Esther Griggs

The events of the crucifixion of Jesus were written in eternity. There were entered there by the Word of God, through His prophets. It stands a monument, yet much more beyond our frail understanding. The location of His crucifixion, the manner of His death, and the handling of His garments were among the details foretold by the prophets and Jesus Himself.

Location

The location of His death was prepared for in the book of Numbers. Golgotha became the destination as Jesus took up His cross. He knew that according to the law, anything cursed was sent outside the camp, away from the people. Golgotha was beyond the city gates. Jesus knew He was taking on the curse for all mankind. The writer of Hebrews clarifies, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might set apart the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”

Manner of His Death

The manner of His death was prophesied by both King David and Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah writes that He was despised and rejected of men. This man carried our sorrows and bore our griefs. It was for our transgression, and our sins that He died. Isaiah further writes, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Indeed Jesus, was nailed to the cross, the Son of God between two thieves. Jesus also predicted His betrayal, condemnation, crucifixion and resurrection. Matthew records, “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. and the third day He will rise again.”

Handling of Garments

Even the handling of His garments was foretold. In Psalm 22, the words of King David give a vivid picture of the crucifixion of Jesus. He predicted many details. These details included the seemingly unimportant matter of what happened to His clothes. “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots,” he wrote.

God used prophecy as a means of adding validity to events when they happened. The location of His crucifixion, the manner of His death, and the handling of His garments were among the details foretold by the prophets and Jesus Himself.

Jesus completed His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane by praying for me. When He pleaded into the dark of that night saying, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their words,” He looked down and watched as from generation to generation His words ministered from one heart to another until one thirteen- year- old girl heard once again of His love for her at a camp meeting and believed. How about you?

When He prayed for us what was on His mind? What where the concerns that fastened Him to the Father on our behalf, amid His own dark night? Jesus prayed first for oneness as a testimony to the world, second, that we would be together with Him and finally that the love which His Father loved Him would be in us, and He would be in us.

Oneness

He pleaded first for Oneness with the Father and the Son. Oneness was of utmost importance! Who Jesus was, the word of life, “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,” shared all that He was so they could be one with Him. “I in them and You in Me, that that they may be perfect in one.” Their unity, their love and united focus on God the Father and the Christ would be the witness to the world. They would know God sent Jesus and He loved them just as God had loved the Son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!” The oneness became the picture.

Together

Secondly, He prayed that they will be with Him where He is. Separation pains us. We long for loved ones. Jesus felt it too. “I want them to experience all that we have shared since before the world even began. for You loved me even before then.” Jesus was making it possible, under the direction of His Father for His children to be together forever in His kingdom.

I in Them

Finally, as He utters, “O righteous Father” He prayed “I have declared Your name and I will declare it.” Why? He wanted the love with which the Father had loved Him to be in them. He Himself, to be in them.”

John recorded these words of Jesus, and they are sent on down through history, living words beyond time, into eternity for me and you. Jesus prayed first for oneness as a testimony to the world, second, that we would be together with Him and finally that the love which His Father loved Him would be in us, and He would be in us. May it be so, amen and amen!