Read John 19:1-42

Did you know that in Jesus Christ Superstar, the rock opera that is currently traveling through the USA, there is an entire song about John 19:41? The musical ends with this dramatic song. Titled “John Nineteen forty-one”, the song has no lyrics. I just wonder why someone would write a song about one just one verse, especially this one? And why didn’t they end it with The Resurrection? What is the message here?

The music opera is loosely based on the truth of The New Testament and it can be misleading. It omits The Resurrection as well as other facts. The ending of this opera was not the end. The Resurrection is the reason that Jesus Christ is and was a superstar!

The lyrics to the title song -“Superstar” – were written by Sir Timothy Rice. Regarding Christianity he says, “I don’t follow it. I wouldn’t say I was a Christian. I have nothing against it.”

The first line of the lyrics of the title song, SUPERSTAR says it all:

“Every time I look at you I don’t understand.”

The Bible says:

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.“

2 Corinthians 4:4

What is the message?

The Bible’s message is that Jesus is like no one else – He is both God’s Son (John 3:16) and God Himself – God in human flesh (I Timothy 3:16). He is fully man, and He is also fully God (Colossians 2:9).

John 19 is about when Jesus was crucified between two other men. Jesus’ death was important because it was the final sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus cried loudly, “It is finished” (v 30).

And then He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

He died physically, which is important because of The Resurrection that followed in Chapter 20, which is why He is a superstar.

If you confess with your mouth and believe (Romans 10:9) in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, “Jesus is Lord,” you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

Jesus’ dead body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus and wrapped with strips of linen. Jesus was buried in a new tomb (v 41) – owned by Joseph – in a garden that was very near the site of crucifixion.

3 days later, this tomb was empty.

What does this mean for you? In what way does Jesus’ death and resurrection impact the world today? In what way does it immediately impact your faith?

Say a quick prayer of thanksgiving for all that Jesus took on for you and the life that you now have because of it!

Tom Weckesser