Monday - December 16, 2024
Behold the Man! (John 18:38-19:5)
John 1:29; 18:38-19:5; 19:6-16.
“Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!” (John 19:5)
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)
Insights from Ellen G. White (EGW):
Jesus Presented as a Humble King:
“A crown of thorns was placed on Christ's head, and a purple robe was thrown over His bruised and bleeding form. And Pilate said, ‘Behold the Man!’ The contrast between the majesty of heaven and this mockery was never more striking. Yet in that moment, the Savior revealed a dignity that the crowd could not diminish.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 735)
Commentary: Pilate’s declaration, though mocking, drew attention to Christ’s unique role as both the suffering servant and King of kings.
Christ as the Lamb of God:
“When John the Baptist declared, ‘Behold the Lamb of God,’ he announced the central theme of the plan of salvation. Christ was the sacrificial Lamb, prefigured in every offering of the sanctuary service. His mission was to take away the sin of the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 112)
Prophetic Application: John’s proclamation points to Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, making His sacrificial death the foundation of the investigative judgment and the cleansing of the sanctuary.
Christ’s Silent Dignity in Suffering:
“In His trial and suffering, Christ revealed the character of God. His silence under abuse testified to His submission to the will of His Father. He bore the guilt of the world, that through His sacrifice, humanity might have eternal life.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 742)
Commentary: Christ’s silence in the face of injustice highlights His mission as the sin-bearer. This calls believers to reflect on the depth of His love and the cost of redemption.
The Role of the Crowd:
“When Pilate presented Christ to the mob, saying, ‘Behold the Man,’ he hoped to awaken their sympathy. But the crowd, influenced by the priests and rulers, demanded His crucifixion. This reveals the danger of blindly following religious leaders instead of seeking God’s truth.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 738)
Prophetic Application: This scene foreshadows the end-time conflict, where the majority, led by false religious leaders, will reject Christ’s truth and persecute His faithful followers.
Insights from the Shepherd’s Rod (SRod):
Jesus as the Lamb and the Judge:
“‘Behold the Lamb of God’ signifies the One who bears sin, but also the One who judges sin. Christ’s dual role as Lamb and Judge calls for individual repentance, as the investigative judgment weighs every life against the standard of His character.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2, p. 175)
Commentary: The imagery of the Lamb underscores both Christ’s sacrifice and His role in the final judgment, urging believers to accept His atonement and prepare for His return.
The Crown of Thorns and the Final Victory:
“The crown of thorns symbolizes Christ’s victory over sin and Satan. Though He appeared defeated before Pilate, His ultimate triumph as King of kings is assured. Those who behold Him now in humility will behold Him in glory.” (Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 9, p. 13)
Prophetic Application: The crown of thorns represents the cost of redemption, while pointing forward to the crowning of Christ as ruler over all.
The Mob’s Role in Rejecting Truth:
“The crowd cried, ‘Crucify Him!’ not knowing that they were rejecting the Source of life. This typifies the rejection of present truth in the church, where human tradition often prevails over divine revelation.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 1, p. 104)
Commentary: Just as the crowd was manipulated into rejecting Jesus, the church today faces the danger of rejecting present truth due to popular opinion or the influence of misguided leaders.
The Lamb and the Investigative Judgment:
“The Lamb’s sacrifice was not the end, but the beginning of His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary. As the Lamb of God, He continues to cleanse the record of sin during the investigative judgment.” (Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2, p. 89)
Prophetic Application: This insight connects Christ’s crucifixion with His ongoing ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, highlighting the importance of the Day of Atonement for believers today.
Beholding Christ in His Suffering:
Pilate’s “Behold the Man” invites every believer to reflect on Christ’s humility and sacrifice. This is a call to examine our lives in light of His love and to live in gratitude for His redeeming grace.
Accepting the Lamb of God:
John’s proclamation emphasizes the need for personal repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. To behold the Lamb is to embrace the hope and assurance of salvation.
Resisting the Pressure of the Majority:
The crowd’s rejection of Christ warns against following the majority. True discipleship requires courage to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular or misunderstood.
Preparing for the Final Judgment:
Christ’s sacrifice as the Lamb is inseparable from His role as Judge. Beholding Him now in repentance and faith ensures readiness for the investigative judgment and His second coming.
Consider the Following
❖ “Behold…” (John 18:38-19:5.)
— He had ordered an innocent man to be flogged, and his guards had mocked him. Now he paraded him before the crowd awaiting his release: “Look at this poor, emaciated king! Is it worth it to him to crucify him? Let us rather let him go!” (see Jn. 19:5.)
— Unbeknownst to him, Pilate spoke a great truth. The One who stood before him, the eternal Word, had become man (John 1:14.)
— Unwittingly, he used the very words with which John the Baptist had introduced Jesus: “Behold!” (John 1:29.) Unwittingly, he was to be the hand that sacrificed the Lamb of God, the King of Israel.
— A pagan fought to free Jesus, while God's people fought to reject the one who could give salvation to both Jews and pagans.
