John 19:38-42

1. We learn that there are some true Christians in the world of whom very little is known.
2. We learn that there are some servants of Christ whose end is better than their beginning.
3. We learn that the burial of the dead is an act which God sanctions and approves.

"He does not hesitate to confess himself one of Christ’s friends, at a time when Jews and Romans alike had condemned Him as a criminal and put Him to death. Surely the man who could do such things must have had strong faith! Can we wonder that wherever the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this pious action of Joseph is told of as a memorial of him?"

"We must not condemn others as graceless and godless because they do not see the whole truth at once and only reach definite Christianity by slow degrees. The Holy Spirit always leads believers to the same foundation truths and into the same highway to heaven. In these there is invariable uniformity. But the Holy Spirit does not always lead believers through the same experience or at the same rate of speed."

"The true Christian need never be ashamed of regarding a funeral with particular reverence and solemnity."

Questions:

1. We learn of a man not previously known, showing love to Christ when even those who were closest to him had fled. Ryle points out that Joseph of Arimathea was a man of strong faith, and that, like the 7,000 unknown believers in Elijah's day, there are likely numerous Joseph's today we know nothing about. Do we find the greatest value in those who do great things, or do we value all who love Christ despite the flashiness of their works?
2. We see a man who once came to Jesus by night only 3 years later boldly come forward to serve Christ. Ryle highlights that the Holy Spirit always leads believers to the same foundation truths and into the same highway of heaven, yet he doesn't always lead believers through the same experience, or at the same rate of speed. Are we guilty of condemning young believers for not grasping full maturity or despising the day of small things? Do we deal gently with those who have grace but struggle? What does this truth do to help how we deal with others?
3. We see that Jesus' body is buried. Ryle draws out from this evidence that sanctions the burial of the dead and that we should never be ashamed to regard a funeral with particular reverence. In the West, we live in a day in which many want to call a service for a loved one who has passed away a 'celebration of life' instead of a funeral. It seems to me that this is a subtle shift from highlighting the sorrow of such a loss to just focus on the 'good' stuff, and I wonder if we do it because we are ashamed as Ryle says. As of recording this, my family, just this morning, buried our 15-month-old child, Tobias. As Christians, we need to recover the funeral in which we mourn and allow others to mourn with us, or take time to mourn with those who have lost loved ones. We need to bury the dead and give respect to the body God knit together for our loved ones, believing that God will raise that body again when Jesus returns. I have two questions. First, do we give dignity to the body or have we said things like, "that person isn't here?" when standing before the dead? We are embodied souls, and we must treat the dead body with the understanding that God will raise it in glory. Second, Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting." The Preacher then gives the reason: "for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart." Do we run from and find excuses to not attend a funeral or are we wise and go to learn wisdom even while we mourn with those who mourn?

John 19:28-37

1. Let us mark the frequent fulfilments of prophetic Scripture in every part of Christ’s crucifixion.
2. We should mark the particularly solemn saying which came from our Lord’s lips just before He died.
3. We should mark the reality and truth of Christ’s death.

"It really requires more unreasoning faith to be an unbeliever than to be a Christian. The one who regards the repeated fulfilments of minute prophecies about Christ’s death, such as the prophecies about His dress, His thirst, His pierced side and His bones, as the result of chance and not of design must indeed be willing to believe anything."

"We need not fear that either sin, Satan or law shall condemn us at the last day. We may lean on the thought that we have a Saviour who has done all, paid all, accomplished all, performed all that is necessary for our salvation."

"Whatever view we take of the blood and water, let us make sure that we are among those who “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). It will matter nothing at the last day that we held during life the most exalted view of the sacraments if we never came to Christ by faith and never had personal dealings with Him."

Questions:

1. We see numerous Scriptures fulfilled in Christ's death. Ryle points out that the only rational explanation of so many prophecies being fulfilled so many years later can only point us to God. How well verses are we with these prophecies, and do they have the effect of strengthening our faith?
2. Jesus's last words on the cross were, "it is finished." Ryle says that we cannot fully comprehend all that this statement contains, though it obviously points to no less than Christ as our substitute, the fulfilling of many prophecies and so forth. One great truth we certainly pull from this is that we need not fear that sin, Satan, or law shall condemn us on the final day, because we lean on a Savior who has done all, paid all, and accomplished all. Stop and praise God for his glorious grace and the firm foundation you stand on in him.
3. We see the reality of Christ's death as the soldier pierces his side and blood and water come out. Ryle says that there are many interpretations of this, but what matters most is that we have washed our robes white in the blood of the Lamb by faith and had dealings with him. Have we done so? Have we seen that our robes are indeed dirty and that nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash them clean? May it be so, and may it increase thanksgiving to Him as we consider it!

