Good Friday Service

Passage

John 19:17–30 NKJV

17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

How far will love take someone to rescue them?

If there is one characteristic of God that gets challenged the most it is His love.

Questions like:

If God loved us why would he allow war and earthquakes?

Why would God allow innocent people to die?

Why is God allowing disease and sickness?

Why does God allow children to suffer and die?

Why does God let people go to hell?

All these questions are legitimate questions. But how is it possible to see the love of God in a good light after questions like these?

The answer is found in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

After judgement was handed down on Jesus, he was lead away to be crucified at Golgotha.

He was crucified with two other criminals.

Pilate had a sign placed above Jesus which read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth; the King of the Jews’

The Jewish leaders demanded it be removed, but Pilate refused.

So there Jesus lay hanging on the cross. Left to die.

The question that needs to be asked is why?

Why would Jesus do this? Why would he endure the shame, the humiliation and the suffering for us?

No one else would do it, why would he?

The answer is verse 28 to 30.

He did it because he loved us too much to die.

John 19:28–30 NKJV

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

I cannot fathom the weight on Jesus on the cross that very day.

The weight of the sin of the world was upon his shoulders.

He bore the brunt of what was meant for us.

That is love.

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

“Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; he waited until one of them turned to him.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

The love of God is evident in the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Two truths to the cross of Christ that demonstrates how much God loves us.

Jesus knew the cost and yet He obeyed His heavenly Father (28).

Philippians 2:8 NKJV

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Luke 22:41–42 NKJV

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Jesus only momentarily considered his own well-being when he prayed to His Father. Yet still, He concerned Himself more with the Father’s will not His own.

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

2. Jesus knew the cost and still died for us (29-30).

Colossians 1:20–22 NKJV

20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Corinthians 1:30–31 NKJV

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Conclusion

Jesus expressed His love for you by offering His life as a substitute for your’s.

He bore the punishment you deserved. He suffered and died in your place.

He died and was risen again all so that when you believed by faith in Christ, you will have eternal life.

Yes it is true that there is suffering, but suffering without hope is the cruelest of blows for humanity.

Jesus takes our suffering and places it on Himself. We then become the beneficeries of eternal life because of what He had done for us.

Recieve this free gift of salvation.

Turn to Christ even in your despair. He knows and He hears!