[This sermon was preached on Good Friday 2014 at Cornerstone Christian Church, El Dorado Hills]
Dying Words
for Living
Good Friday 2014
Introduction
DVD Illustration: Far and Away, ch. 1, 6:19-8:12 "“You’re an odd boy, Joseph.” You came back to tell me that?"
Matthew 27, Luke 23, John 19, Mark 15
But in many ways, the words of Jesus, spoken as he was hanging
on the cross, are even stranger. If he really knew he was going to rise on the
3rd day, couldn’t he have said some words of comfort? “Don’t worry
folks, this death is just temporary.” Or “Don’t be sad. It will be all right.”
Maybe even just a wink, to let those who knew, in on his little resurrection
secret. But he didn’t. So, why did he speak seven times?
These last seven sentences of Jesus were from the cross, the
place of execution. And each one cost him. Death on a cross is a slow, painful
death by asphyxiation. Hanging down with your hands above you, you cannot
breathe because your lungs cannot fill. In order to speak, Jesus had to raise
himself, his hands pulling and his feet pushing against the iron nails that
pinned them to the cross. His back, raw from the flogging with bits of nail and
bone and glass, rubbing against the rough splintered face of the cross. Just to
get a breath. He could choose to breathe, or he could choose to speak. Each
word cost him. We listen to Jesus’ last words, not because he was ignorant of the coming resurrection, but because the people
were living like they were ignorant
of his impending return from death.
He spoke to give hope-but it was a strange type of hope. It
is the type of hope that is only learned by coming face to face with the apparent
absence of God. Jesus had been a visible, tangible part of people’s lives for
at least three years and in some cases his whole life. Now he is going away.
How those listening and watching Jesus react--good or bad--is a test of their
hope because these days after Jesus’s death are a sneak preview of life. Now Jesus
has returned to heaven and we who are heirs of the resurrection—we who possess
the words of life--face the same test of our
hope. Will we trust him? Will we take him at his word?
No. The answer is no. We fail. But it is in our failure that
we must grapple with God’s great grace towards us. So these words of Jesus from
the cross—these seven last words—teach us how to live with God’s absence, our
failure, and God’s amazing goodness.
First, he offers forgiveness.
Forgiveness
Luke 23:34: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not
know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Executions were public. They were public spectacles. Like
hangings, but stretching on for hours. The city of Jerusalem was full of
pilgrims who had come to celebrate the Jewish holy day of Passover, which would
start at sun down. The crucifixion of Jesus was like the television broadcast
of an electric chair execution of a death row inmate. Horrifying, but somehow
irresistible.
From the cross, erected on the hill Golgotha—which means
‘place of the skull’—Jesus had a unique, unenviable view of the variety within
the crowds. Not everyone was sad to see Jesus go. Not the priests, not the rulers, not the
Romans.
The chief priests (who were Sadducees) were relieved
that Jesus was dying, because he threatened their position. If the Romans saw him as ‘King of the Jews’
(as was written on the sign above his head, cf. John 19:19-21), they would, at
best, remove the priesthood, and at worst, torch Jerusalem and the temple. They had spent their life cultivating an
uneasy truce—an accommodation--with the Romans and their culture. Jesus
jeopardized that. They could breathe easy.
The rulers (who were probably Pharisees) were relieved
that Jesus was dying, because he threatened their position. They
sneered, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the
Chosen One.” (Luke 23:25). The Pharisees saw their country’s current pitiful situation
as due to moral failure—a spurning of God’s laws. Their solution was demanding,
exacting observance of the Law—for purification. Then they made laws about the
laws. The Pharisees were the political correctness police—the arbiters of the
Law. When Jesus exposed their do-gooder-ism was just a mask for selfishness
trying to gain negotiating leverage with God, they decided he couldn’t
be the Messiah. Time to look for another Messiah who met their criteria.
The Romans were relieved that Jesus was dying, because he
threatened their position. If Israel didn’t control the important trade
route along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean, they probably would have
given it up as too much trouble. Little Messiahs, little revolts, little bands
of rebels. Now the Jews want to hand one
over for execution? Ok, no problem. The Roman soldiers thought it was funny
that Jesus was all the “king” and “prophet” the Jews could come up with: “If
you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” (Luke 23: 37, cf. Luke 22:64) He
was a nuisance. But guard duty got the grave goods and a quick game of dice to
decide who got the best piece.
Jesus looks down from the cross. “Father, forgive them, for
they don’t know what they’re doing.” They want peace, but have missed the one
who gives. When coming to Jerusalem, Jesus said: “If you [Jerusalem], even you, had only known
on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
(Luke 19:42) What they really wanted was peace, and they were killing that
peace on the cross.
But Jesus gives what they don’t even know they are missing.
Jesus gives us what we don’t even know we are missing. The peace we deeply
desire does not come from our position, our status or our
significance. It comes from Jesus’ position, Jesus’ status and Jesus’
significance. We don’t know we are doing. But Jesus still offers forgiveness.