John 19:17-27

1. We should observe how our Lord had to bear His cross when He went forth from the city to Golgotha.
2. We should observe how our Lord was crucified as a King.
3. We should observe how tenderly our Lord took thought for Mary, His mother.

"To wear crosses as an ornament, to place crosses on churches and tombs, is cheap and easy work and entails no trouble. But to have Christ’s cross in our hearts, to carry Christ’s cross in our daily walk, to know the fellowship of His sufferings, to be conformed to His death, to have crucified affections, and live crucified lives—all this needs self-denial and Christians of this kind are few and far between."

"They only will find Him their Saviour at the last day who have obeyed Him as King in this world. Let us cheerfully pay Him that tribute of faith, love and obedience which He prizes far above gold. Above all, let us never be afraid to declare ourselves His faithful subjects, soldiers, servants and followers however much He may be despised by the world."

"It is not too much to say, however painful the assertion, that of all the inventions of the Church of Rome there never was one more without foundation in Scripture and reason, than the doctrine of Mary-worship."

Questions:

1. We see Jesus carry the cross like a criminal for our sake. Ryle draws the practical application that just as Jesus bore his cross, so we are called to carry our cross and follow Him. He says that to wear crosses is cheap, but to have Christ's cross in our hearts and to carry Christ's cross in our daily walk and to know the fellowship of his sufferings requires self-denial and is the only cross-bearing and cross-carrying that does any good in the world. Where are we when it comes to denying ourselves and taking up the cross in our lives?
2. We see that the sign declaring Jesus as the King of the Jews, though mocking, declared what was right and true. As a king he was born, lived, was crucified, and will come again. Ryle exhorts us that only those who know Jesus as King in their hearts will know him as Savior. Are we those who cheerfully pay him the tribute of faith, love and obedience that he prizes far above gold?
3. We see Jesus, in great pain and agony, caring for his mother. Ryle points out in this how unfounded the Roman Catholic Church is to venerate Mary, but for our purposes, we also see the matchless tenderness, sympathy, and consideration of Jesus for his people. And what a helpful thing to consider in the context of carrying the cross! Do we see in Jesus our Lord the one who also cares for us? May this truth carry us through whatever trials and cross-bearing may bring!

John 19:1-16

1. The first portrait in the picture is that of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
2. The second portrait in the picture before us, is that of the unbelieving Jews who favoured our Lord’s death.
3. 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:

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?

John 18:28-40

1. The first point that we should notice is the false conscientiousness of our Lord’s wicked enemies.
2. The second point that we should notice in these verses is the account that our Lord Jesus Christ gives of His kingdom.
3. The third point that we should notice in these verses is the account that our Lord gives of His own mission.
4. The last point that we should notice in these verses is the question that Pontius Pilate addressed to our Lord.

"Christianity is worthless if it makes us try to make up for the neglect of heartfelt faith and practical holiness by an extravagant zeal for human ceremonies or outward forms."

"No doubt the kings of this world cannot make people Christians by laws and statutes, but they can encourage and support Christianity and they will do so if they are wise. The kingdom where there is the most industry, temperance, truthfulness and honesty will always be the most prosperous of kingdoms."

"Like [Jesus] we are to be witnesses to God’s truth, salt in the midst of corruption, light in the midst of darkness, men and women who are not afraid to stand alone and to testify for God against the ways of sin and the world. To do so may involve us in much trouble and even persecution, but the duty is clear and plain.

"God never left any honest, diligent inquirer without light and guidance."

Questions:

1. We see that the Pharisees, though committing the most grievous act of sin in killing the Messiah, were concerned about being ceremonially clean and did not enter the Praetorium. Ryle points out that the conscious of unbelievers can either become hard or simply put the emphasis on another lesser point. It might be easy to point to the Pharisees but what about us? Can we say, with Psalm 119:128, "Therefore all your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way?"
2. Jesus declares before Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. Ryle points out that while Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that will not have taxes and armies, that doesn't mean the rulers in this world should neglect the teachings of this Kingdom. Wise rulers will do all that lies in their power to help Christianity and to discourage unbelief. When is the last time we prayed for our governing authorities to let Christians live a quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way?
3. Jesus declares that his mission is to bear witness to the truth. Ryle points out that this is an example of us to follow in this dark and sinful world. Whatever culture we find ourselves in, there are plenty of ways to speak the truth where it is distorted. Is this a mission we are fulfilling? When was the last time we spoke the truth in love to a false idea or action? When was the last time we failed to do so because of the cost?
4. We see Pilate ask Jesus, 'what is truth?' Ryle points out that this question was likely a sarcastic one rather than an honest question. The truth is that many do the same today and hide behind such statements. The verses in Proverbs quoted offer a good closing question for us, namely, do we seek truth as Solomon told us? He promises, "if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will find the knowledge of God."

