John the disciple appears to have been present for the events described in chapters 18 and 19. He was definitely at the cross when Jesus was dying – he is the disciple whom Jesus loved mentioned in John 19:26. He was likely present at Jesus trial before the Jewish leaders in chapter 18. Note the detail mentioned only in John’s gospel in John 18:15-16 – John was likely the disciple known to the high priest and granted access to the court where Jesus was tried.
I’m struck by the notes of compassion mentioned in his account of these events in chapter 19. They occur in the midst of cruel and bloody circumstances. The most obvious is Jesus’ compassion for His widowed mother. In verses 26-27, acting as her oldest son, He provides for her living situation after His death by asking His disciple, John, to care for her as he would his own mother. We’re told that the “disciple whom He loved” – John – took her into his own household following Jesus’ crucifixion. This speaks to the compassion of both Jesus and John.
That John would be this compassionate is fitting with his nature and the work of God in his heart. It was John who captured Jesus’ words about the world knowing we are Jesus’ disciples by our love for one another (John 13:34-35; 15:12-13, 17). It was John who wrote at length about believers loving one another (I John 2 and 3).
There is also the action of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (verses 38-42) as they care for Jesus’ body and place it in a tomb. Before that day they may have been secret disciples of Jesus – but no more. This action was a declaration of both compassion and faith.
I even catch a glimpse of compassion in Pilate, the Roman governor who ultimately allowed Jesus to be crucified. Throughout the chapter it is evident he really does not want to punish Jesus because he doesn’t think Jesus has done anything worthy of death. He seems to have been especially impressed by Jesus answer to his question in verses 9-12. However, in the end his desire to keep the crowd happy – so his superiors in Rome would be happy with him – overrode any compassion he felt for Jesus. Whereas John, Joseph, and Nicodemus chose to act on the compassion they each felt, Pilate pushed aside any feelings of compassion he had.
Genuine compassion must be more than an emotion. It must show itself in action – in behavior and words – even when doing so is risky. Showing compassion when the majority is hostile is a true act of grace. You might even say it is Christ-like.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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