But we are not convinced that we need forgiveness. That is
why Jesus’ second words from the cross tell us of separation.
Separation
Forgiveness is not free. In Matthew (27:46) it says: “About
three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me?”).
Jesus’ is quoting first line of an ancient song, recorded in
the 22nd psalm that describe the author’s feelings of separation
from God. Why was he separated from God? Because of he had sinned against God.
But wait. Jesus sinned? No. He carried our sin. The Bible says: “God made him
who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21)
Something unique happened at the cross. For all of eternity,
the Father and the Son and the Spirit, the three aspects or persons of God had
lived together in perfect harmony and community. Jesus said, “I and the Father
are one.” But on the cross the offenses of every man, woman and child is
introduced to Jesus and he feels the separation that this sin necessarily
implies and he cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” How can
they live like this? How can they be ok with this? It is a half-life, with the
spiritual part of us strangled--missing—dead.
Sin is not just what we have done wrong, it is the ‘being
ok’ with being away from God.
That’s why Jesus third words are needed, to speak of
salvation.
Salvation
Luke 23:43: Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you
will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus says these words to another audience. First, there
were the chief priests, the rulers, the Romans and now there are…the rebels.
While some translations use the word ‘robber’ or ‘thief’ a better word in this
context is that Jesus was executed between two rebels—maybe even allies of
Barabbas, the murderer released in the governor’s amnesty plan just hours
before.
One of these rebels uses one of his last moments to insult
Jesus: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39) Talk about
wasting your breath. If they were rebels, they fought against those who pushed
them down-the Romans, to bring them down. Now, in death, the first rebel’s
words to Jesus are angry words, to bring him down.
But the other rebel’s words are startling-so unexpected they
deserve a careful look. First, he realizes that difference between his life and
Jesus’ life: “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds
deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:41) Second,
breathtakingly, he asks for help, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) I read that this week, and it almost made me laugh. The
sheer audacity, the sheer craziness of asking a dying Jesus for help, it makes
you wonder if the world is upside-down. Go to a hospital, find the man with the
tubes running into his veins and in his nose and ask him for a portion in his kingdom?
But he did. “Remember me…”
Jesus’ words let us know what is really essential. You can
live for about 8 weeks without food, you can live for maybe a week without
water, you can live for 4 minutes without air, but you cannot live for one
moment longer…without the grace of God. “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Salvation is the spiritual re-awakening to a starting-right-now
eternal relationship with God - based on the Jesus’ act of forgiveness on the
cross.
That forgiveness creates a new community. The community of
the forgiven.
Relationship
Jesus’ fourth words from the cross speak to this new type of
community relationship, especially in the times when God seems distant.
John records (John 19:26-27): “When
Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he
said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your
mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
Only one disciple is mentioned at the cross (John), but many
women made the heart-wrenching trip to see Jesus die, including four(!) named
Mary. This may seem obvious, but Jesus gave special attention to the spiritual
lives of women in a society where they were ignored. They looked to Jesus as a
rabbi, who would give significance, in his death, there was only resignation.
They would watch him die, they would wail for him, they would perfume his body.
They would carry on, but they had hoped for so much more. How much more for
Mary, the mother of Jesus!
As the oldest son, Jesus would have received a double
portion of the inheritance and a double portion of the responsibility,
including the responsibility of looking after his mother. Upon Jesus’ death
this role would have naturally fallen to James or one of Mary’s other children.
Instead he charges John “whom he loved” with this family responsibility. Why? Because
our relationship is closer.
In some ways, it is easier to love the family you were born
with. Some families are great, some are horrible, but at least they are known
quantities. But to love the family you have joined with Jesus, brings you into
a brother/sister, parent/child, uncle/aunt/cousin relationship with, well, me, or
you. All sorts of strange people.
Jesus was going away. But he left his new brothers and
sisters to be Jesus with skin on. Will you be that?
Will you adopt someone in church? If you’re like me and
struggle, just pick one. Start with one. Let God in and remake your heart
towards one. Then make room for another. Play up the family of God. Play up the
church. Don’t play it down.
He gave the word of Relationship because he knew we would
need it.
Distress
Jesus’ fifth word speaks to us in our distress. He knew that
we would need each other to do what God asks us to do.
John 19:28: Later, knowing that
everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Why does Jesus say this? Some have looked at the “Scripture
fulfilled” part and assumed Jesus did this because there was a prophecy (Isaiah
69:21) about supplying of wine vinegar to ease that thirst, Jesus said this.
That is, Jesus had a mental prophecy checklist and there was one box still unchecked
and he thought to himself after 6 hours hanging on the cross, “Guess I need a
drink now.”
I think he said “I am thirsty” because….he was thirsty.
- 1. First, Jesus speaks to let us know that he has been at the physical extremes.
- 2. Second, Jesus speaks to let us know that even in this distress, it is possible to be fulfilling God’s purpose.