John 18:12-27

1. We should mark the amazing hardness of the unconverted.
2. We should mark the amazing condescension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. We should mark the amazing degree of weakness that may be found in a real Christian.

"Twenty or thirty years of total unbelief, without the influence of Sunday, Bible or Christian teaching, will make a person’s heart hard as stone. Their conscience at last will seem dead, buried and gone."

"To suffer for those whom we love and who are in some sense worthy of our affections is suffering that we can understand. To submit to ill-treatment quietly when we have no power to resist is submission that is both graceful and wise. But to suffer voluntarily when we have the power to prevent it and to suffer for a world of unbelieving and ungodly sinners, unasked and unthanked—this is a line of conduct which passes understanding."

"Few are aware, perhaps, how much more they fear the face of those whom they can see than the eye of God whom they cannot see."

Questions:

1. We see, in the example of those who arrested Jesus, and saw the miracles of the soldiers falling back, and the ear of Malchus being healed, a hardness of heart. Ryle points out that such an example with Christ should not surprise us when we see it today. And so, we need to ask ourselves: are we surprised at the hardness of heart we see in those around us who do not believe?
2. We see the condescension of Christ as He, the King of kings, willingly submits himself to be judged by wicked men all the while knowing all things and able to escape in a moment. This is a doctrine, Ryle says, that must be understood and not forgotten. Jesus Christ not only gave himself for us but did so willingly. Would we not take up one of these passages - 2 Corinthians 5:21 or 1 Peter 3:18 - and memorize and meditate upon it?
3. We see in the example of Peter how far one can fall who is a true Christian. Peter had just heard the most touching teaching and the most personal prayer and yet denied Christ only hours later. Ryle exhorts us to watch out for the dangers of pride and self-reliance and the fear of others. He warns that few are aware how much more they fear the face of those whom they can see than the eye of whom they cannot see. Would we pray for a distrust in ourselves, and would we ask God that His name would be holy in our lives?

John 18:1-11

1. We should notice the exceeding hardness of heart to which a backslider may attain.
2. We should notice the entire voluntariness of Christ’s sufferings.
3. We should notice our Lord’s tender care for His disciples’ safety.

"Let us beware of resting our hopes of salvation on knowledge however great or Christian advantages however many. We may know all doctrinal truth and be able to teach others and yet prove rotten at heart and go down to the pit with Judas."

"Let us carefully remember that our blessed Lord suffered and died of His own free will. He did not die because He could not help it. He did not suffer because He could not escape. All the soldiers of Pilate’s army could not have taken Him if He had not been willing to be taken. They could not have hurt a hair of His head if He had not given them permission."

"He watches tenderly over every one of His children and like a wise physician measures out the right quantity of their trials with unerring skill: “They shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28)."

"Determination to have our own way and do only what we like is one great source of unhappiness in the world. The habit of laying all our matters before God in prayer and asking Him to choose our portion is one chief secret of peace."

Questions:

1. We see an account of Judas, a disciple of Christ, standing with the enemies of Christ. Ryle uses this account to highlight the danger of having many spiritual privileges and yet bearing no fruit and proving to be more like Judas than we ever could have imagined. He warns against any secret sin that harbors in our souls, knowing that such a one can be the downfall of anyone. Are there any known secret sins we are harboring that we need to confess and bring to the light?
2. We see that when Jesus speaks, these armed soldiers fall back, a miracle for eyes to see it. Ryle points out that Jesus could not have been touched by these soldiers, and not even a hair of his head could be touched, without his permission. Jesus willingly suffered and died out of love for His Father and to accomplish the redemption of His people. It was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the cross! What does this glorious truth do to encourage you today?
3. We see even at the moment Jesus is to be taken away that he shows concern for and protects his disciples. Ryle draws from this a precious truth that Jesus still watches tenderly over his people and "like a wise physician measures out the right quantity of their trials with unerring skill." Do we believe that? Have we found comfort in this truth in times of trial? If not, how will we cling to this truth for tomorrow?
4. We hear Jesus declare his desire to do the will of the Father as he prepares to take the cup of suffering. Ryle draws out the point that determination to have our own way and do only what we like is one great source of unhappiness in the world. On the contrary, laying our matters before God in prayer and asking him to choose our portion is one chief secret of peace. We naturally want to go our own way, and yet Jesus, in love, gave his life so we could be saved. How many times today have we demanded our own way? this week? Would we start laying ourselves down for the good of our King and his Kingdom and say 'your will be done?'

John 17:17-26

1. We should mark how Jesus prays that His people may be sanctified.
2. We should mark how Jesus prays for the unity and oneness of His people.
3. We should mark how Jesus prays that His people may at last be with Him and behold His glory.

