Good Friday, 2008
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
John 19:17-30
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Throughout the year it is truly good and salutary to contemplate upon the crucifixion of our Lord. Yet, we set this day aside especially to mediate upon its meaning. Tonight we focus on the passion of the Christ based upon the Apostle John’s account. John gives to us a unique perspective. In fact, his vantage point comes literally from the foot of the cross. Our Gospel text states in verse twenty-five saying,
...but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:25-27 ESV)
As church history testifies, it was the Apostle John who took the Virgin Mary into his home to care for her as a mother. It is the same Apostle who writes this Gospel account so that we too would believe in the fulfilled work of Jesus. Verse thirty-five states, “He who saw it has borne witness— his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth— that you also may believe” (John 19:35 ESV). For this purpose, we listen and learn John’s account that we too may believe all that Jesus fulfilled in the cross. Faith comes by hearing.
Each one of the four Gospel accounts of the Passion of the Christ reveal to us different aspects of this event. The fact remains that we were not there when they crucified the Lord. But, John the Apostle was there. He is an eyewitness of the crucifixion. Where the other Apostles had fled, it was John alone who gives to us a unique first hand account. In John’s Gospel, he specifically records the words of Jesus saying, “It is finished.” These words tell it all.
Did you notice the new banner on the outside window? These words of our Lord are written on this banner. In the foreground of the banner, you will find golden fancy fabric depicting the torn curtain that was located in the Temple of the Lord. Where the fabric is torn, there is the cross set on a red background. The red symbolizes the blood of Jesus that was poured out on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross, it marked the end of the Temple sacrifices on earth and the end of the Temple itself. No longer is there a need for the continual animal sacrifices pointing us to Jesus, because Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His sacrifice was once and for all completed on the cross. No longer is there a need of a high priest in Jerusalem going before the Lord on our behalf, because Jesus is the true High Priest in Heaven interceding in our behalf. It is finished!
We know the sense of accomplishment. What a wonderful feeling it is when we can say it is finished. It is done! It is over with! Whether it is a project at work, a board game at home, or test a school, we know the sense of relief. When you write that final sentence of a paper and print it out, you can say, “It is finished!” Of course, as the current school year is drawing to a close, we can relate to the desire to finish the year or the longing for the day of graduation. At that graduation ceremony, students and parents can say, “Finally. It is finished.”
However, we also know the reality that as soon is one thing is finished, another thing begins. This is most clearly seen in the education system. After you finish kindergarten, then you move on to first grade. Once you are finished with elementary school, then you head on to middle school. Once you are finished with middle school, then you head off to high school. Once high school is finished, then there is college. Once college is finished, then there is graduate school. Once all school is finished, then there is the learning at the job site. In reality, we will always remain students who learn new things.
Yet at the same, we also know that learning is not finished when school is let out. To some degree or another, we are all continually students of this subject or that. In this life, we can never really be finished with all learning. There will always be something that we can learn. As far as education and learning go, we can never truly say, that we are finished. But with salvation things are totally different. It is finished. There is nothing yet to be done. Jesus doesn’t say, “It is almost finished” as if you need to complete the work on the cross. No, with Jesus it is finished.
Our Gospel text states, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:28-30 ESV). As our text state, Jesus fulfilled all that was written about Him in the Old Testament. Specifically at this point in the crucifixion, He fulfilled the words of Psalm 69 which state, “…and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink” (Psalm 69:21 ESV).
Throughout the days before the crucifixion and even the days after the crucifixion, Jesus did what was foretold that He would do. In this way, there would be no mistaking that He is the promised Messiah. For this reason, the Gospel writers continuously quote from the Old Testament showing forth all that Jesus fulfilled in His words and deeds.
When Jesus did all that was told of the suffering and crucifixion, He then cried out, “It is finished.” It was all fulfilled. It was all completed. The suffering came to an end. God and sinner are reconciled. Jesus did all that was needed to secure salvation for us. Our debt is paid in full. It is finished. He did what needed to be done. Jesus is the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Because of His death on the cross, we can be sure that God has had mercy on us and forgives us all of our sins. For this reason, we call this Friday good. Amen.
