So they took Jesus; and carrying the Cross by Himself, He went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the Cross. It read, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” John 19:16b-19

Beloved disciple John painfully watches human cruelty take his Savior to crucifixion. John saw Jesus carrying the Cross by Himself while other Gospels insert Simon of Cyrene carries His Cross at the latter part of the journey up the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha. John is most right when he says that Jesus is carrying the Cross by Himself because Jesus is the One perfect person on this earth whose death can destroy evil. He is the only One who can and does.

Jesus is crucified between two other men; one who newly believes in Jesus as Savior Lord and one who sarcastically rejects our Lord. Lord Jesus becomes stationed between the saved and the unsaved. The inscription tacked above him is in three languages so the announcement of The King is made available to all. Now a veil covers a descriptive morbidity of His death and points the highlight on ‘… one on either side…’ so that you may focus on Jesus’ dignity through it all, His compassion for you during His suffering, and hope openly offered to you within His unity with God.

Your saved gift from Him is awesome and astounding, really — your new oneness in relationship with God by the blood of Jesus Christ; the New Covenant. Should anyone try to tear down your saved believer’s-dignity, mock Christ before you, lead you to suffering– His compassion, glorified by God on His Cross, is your holy strength and Spirit shield. Have total confidence in Compassionate Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer.

[song, ‘How Marvelous, How Wonderful Is My Savior’s Love For Me’. https://youtu.be/LFQupH5JJME. ]