Saturday – At the Cross
Scripture: John 19:23-30
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and his sandals, and divided them into four shares, one for each soldier. His shirt was seamless, woven as one piece from the top to the bottom. They said to each other, “Let’s not tear it. Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the scripture, They divided my clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing. That’s what the soldiers did. Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home. After this, knowing that everything was already completed, in order to fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was nearby, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, placed it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed.” Bowing his head, he gave up his life.
Thought for the Day: As we have learned in our study of John’s Gospel (Wednesday Study during Lent), the order and chronology of John is quite often different from that of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke). The crucifixion occurred on the Day of Preparation (John 19:42), though that is the day in which the Last’s Supper occurred in the other three Gospels. John is making a point, as the Day of Preparation was the day when the Passover lamb was sacrificed. Unlike the other three Gospels, John is making a strong push to connect the crucifixion of Jesus and the slaughtering of the lamb. With that, John references “a hyssop branch” that was used to raise a sponge to Jesus’ mouth. Why the reference to a hyssop branch? Well in the story of the Exodus (the story retold in the Passover experience), the people used the branches of the hyssop to mark their doorposts with the blood of the slain lamb. John wants his readers to get it, and he places all these important hints to make sure a connection is made between the execution of Jesus and the slaughter of the Passover lamb. For John’s community, this would make the Crucifixion a story of liberation from enslavement. It is a story of God finding a way. It is God’s announcement that love will have the final word, and all the Pharaohs of this world (physical, emotional, spiritual) shall not have authority.
Prayer: In a death, I find liberation. In your gift, Merciful God, I am free. Allow me to live and to serve others with the same love you displayed on the cross. Amen.
TOMORROW MORNING
FOUR EASTER SERVICES
7:15 — Sunrise (outside weather permitting)
8:15 — Traditional with Brass Ensemble
9:30 — Contemporary
11:00 — Traditional with Brass Ensemble
