Its Friday, but Sunday is coming!

 John 19.28-42

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.”29A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

      31Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” 37And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”

      38After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.39Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 40So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

As I sit here to write for Good Friday, I have been reading the John’s account of the arrest and trials of Jesus. I have read over and over again the accounts of Jesus crucifixion, death and burial. It is of course familiar since this will be my 24^th Good Friday since I began in full time ministry. The Gospels’ accounts of the last moments of Jesus’ life remain as powerful as ever; even in spite of the time that has passed from when I first started preaching until now.

It might amaze you to know that I have never really written a Good Friday sermon. I have tried many times to write a proper sermon. I have worked hard, spending much time trying to write a good sermon and yet I come back to one simple thing: I need to just tell the story and what I know about those last hours of Jesus’ life and allow them to speak to the people who listen to my preaching. The ways in which he suffered and the ways in which he endured and strove to overcome things to find victory all leading to that moment when he declares victor over the flesh, death, the grave and all our enemies. In that moment, Jesus boldly declares “it is finished” and gives up his life to God having been faithful to accomplish all that the Father had asked of him. Jesus lived out what he has taught his disciples, “No greater love has anyone than this: that he given up his life for his friends.”

When I consider those last hours I think of the strength and the dignity that Jesus showed and gave to those who would eventually step up and step out to bring forth the Church and actively proclaim the kingdom in the time ahead. He did it for the original followers sure, but also for me and you as ones who follow in their ancient footsteps. So many thought Jesus was dead and gone; that all he did and participated in was now finished. Kaput! Many in places and positions of authority thought that they had dealt with Jesus and he was no more. There would be no more miracles and outrageous teaching. There would be more challenges to those who could make a difference and there would be no more attempts to revolutionize the status quo. Jesus was now considered to be a man who found his end and would soon be out of mind. His followers were chased into the shadows, the corners and the dark places of the city. They would be easily dealt with if that became necessary.

What was it like to go back to that room where they had shared their final meal together? What would it have been like to go back and sit in the dark with the windows shuttered tight and the doors locked for fear of what happens next? Would it be you or me that they come for next? What would the dark do to me? How would I come through it?

Well, now I have somewhere to go as a direction as to what to preach on Friday and a basic theme. Maybe for the moment we have what we need to hang onto until we get to the light of Sunday morning. We know that he has told us he will rise again – he would suffer, be killed and rise again. Like seeds in the earth with him, we await that moment when we shall rise. We know it’s Friday... but Sunday is comin’!

Jason+