John 19:19-22 English Standard Version

¹⁹ Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹ So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” ²² Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

The plaque has been reduced to 4 initials from the Latin translation, INRI. Without some additional studies the meaning of INRI might be misunderstood. Incomplete explanations leave room for others to fill in the blank space with their own thoughts which might lead to vain imaginations.

Some just cannot live with what is written and have to obscure the truth to fit comfortably within the confines of their personal comforts.

The Jews did not have the right to remove and replace what Pilate had written.

Nor do we have the right to change what God has written. If it makes us uncomfortable then the issue is with us, not God’s Word. The religious leaders of that time had their reason for wanting the words changed.

We must remember that the first principles of truth is to drive the darkness from ourselves.

John 3:20 English Standard Version (ESV) For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Psalm 141:4 English Standard Version (ESV) Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

If our souls become discomforted by God’s Word there is good reason for it and we should look within ourselves for the problem.

His Word is the answer to our problems.

John 16:12 English Standard Version (ESV) “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

While we have been speaking to the issues of human nature, this anthem of faith was heard several times. It is this. The Holy Spirit will reveal truth as we are ready to hear it, believe it and act on it. This is the result of influences Christ has had over our human nature. In the last verse of this great chapter Jesus declares that He has overcome the world.

Did He destroy Rome and take over ruling the world? No. He was to be tempted in every way man can be tempted and remain without sin. He controlled His human nature and did not allow it to interfere with His mission.

Now with the help of the Holy Spirit, we too can control our human nature. We are not subject to every whim of our natural humanity. With His help we too can be overcomers.

What makes this verse important among so many great verses in John 16 is the issue of preparedness. If we are not ready to receive the truth, hear it, believe it and act on it, then it will be withheld until we are prepared. Thinking of it in human terms, we do not issue drivers licenses to infants.

God’s plan is to raise up a whole new generation of faithful believers. As brothers and sisters in Christ we have a place in a rather large family. Large families have complicated relational dynamics. We are all growing in Christ and as with any family, some grow faster than others. The growth in this kingdom is not genetic, it is based on faith and grace.

Romans 4:16a English Standard Version (ESV) That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring….