The Message on the Cross
And the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. (John 19:20)
Expanded Passage: John 19:16-22
It is easy to tune out the recorded message when you are waiting at the airport: “Please do not leave your luggage unattended.” If you happen to be at an international airport, you may actually notice that the same message is played in several different languages. The multilingual recording ensures that people from all over the world understand the safety message. The irony is that this ubiquitous announcement, meant to reach all kinds of travelers, can be easily tuned out or ignored.
The sign on the cross was meant to scorn Jesus’ accusers who preferred to invoke Caesar as king instead of considering the idea that Jesus could be the Messiah. As an act of mockery, Pilate commanded that a sign affirming Jesus’ kingship be fastened on the cross. This message too was multilingual, meant to be understood by all people. The chief priests wanted to change the message to something the audience could tune out, but Pilate refused.
The irony was that, unknowingly, Pilate proclaimed that Jesus was the rightful ruler of the world. Jesus died not just to have our hearts and souls; he claimed it all. This message should not be tuned out. We cannot give allegiance to the caesars of this world and have Jesus at the same time. Either Jesus is king of all, or he is not our king at all.
Listen closely for the messages you may be tuning out.
Luigi Peñaranda is the former director of graduate programs in Spanish at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
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