all in understanding their actual significance.

The soldiers efficiently carried out their duties, expressing little concern over the agony of the men they put to death. Perhaps they had done this so often they had become hardened to the specter of human cruelty. They drafted Simon to help Jesus carry the cross, not because they wanted to make things easier for Jesus, but because they wanted to keep the process moving. They probably offered the narcotic mixture of myrrh and wine not to ease pain but to make the men easier to handle. The only apparent perk for these soldiers was access to the condemned men’s personal belongings. John tells us that from Jesus the soldiers had several dividable items and a seamless garment, which became the prize they gambled for at the foot of his cross. John also notes that their behavior actually fulfilled a prophecy recorded in Psalm 22:18: “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (NIV).

The second group, Pilate and the Jewish leadership, squabbled over the wording of the charges on the sign in three languages over Jesus’ head. Pilate expressed his irritation over the way he had been manipulated into condemning Jesus by refusing to edit what he had inscribed: “King of the Jews.” Ironically, the words were true in ways no one present could imagine!

Getting Personal

How is God’s sovereignty evident even in the actions of those who did not have God’s interests in mind in the execution of Jesus?

In what ways can you identify with Jesus’ humiliation on the cross? Why is this a significant spiritual exercise?

How have you experienced any humiliating aspects of being a follower of Jesus?

When looking closely at the Cross, we can discern two overlapping scenes occurring simultaneously. The world was busy carrying on its plans and intentions; meanwhile, in the eternal realms, Jesus was dying to save sinful humans. What we believe about Jesus puts us in one of those two scenes.

Talking to God

Give glory to God because nothing and no one can sidetrack his plans and nothing can interfere in his purposes for you. Your times are in good hands, the very best!