"Our entrance into heaven will be entirely by grace, not works, but heaven itself would be no heaven to us if we entered it with an unsanctified character. Our hearts must be in tune with heaven if we are to enjoy it. There must be a moral fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light, as well as a title. Christ’s blood alone can give us a title to enter the inheritance. Sanctification must give us a capacity to enjoy it."

"How often Christians have wasted their strength in contending against fellow Christians, instead of contending against sin and the devil!"

"We do not see Christ now. We read of Him, hear of Him, believe in Him and rest our souls in His finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not by sight and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly on the way to heaven. There will be an end of all this state of things one day. We will at length see Christ as He is and know as we have been known."

Questions:

1. Jesus prays that His Father would sanctify his people in truth and that his word is truth. Ryle draws out that this is a call for the Christian to grow in holiness, and that while the blood of Christ alone can give us a title to enter heaven, sanctification is what gives us the capacity to enjoy heaven. Does this strike you as it strikes me? We tend to think that when we die and rise that our minds will be wiped, but this hints that our enjoying of heaven begins now in sanctification. Are we growing in desiring the things of God now or do we expect that to happen suddenly in heaven?
2. The Lord Jesus prays that Christians should be one. Ryle points out that schisms and sect-making have been sadly prevalent in Church history and given the world much opportunity to not believe. Now, there are times and places when divisions should happen, yet do we treat such things lightly or as occasions for sadness?
3. Jesus prays for his people to be with him where He is. Ryle says that we do not now see Christ. We read of Him, believe in him and rest our souls in his finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not be sight and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly on the way to heaven. Yet, he encourages us to not let the vision of being with Christ be long out of our thoughts or distant from our minds. How often do we think of heaven? How will we seek to keep such hope from being long from our thoughts?

John 17:9-16

1. We learn that the Lord Jesus does things for His believing people which He does not do for the wicked and unbelieving.
2. We learn that Christ does not wish His believing people to be taken out of the world, but to be kept from the evil of it.

"This special intercession of the Lord Jesus is one great secret of the safety of all believers. They are daily watched, thought of and provided for with unfailing care, by One who never slumbers and never sleeps."

"To abide here in this vale of tears, tried, tempted, assaulted and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and to glorify Christ. To go to heaven at once in the day of conversion would doubtless be an easy course and would save us much trouble. But the easiest course is not always the path of duty. The one who would win the crown must carry the cross and show themselves light in the midst of darkness and salt in the midst of corruption."

Questions:

1. Jesus declares that he prays for his disciples and not for the world. Ryle points out that this is a particularly hated doctrine by the world, but one that should be of particular comfort for believers. And so, we need to ask ourselves: am I leaning on this truth that Jesus is praying for me? Is this a great comfort to me?
2. Jesus prays that his people be kept from evil, but not taken out of the world of evil. Ryle points out that to abide here in this vale, tried, tempted, assaulted, and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and glorify Christ. Whatever trial we are going through, are we able to trust that God knows better than us? Do we pray to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil?

John 17:1-8

1. We should notice what a glorious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s role and dignity.
2. We should notice what a gracious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples.

"Forever let us thank God that the hope of a Christian rests on such a solid foundation as a divine Saviour. He to whom we are commanded to flee for pardon and in whom we are bid to rest for peace, is God as well as Man. To all who really think about their souls and are not careless and worldly, the thought is full of comfort."

"Wherever the gracious Saviour of sinners sees true faith in Himself, however feeble, He looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects."

Questions:

1. These verses contain great truths about Jesus. As I read what Ryle lists once again, would you let your heart praise our great Savior for his mercy and grace? "We read that the Father has “given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life.” The keys of heaven are in Christ’s hands. The salvation of every soul is at His disposal. We read, furthermore, that “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The mere knowledge of God is not sufficient and saves no one. We must know the Son as well as the Father. God known without Christ is a Being whom we can only fear and dare not approach. It is “God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” who alone can give to the soul life and peace. We read, furthermore, that Christ has finished the work which the Father gave Him to do. He has finished the work of redemption and made out a perfect righteousness for His people. Unlike the first Adam, who failed to do God’s will and brought sin into the world, the second Adam has done all and left nothing undone that He came to do. Finally, we read that Christ had glory with the Father before the world was. Unlike Moses and David, He existed from all eternity, long before He came into the world and He shared glory with the Father, before He was made flesh and born of the Virgin Mary." Which of these great truths stands out to you and increases thanksgiving to His name, and why?
2. Ryle points out a number of the gracious sayings about the disciples. Jesus declares that they have kept his word, they believe Jesus has come from the Father, they have received the Father's words, and they believe that the Father sent Jesus. And all this from men who were quite weak and feeble! Ryle points out the life-giving truth that even the least degree of faith is very precious in God's sight, and that he looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects. What does this truth do to your heart today?