The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – John 19:31-37 (day two) 

Then 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. vs. 31

This verse reminds me of of Matthew 7:3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or James 3:10  from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Those who were in leadership, who were responsible for Jesus’, death were fastidious about keeping Sabbath rules, but had little regard for the atrocity they had just committed. We all have our areas that we keep neat and orderly. Oftentimes it is to have a good outward appearance, and yet there are other areas where we may have no regard for propriety, right, or truth. The Jewish officials reconciled in their own minds how what they were doing was ‘good’ for the people. We, similarly, justify our actions in an attempt to turn our faces from our own sinful nature. Where are those places in your heart that need a radical reshaping?

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day seven) 

... knowing that all things had already been accomplished. vs 28

Jesus was born to die. This was the reason for the incarnation. God offered His Only Begotten Son to earth so that His people could become His children. As fully God, Christ could not accomplish what needed to be done. He could not die for sinners. He had to be born a man. Fully God, fully man. This was the only way it could be accomplished. Jesus was born to die.

Jesus was born to die so that we could live. The cloud of sin that prohibited us from having communion with God was lifted as the veil was torn. As the prophecy goes, His name will be called Immanuel. He became God with us so that He could always be God with us. Jesus was born to die so we could live with Him. Mission Accomplished.

Hebrews 2:14-15

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day six)

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. John 13:1

This is the preface to Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, but it also captures, at least in part, Jesus’ sentiment when he declared “It is finished.” He had been faithful to the very end to care for the men the Father had entrusted into his care. In fact he says as much in his high priestly prayer in John 17.

Why does it matter? Have you faithfully loved all the people entrusted into your care? I, for one, am thankful Jesus’ righteousness becomes my own (2 Corinthians 5:21). He loved his neighbor as himself to the last breath of his life.

 

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day five) “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.”

The days right before and after the new year are often filled with introspect and evaluation. As a result, many will make resolutions for the next year- to get back on track or stay on track. One of the remarkable things about Jesus’ earthly life was His ability to keep focused on the mission and purpose for His coming to live on earth. I believe that for Him (and for us) a life centered on and constantly engaged in the Scriptures provided His clarity and courage. (Notice the reference to the scriptures in verse 28) When He says, “It is finished”, He is making a statement regarding His mission and purpose.

May we be resolved to have that same kind of awareness and commitment to God’s mission and purpose for our lives! May we be resolved to be deeply engaged in and dependent on the scriptures to find God’s mission and purpose for our lives!

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day four)

“It is finished.” These three words changed everything. The soldiers who crucified Jesus probably heard them as an admission of defeat, as if Jesus was saying, “Alright, the jig is up. You got me, I’m finished.” But we know that this isn’t the end of the story. We know that it wasn’t an admission of defeat, but a statement of victory. At these words, the whole world became a different place. In a single moment, the veil was torn, the earth shook, rocks split, tombs were opened, the bodies of saints were raised. Heaven broke into earth with a cosmic victory too great for our understanding.

What’s interesting is that even though Jesus said, “It is finished,” the story isn’t actually finished yet. There’s still more coming – Sunday is still coming! The resurrection is still coming! And we still wait on Jesus coming again. But these three small words ushered in a reality that stands outside of time. Jesus won the victory, even though it still looked like defeat to everyone else. The Kingdom of God is here now, yet we still yearn for it to come.  Jesus won a victory so great that it stands outside of time, and we get to share in that victory with him. We know that it is finished.

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day three)

“I am thirsty.”

Jesus Christ came in the flesh. That means God the Son was now human for all eternity. He didn’t temporarily cloak himself in a body and then escape it after the cross and resurrection were done. The scriptures make clear that the “man Jesus Christ” is the mediator between God and humans as the writer of Hebrews states. A “temporary human” would be a joke or a ruse or a cringe-inducing attempt at being “one of the gang.” If Jesus were slumming for a little while, you would perhaps perceive him as special – lovely even – but you would know he’s not really part of your experience. On the cross, the simple words Jesus speaks about the state of his bodily dehydration are dear. They show a Lord who doesn’t rage against bodily frailty, but rather embraces his body – and yours.

Re:Verse passage – John 19:28-30 (day two) 

He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. vs. 30b

“Don’t cry for me, for I go where music is born…” These were  Johann Sebastian Bach’s last words. I, along with many musicians, believe Bach was the greatest composer to ever live. What a poetic ending to his devout life. Have you given thought to what your last words might be? Imagined the scene, surrounded by family, trying to encourage and comfort them as you transition to eternity?

None of these thoughts, or Bach’s poetry are possible with out Jesus first finishing what he came to do. Without Jesus ultimate, once for all, sacrifice all ‘last words’ are empty and hollow. Take a moment to thank Jesus for giving us an opportunity for hope, and even a little poetry.

Re:Verse passage – John 19:17-27 (day seven)

They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. vs 17

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 

This was probably the moment it all began to sink in for the disciples. Here is Jesus, taking up a heavy cross and dragging it to the top of the mountain. Those who were watching were probably reliving these words in their mind saying, “Is this really what He meant? Is this what He was calling us to do?” It was, and they did. Extrabiblical sources would tell us that many of them did take up a cross or something similar as all of them but John (exiled) were martyred for their belief in the Risen King.

How will you take up your cross? This burden is not light. That daily act of self denial is difficult and goes against the sinful nature that is pushing back inside of us. As we enter into this new year, how will you follow Jesus more closely? Will you take up your cross daily? Will you deny yourself and submit to Him every day? Let us all instill habits now that will lead us closer to Jesus in 2023! Happy New Year!