April 18, 2025
Holy Week - Good Friday
John 19:30
04/18/2025
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said,
``It is finished,'' and he bowed his head and gave
up his spirit. (ESV)
Today is the day of the greatest paradox the world has seen.
God, who displayed the fullness of His glory in creating the
heavens and the earth, who caused the children of Israel to walk
across the Red Sea on dry ground, who promised a Redeemer to pay
the price of our sin, died the death of the lowest criminal.
This evening at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity we will ponder the
account of this day as written by Saint John, the Evangelist. We
will hear the words of mockery from the crowds, and the words of
love from our Savior. Once again we will hear of the failure of
justice, the verdict rendered by Pilate, even as he knew Jesus
was innocent. Yet Pilate, in a final act of defiance, proclaimed
the truth, saying, ``Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.''[1]
During the three hours of unnatural darkness, Jesus hung on
the cross bearing the taunts of the crowd, even as He bore the
pain of the crucifixion. He forgave His executioners, assured
one of the malefactors crucified with Him, and cared for His
mother.
Finally, in the darkness, He said, ``I thirst.'' ``When
Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, `It is finished,' and
he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.''
The redemption of all people was finished, then and for all
time. Jesus' death paid the price of your sin and mine. This
salvation stands completed forever and can never be removed. For
God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son.
May our Lord grant that we hear of His love, trust in Christ
Jesus as our Redeemer, and receive the gift of everlasting life.
Amen.
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1. John 19:19