John 19:16-27

The soldiers took Jesus to be crucified. It was normal for the victim to carry part of the cross himself, though Simone of Cyrene helped Jesus at one point (Mk 15:21). Today it is normal for people to wear a cross as an item of jewellery. In those days such a thing would be unthinkable, for the cross was a thing of shame. To get the sense better we should imagine what we would think of someone who wore an item of jewellery in the form of a hangman's noose. We would consider such person warped and best avoided (or need of much deliverance or prayer!). Such is the effect the cross had in those days.

There was a criminal at either side, Jesus truly dies among sinners in every sense of the word. It is perhaps intersting that none of the gospel writers majors on the physical suffering of Jesus, in contrast to what we tend to to do these days.

It was normal for a placard to be attached to the cross stating the crime the man was guilty of. Pilate insisted that the placard stated that Jesus was the King of the Jews, and this was written in three languages, so everyone could be aware of who He is. The Jewish leaders objected, but Pilate overruled their objections.

The soldiers treated Jesus with disdain, assuming Him to be just another criminal. In casting lots for His clothes Psalm 22:18 was fulfilled.

Even in death, Jesus demonstrated concern for His mother. It is always good for us to show concern for others, even if we are going through difficulties ourselves.