- 3. Third, Jesus speaks to let us know that admitting this allows others to step in and help.
- 4. Fourth, Jesus speaks to let us know that allowing others to help is essential to fulfilling our purpose.
He knew thirst. He knew weariness. Dehydration was already
setting in, and his mouth was parched, but he still needed to speak. We’re only
on his fifth word, two more to go.
Someone, probably one of his disciples, heard his distress
and ran to fill a sponge with a jar of wine vinegar, and lifted it to his lips.
Wetting his lips, letting it dribble into his mouth, it was enough so that he
could speak what came next.
Did you catch that? Jesus needed help to fulfill his
purpose. In our life, we have a purpose. In our life, we have distress. The
resource God provides to bridge purpose across the distress is other people. He
has set up this group—this church--here so that we can bridge the
distress. There are only two categories:
those in need and those in strength.
We need to fulfill our purpose and we need help.
Commitment
Then Jesus speaks in the sixth word to let us know where,
despite all appearances, we should trust God.
Luke 23:46: Jesus called out with a
loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said
this, he breathed his last. (Psalm 31:5)
In traditional Japanese
restaurants, there is always a head chef, a master chef. You can go to these
restaurants and you can order from a menu. Or you can say, “Omakase” which
literally means “I leave it (or entrust it) to you.” In which case you don’t get what you want,
but rather what the excellence and creativity of the master chef can produce.
Jesus’ words aren’t just the
wishful thinking of a dying man saying, “I hope somebody is out there.” He
says: “Father” he says. That’s relationship. “into your hands.” That’s what the
Father can do. “I commit” That’s trust. “my spirit” That’s the extent of my
commitment. This wasn’t just Jesus’ dying gasp, this was the way Jesus’ lived
his life.
Each day, omakase. I entrust
myself to you God. I await your excellence and creativity.
"I have placed many
things in my hands and lost them all, but whatever I place in God's hands I
still have them." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Triumph
Jesus last word seems very final. “It is finished.” Done.
Complete. Period. But the whole lesson that Jesus teaches through the cross is
that, in God, every period is not the end of a sentence. It is the chance for
God to write a new one.
John 19:30: When he had received
the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave
up his spirit.
What was finished? His mission. “I have come that you may
have life and have it more abundantly.” “I have come to seek and to save that
which was lost.”
In the city, in the temple, on the eve Passover, the priests
were preparing the lamb that commemorated God’s intervention to end the years
of slavery and open the path to a new freedom. They did every year.
Outside the city, on a cross, on the eve of Passover, the
soldiers were preparing the Jesus, the Lamb of God who commemorates God’s
intervention in our lives to end years of slavery to sin and open the path to a
new freedom. He did it once.
So what happened when Jesus said these last words:
First, “the curtain of the temple was torn.” Because of
Jesus, we can have direct, restored, relationship with God. He bore the cost of
forgiveness; the weight of our wrong-doing; so that we have access.
Matthew 27:50-54 (ESV), “And Jesus
cried out again with a loud voice and yield up his spirit. And behold, the
curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Second, “the earth shook”. The natural world reacted.
And the earth shook, and the
rocks were split.
Third, “the tombs also were opened and many bodies of the
saints who had fallen asleep were raised…” Death was breached. The sentence of
sin has always been death. But the cross of Jesus goes past death, into new
uncharted territory: resurrected life. We often think of life as being tied to
“Easter” (with Jesus’ resurrection) but even in his death, there was life.
The tombs also were opened. And
many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and coming out
the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to
many.
Fourth, the “centurion and those who were with him…were
filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the son of God.” It is interesting to
note that in the death of Jesus only the criminal and the oppressor recognized
Jesus’ death as extraordinary. The disciples, went away beating their breast.
The women went away in resignation The Pharisees and chief priests went away in
satisfaction.
When the centurion and those who
were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took
place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
It is finished. So that it can begin.
God will take us to the extremes, to bring out from our
heart what really lies within. Jesus words give a guided tour of our
reactions—to come face to face with our expectations, hopes and dreams and
realize how utterly inadequate they are.
The problem is that our dreams are too small, because they
revolve around us. It is not about us winning. It is about God winning.
The problem is that our dreams rely on us, getting our act
together, managing the situation and getting out ahead. It is not about our
getting out ahead. It is about God being
ahead.
The cross is the finish of dreams…our dreams. But it can be
the start of God’s dreams, if we are willing to admit the gap between him and
us, his understanding and ours, his forgiveness and our failures, bridged by
the cross of Jesus.
Benediction
“I rise today with the power of God to pilot me. God's
strength to sustain me God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look ahead for
me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to protect me,
God's way before me, God's shield to defend me, God's host to deliver me, from
snares of devils, from evil temptations, from nature's failings, from all who
wish to harm me, far or near, alone and in a crowd.” -- Patrick of Ireland
