Quest for Hope
It is Finished 3-25-16
John 19:17-30
In Jesus’ example of serving and washing the disciples’ feet, we find God reaching out to serve us in a way we cannot serve ourselves; we need a relationship with Christ. So, please connect to Christ. Jesus loves and forgives us, humbly takes our place, makes us clean, and then fills our hearts with His perfect love so we can serve others. The depth of God’s love and commitment to have a relationship with us is revealed as we read our passage for today.
John 19:17-30 (NLT)
17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth,[a] the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”
23 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. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice[b] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”[c] So that is what they did.
25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”[d] 29 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. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
How does this Word, today, change our perspective of the character of God? Do you see unending Love? How might a deep revelation of this Word change how we live our lives? Jesus bore the wrath of God’s judgment for our sin, so we can live free from the penalty of death. His work to bring about humanity’s salvation is finished; but, our response to His magnificent gesture of love and gift of eternal life is just beginning…
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending Jesus to sacrifice his life for me. Your love is amazing and I worship you! Please don’t let me forget the lesson of your love form your Word today; let me hold it deep within my heart. Use your Word to change me and how I perceive your mission in the world. Make me passionate for the things of your heart in the ongoing work of redemption through your sons and daughters. In Jesus’ name. Amen.