"It is Finished"

[Announce text] Please look with me in Scripture at John 19:17-30.

[Scripture introduction] The gospel according the John narrates the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry although the historical final hour in which we recognize as Good Friday. It is John who accentuates Jesus not only as the Son of God, but as the Passover Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). It is through his lens we read Jesus’ final hour.

[Reannounce and read text] Read with me these words about Crucifixion of Christ in John 19:17-30. [The preacher reads the Scripture passage out loud.]

[Prayer for illumination] Pray with me as we ask God to direct our hearts and minds into his sacred word. [The minister offers a brief prayer asking the Holy Spirit to bless the understanding of the preacher and hearers as God’s Word is proclaimed.]

[Introduction] Good Friday marks the end of the Lenten season in which Christian reflect on Christ’ forty day journey through the wilderness of sin.

Now, it the time of Christ’s Passion. As John describes in his gospel. The incarnated Lord is now hanging the cross. Suffering under than hands of sinful men, giving himself in sacrificial love for the world. But before we can comprehend the cross, we must beg the question.

Who is the man who hangs on this tree?

The disciple whom Jesus loved will tell us who this man truly is who hangs on a tree. [Scripture bond] John will tell us who this man and why he dies on a cross.

[Main Point 1] He is the king, yet he lived as a servant (John 19:19).

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Matthew 20:28 ESV

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

[Main Point 2] He is the righteous judge, yet he is treated as a criminal (John 19:18).

John 5:30 ESV

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

[Main Point 3] He is the Lion of Judah, and has become our Passover Lamb.

The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

The hyssop branch marks where the blood. Christ paints the cross with his blood.

“It is finish!” Our sins are fully paid!

[Sing] What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Who is the man who hangs on a tree?

He is my king!

He is my judge!

He is my sacrificial Passover Lamb who makes me whole again!

[Prayer for Transformation] Pray with me as we ask the Lord to transform us. [The minister prays for the congregation to reflect, repent, and renew themselves to Lord and to drink of the salvation of Christ.]