The Hope of the New Covenant

This is going to be my final lesson before I leave for Alabama, and it has been both instructional and encouraging to go through Scripture with you these past few weeks. Looking at the Covenants that God has made with those in times past, and the covenant we just celebrated last week, has all been in an effort to display how God has demonstrated his love towards all mankind, from the beginning of our interactions with him. God has spared nothing in his efforts to reunite us and all of creation with himself, not even his own son. Which is what we are looking at today, the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Some of you may be wondering why do this, if the series was supposed to be about the covenants, then why bother with the Crucifixion and resurrection, isn’t it explained enough by the Lord’s Supper? I would admit, yes, the Lord’s supper does clarify the purposes behind the crucifixion and resurrection, but clarification is not enough. In some aspects, reenactment can serve as a beneficial correction, show me how Thomas got hit? How would you act differently? Show me what that looks like. In that scenario, the child is corrected and can learn. But this is a much more serious nature than a simple squabble. When you appear before a judge in court to dispute a traffic violation, clarification is not the issue, nor would reenacting the scene suffice in dispensing justice. The Lord’s supper serves as a reminder of the actions that took place in Jerusalem, on the night he was crucified,this is why even our own table says, In remembrance of me. They are not substitutions for the event itself.

In looking back at this event we will be returning to John, chapter 19. In this chapter Jesus has already been tried before the Sanhedrin, and brought before Pontius Pilate, each step of the way having been laid out centuries previous by the prophets, demonstrating that despite the hopelessness of the situation, this tragedy was intended. Pilate has interrogated Jesus several times in an attempt to determine what he had done wrong, and in each attempt to convey this to the Jews, he is met with harsh rebuttal, and caves to their cries for crucifixion. Having done everything short of killing him, Pilate is left with no recourse, he sentences Jesus to be crucified, that same day. We pick up with this story in verse 16:

“They divided my clothes among themselves,

The New Revised Standard Version The Crucifixion of Jesus

So they took Jesus; 17 and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says,

“They divided my clothes among themselves,

and for my clothing they cast lots.”

25 And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

“So they took Jesus; 17 and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” 25 And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

and for my clothing they cast lots.”

25 And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

In this section we read of the suffering saviour, the Deity who shed that position, and entered into creation to save what was desperately lost. All of the gospel, up until this has been a progression towards this moment. There is so much that is going on in this scene that it has been the subject of hundreds of books, several movies, and countless sermons throughout the ages and yet we have never come close to explaining it in its fullness. None of us could imagine the immense sacrifice, or the scope of this event. We have never been God, and we have never had to condescend to such an extent. What ought to strike every believer in this moment is both the immense uniqueness of these events, but also how they are folded into the mundane. Here we have, what from the outside is just another three criminals being crucified, a symbol of Roman Justice, and worth no more notion than that, but at the foot of the cross we are confronted with disputes, prophesy, and divine justice for a whole world that has transgressed. The first dispute that arises is in regards to Pilate’s sign that he has hung over Jesus. Written in the three most common languages of the area, not a soul who was present and could read would not have understood it “King of the Jews”. The chief priests are taken aback at this, don't say that he was the king of the Jews, just that he said he was. After all, they were no more keen on the Romans than they were on Jesus, and they still hoped for someone to overthrow them, it would be too much a blow to their pride, both to admit Jesus as king, but also to admit that their king had died.

The New Revised Standard Version The Resurrection of Jesus

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit

But this isn’t done for no reason. Jesus is indeed the king of the Jews, in fact he is the king of kings, the lord of lords. But in this instance he looks anything but lordly. He is beaten within an inch of his life, stripped of clothing, and hanging, gasping for breath, between two other simple criminals. he just looks like another man. Our image of a king is of someone wrapped in finery, festooned with jewels, who sits on a golden throne. Our kings live in castles, they have festivals in their honour, they are celebrated by every citizen, our kings are the symbols of mortal man trying to play at immortality. But their wealth will fade, their kingdom’s will crumble and their memories will vanish from the hearts of men. But this is different, this is God himself, abandoning immortality, and dying to grant life to those who had lost it. Jesus serves to coronate each of our lives, his is the crown that covers our head as we pledge ourselves to God, and it is for this reason that he is deserving of our praise and glory because it is already his. This king is who the Jew’s needed, but they couldn’t recognize him for who he was.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989),

The second dispute is over his garment, while divided his clothes among the four guards that escorted Jesus to Golgotha. But his tunic was made in a rich design, not sewn together, but rather woven as one piece from head to toe. This they decided to cast lots for, as to divide it would be to ruin it. This also fulfilled Davids prophecy in the psalms, but the garments are not without their symbolism as well. The division of his garments into four parts represent the gospel being spread to the four corners of the earth. This event of Christs death will lead to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the hearts of believers will be driven to share with great joy, what God has done for them in this moment. The seamless tunic represents Christs undivided, whole nature. It is his position both as the son of man and the son of God to unite all those who would seek to believe. His ministry is seamless, his church and future bride is whole, and this unity is possible only through him.

