Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 19: 16-22, 28-30

Erin Pacheco, Director of Worship

Transcript

Erin Pacheco 0:08  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God. Today is April 18. It’s Good Friday – the solemn day when we remember Jesus’ death and crucifixion – but, Easter Sunday is coming!  I’m Erin Pacheco. Our scripture today is from John 19. I’ll be reading verses 16-22 and 28-30.

Erin Pacheco  0:36  

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Erin Pacheco  2:04  

This is our king. Our leader. Our Lord.  Pilate panders to the crowds, protecting his position.  The disciples flee, abandoning their friend in his darkest hour.  The soldiers mock Jesus.  The priests protest the claim that he’s their king.  But Jesus? Jesus takes it all. Humbles himself to death, even the horrifying death of hanging on a cross. He who made the sun and stars is now enveloped in darkness. He who said, I am the living water, is begging for a drink. He who said, I am the resurrection and the life, bows his head and gives up his spirit. He who knew no sin becomes sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. He died, so that we could live.  Man of Sorrows, what a name, for the Son of God who came ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah, what a Savior. 

Erin Pacheco  3:51  

Today, the church is open for prayer. Tonight, I hope you’ll come (or tune in) to worship as we focus on Jesus and the cross. Tomorrow evening, on Silent Saturday, we’ll have a time of quiet and reflection – like the silence of the tomb. And Easter Sunday, we will celebrate the resurrection. The first sign of a world turned upside down, when all the sad things start coming untrue.  In all of it, may you see Jesus. Amen.