So clearly is portrayed, in the narrative of John, the truth that Jesus was not dying for any sin of his own that he had committed, and so his death, given so voluntarily, and so willing, can only be vicarious - that is that Jesus was giving his life in payment for the sin of others. Again how true is the prophesy of Isaiah which declared "For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken." (Isaiah 53:8b).

John tells us that Jesus was taken in charge by the soldiers. He was made ignominiously to carry his cross, like a common criminal, to the place of execution, and he was crucified as a criminal, with two others who were criminals in reality, and so again the prophesy of Isaiah 53 was so true - "because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered amongst the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12b).

Jesus voluntarily gave himself to be accounted a criminal to save us who are truly sinners before God. By this act he was declaring his readiness to take responsibility for the sin of others, and bear the guilt and the punishment in the place of the sinner, and so bring in perfect and eternal salvation for all who receive him by faith.

All this action was outward in terms of human justice, but in reality his action had far deeper significance. Jesus was dying by condemnation of a human court, and suffering humanly imposed punishment, though unjustly. Yet the truth was far deeper and more significant, because in this voluntary self-giving was symbolised the eternal and spiritual justice that was taking place. Jesus was placing himself under the justice of God, and standing before the judgement seat of God. He was answering before this eternal court of justice for the sins of all those for whom he was dying - the sinners he came to save. He was accepting our guilt, and willingly accepting the punishment due. He took our place before God's justice, and God poured out on Jesus all the severity of his justice, the death and hell our sin deserves, and Jesus willingly and patiently bore it all in love and grace.

What expression of love! What a wonderful Saviour do we behold! As the chorus expresses it "Grace! grace! wonderful grace, flowing to you and to me. Grace! grace! wonderful grace from the cross at calvary."

The ways of God are marvellous. What an awesome expression of grace and love is seen in the cross of Jesus. Something of this marvel of God's ways is seen here in what occurred at the cross. Pilate ordered the inscription to be placed on the cross of Jesus which read "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews". In spite of all the objection of the leaders of the Jews to get this changed, Pilate refused and stood firm. He gave in to the Jews in the death of Jesus, but God so ordained it that he did not do so over the designation over his cross. Here was the truth. He had committed no crime, but he really was what he claimed to be - the King of the Jews. And no ordinary king, for Jesus claimed no earthly kingdom or authority. His kingdom was real, but it was spiritual, eternal and heavenly. Jesus came to be the king of Jews, to deliver them from the bondage of sin and death in this world, as God had promised he would. This truth was being declared at his death for all to see. No one could escape the truth. Jesus is the King of Glory, but the Jews rejected their King, though Jesus is King and is still King and the King of all who will receive him.

Jesus is the King who delivers his people from sin, Satan, death and Hell. The Jews rejected this great salvation, but for all those who do receive him, they enter his kingdom, and are given power to become the children of God. Jesus the King, even on the cross, and by the cross, was delivering his people from their slavery to sin and Satan, and providing for their release and entrance into his kingdom, for Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might be free of death and hell, and be heirs of his everlasting kingdom.