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!
