Friday, April 14, 2017

The Story Isn’t Over
John 19 (NLT)

“So they took Jesus away.  Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).  There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them…
 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did…
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit…
Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.  With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds[k] of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.  Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.  And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”


But the story isn’t over.  Praise God it doesn’t end there! While it is important to realize the magnitude of His suffering and death, we cannot stay exclusively in mourning.  What a gift and privilege that we know this isn’t the end of the story.  That, after two days, He conquered death and paved a way for a relationship between us and Himself when we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation.  This Good Friday - - and every day - - may we be people who recognize the high cost of His sacrifice and equally celebrate the gift of His resurrection!