Good Friday (2)
Notes
Transcript
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
"It ain't over till it's over." Well, you can't argue with that.
American baseball legend Yogi Berra first uttered the phrase about baseball's 1973 National League pennant race. His team was a long way behind when he said it and they did eventually rally to win the division title. It's not the only offbeat quote from the sportsman - there's also the existential "It's like deja-vu all over again" or the wry "Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't go to yours" - but there is something about the never-say-die, no-matter-the-odds-we-can-do-this spirit of "It ain't over..." that finds a place to inspire, time and time again.
It tells people to wait, don't make a judgement yet, because the struggle still might be turned around.
But at times it is over. Sometimes it takes place after a long period of time and the end (finish) is celebrated.
Sports championships.
End of wars (VE and VJ day in 1945).
Winter — or is it?
I have mentioned not so long ago that is is good to have goals — those things that we work for and hope to do or accomplish. When we complete those goals we may proudly exclaim, “It is finished!”
I am currently putting together a paper model of a European cathedral. It takes a lot of time to cut, fold, and glue the cardboard stock pieces together to complete it. Hopefully, I will soon be able to announce that “It is finished.” Perhaps you have had that same experience when you have completed a project and task.
Jesus certainly had some goals to accomplish during his earthly ministry. What were they?
He came to reveal who God the Father is to us so that we may know clearly who the true God is and what he has done to save us.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
This passage reminds us that this work of revealing the Father to us (and the rest of Jesus’ work) is done. “After he had provided purification for sins.”
Jesus paid for our sins.
Not only did Jesus come to make his Father known, he came to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
In order to appreciate this completed work, we need to believe several biblical truths.
We are sinners who need to be saved.
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
We are answerable to God.
We are answerable to God.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We cannot save ourselves.
We cannot save ourselves.
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Jesus is the Savior we need.
Jesus is the Savior we need.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
He has completed the work. (See above)
He has completed the work.
When we know and believe this, we understand exactly what Jesus meant with his last words. He wasn’t saying that he was about to die and “My life is over.” in some despondent final acceptance of death. He was proclaiming his victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. He was proclaiming the end of the most important goal ever accomplished.
But unlike some of the victories mentioned at the start of the sermon, it didn’t seem that way at the time. All the people could see is that Jesus breathed his last and died. Soon he was removed from the cross and placed in the tomb offered by Joseph of Arimethea. His followers wept and went away filled with sadness. The soldiers were probably glad their job was done. Even several days later the women could not comprehend how Jesus would proclaim that he had indeed won the victory by his glorious resurrection. The disciples would struggle with doubt as well.
By God’s grace, we know the rest of the story. We see more than just want happened on that hill far away and long ago. Although the death of Jesus Christ our Lord saddens us and we feel responsible too for his sufferings and death, we do not despair because we believe what we will celebrate on Sunday.
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
