John 19:1-16

John 19:1-16The first portrait in the picture is that of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The second portrait in the picture before us, is that of the unbelieving Jews who favoured our Lord’s death. The third and last portrait in the picture before us is that of Pontius Pilate."Never let us forget when we ponder this tale of suffering that Jesus suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust, that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and that with His stripes we are healed.""There is no worse judgment from God than to be left to ourselves and given over to our own wicked hearts and the devil. There is no surer way to bring that judgment upon us than to persist in refusing warnings and sinning against light.""The poorest labourer who has grace and fears God is a nobler being in the eyes of his Creator than the King, ruler or statesman whose first aim it is to please the people."Questions:We see a picture of Jesus who willingly went to the cross in our place. Ryle draws from 1 Peter, that not only was this for our sins, but it is also an example for us to follow. Have we armed ourselves with the same way of thinking of Jesus? When suffering comes, do we count it a strange thing or do we expect it?We see a picture of the Jews exhibiting a hard heart as they press Pilate for the death of Jesus. Ryle warns that the worst judgement God can bring on men and women is to leave them to their own wicked hearts and the devil, and there is no surer way to bring that judgement upon them than to persist in refusing warnings and sinning against light. What effect do the warnings of the Bible have upon us? How do we respond to God's Word when we read it?We see a picture of Pontius Pilate who, ultimately out of fear of man, declared a wicked sentence upon an innocent man. Ryle declares that rulers who do not fear God and seek to please people are the worst of rulers. He rightly encourages us to pray for our rulers to fear God. When is the last time you prayed for the rulers of your country?