Furthermore, there has been a prophecy older than David which is being played out here. Christ carried the beam of his cross to the place of the skull, knowing that he would be a sacrifice for all of mankind. Much like Isaac, who centuries ago had carried the wood for his own sacrifice up the mountain, at his father’s behest. But where Abraham was not required to sacrifice his own son, it is only by this sacrifice now that it wasn’t necessary. Poet and theologian Kontakion has this to say about the sacrifice of Isaac and Christ:

In you, Abraham, I foreshadow my plans,

For indeed, O righteous one,

You are clearly my figure in relief.

Do you want to know what is to come after you as a result of your [actions]? For this is why I had you ascend here, to show you.

For just as you did not spare

Your son on account of me,

So also I on account of all

Will not spare my son;

Instead I will give him to be slain for the sake of the world.” …

“In the same way that your Isaac carried

The wood on his shoulders,

My son will bear the cross upon his shoulders.

Your great love has revealed

Also what is about to happen.

See now the ram [caught up] in the wood;

When you see where its superior strength comes from, you will understand the mystery: It is by the horns that these bonds are overcome;

The horns signify the hands of my son.

Not only did they slaughter [my son] for me,

But I also continue to protect your son for you.”

From the beginning, each act of grace that was given to mankind from God is a foreshadow of God’s justice being satisfied in full by Christ’s own sacrifice. Christ is the ram caught in the thorns, he is the substitution for Isaac, and for the whole of mankind. We were destined to die, but he determined that we would live and live a life more abundant. Christ is the head of the church, and the place he establishes this headship is on a hill known as the Skull, the blood of the second Adam washing away the sins of the first Adam.

We also see that Jesus doesn’t endure this alone. His disciples are present, and most of them are women, His mother, her sister, as well as John. Jesus desires that his mother be cared for by a believer, seeing as his brothers have all turned away from him. So looking at John, he commands him to care for Mary as though she were his won mother. Mary, the woman who pondered all the things she saw Jesus do and be a part of, would be found praying with the disciples later on in Acts. Her testimony, the one who first saw the Lord incarnate and saw within him, something that amazed her. Here she is, seeing her first born son, dying like a common criminal, yet she never loses that amazement and wonder.

Jesus only says two other things, I am thirsty. But what is he thirsty for, is it his body crying out for physical relief? Possibly, but consider this, in the garden he prays that the cup of suffering would pass from him, sweating drops of blood he begged that if it was possible he would be spared the pain of death. It was not enough for christ to suffer, he must also voluntarily give up his life. The greatest symbol Christ offers to the believer is a life lived in full obedience to God. One that endured physical trials and rejection so that he may do the Father’s will. After they respond to his physical needs, he declares the end, but not in defeat, in triumph. It is Finished! It is over, his ministry is now complete. He is the perfect lamb, slain for the sake of many. It is by his sacrifice that the human system of death, violence, and destruction is unfolded and it has a new end, one where it can embrace God and accept his sacrifice on their behalf so that they may be free from everlasting death apart from God. And then he gives up the spirit. But praise God that it doesn’t end here, he is not yet finished. We read, in the next chapter, beginning in verse 1:

The New Revised Standard Version The Resurrection of Jesus

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her

Joel C. Elowsky, ed., , Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007), 307–308.

The New Revised Standard Version The Resurrection of Jesus

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

The New Revised Standard Version The Resurrection of Jesus

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes

The New Revised Standard Version The Resurrection of Jesus

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

He has risen again from the dead, he is not defeated by the grave. Hallelujah, God is faithful! So where are we, where is the Church, and what does this have to do with the last supper now? The church exists in between, we are covered in the blood of Christ, sure of our place in heaven and we proceed throughout life in faith. Through the same faith that justified Abraham, through the same faith that encouraged Noah to build a boat. The same faith that brought the children of Israel through the exodus. And the same faith that lead David to praise god for what was yet unfulfilled. We exist in between. Each day we must die to ourselves, sacrificing our own desires for what God has tried to instill in us. We war against ourselves, often “doing what we know we ought not do and not doing what we know we should,” as Paul points out. We are dead in sin and alive in Christ, but we now walk through life in the faith of the New Covenant, that it would be fulfilled, that he will come again to share the meal with us, and that we will be brought up with him. We still live, but the path that lies before us, the one that lies before all mankind, has already been conquered, and a cloud of witnesses stand on the other side, seeking to encourage us in emulating Jesus Christ. With that, let us pray.