Sharing Bread John 20:15-16

SHARING BREAD

15 "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"






Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."




16 Jesus said to her, "Mary."



She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).


John 20:15-16 (NIV)

While Jesus’ identity may have at first been veiled from Mary’s desperate eyes, there was certainly no missing the sound of her name coming from His voice and ringing pristinely clear in her ears. One single Word – one very tenderly personal Word - from His mouth was enough to deliver her from her present blindness - removing the scales from her eyes. This so reminds me of our Lord’s comforting Words to all of His sheep:

2 “The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.” John 10:2-5 (NIV)



Shepherds knew their sheep well, giving them names and calling them each by their name. Likewise, in security, safety and trust, the sheep would follow their shepherd’s familiar voice – running away from the stranger’s unrecognizable sounds. In like manner, we come to God because He first calls us and in proper response to His call – in faith and trust - we follow. Just as He called His very first disciples, He does so to each subsequent one. Scripture states He would extend a “Follow me” and often immediately they would choose to go.



18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matt 4:18-22 (NIV)



I am also reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words declaring the believer’s confidence in their ability to discern the Master’s voice:



21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)



Further, Jesus goes on to state the glorious Truth that as the perfect Shepherd He loses none of His flock - though surely believers will sin and stumble. The security rests not in the frail and failing sheep rather in the ability of the great Shepherd. We can rest in His all-powerful hand:

27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”  John 10:27-30 (NIV)



Certainly the boundless love and compassion of the Lord Jesus towards His believing people sweetly shows forth in our verses for today. The Master was readily touched by the feelings of Mary’s infirmities and sorrows. He was ever aware of how weak bodily frames are and how excessive sorrow can stupefy minds. In overwhelming sadness Mary had one thought and one thought only – she wanted to recover the corpse of her Lord’s body and do it honor. Any idea in regards to His resurrection appears not to have entered her bereaved thoughts. Never mind Jesus’ teachings and warnings beforehand of what would surely come to pass – all this seemed to be thrown away and forgotten. She was so consumed with thoughts of Christ that she was not even frightened by the sight and sound of the angels, she addresses Christ as a gardener and she even believes she can carry the dead corpse back to the sepulcher - alone!



“Nothing can satisfy the entire man but the Lord’s love and the Lord’s own self…..To embrace our Lord Jesus, to dwell in His love, and be fully assured of union with Him – this is all in all.” C. H. Spurgeon



Christ passes over Mary’s dullness when He saw the real, genuine, persevering love to His person. He was the solitary aim of her soul. He graciously forgave her forgetfulness of His often repeated statements and pities her deep anguishing sorrow. He abundantly rewards her consuming love – He always does.



8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust…….. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalms 103:8-14; 17-18 (NIV)

What I glean from this:



• As a believer I have been given the promise that I will recognize Jesus’ voice – His leading.


• He calls, I am to follow.


• Nothing can satisfy the entire man but the Lord’s love and the Lord’s own self.

Sharing Bread John 20:10-14

SHARING BREAD

10 Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.



13 They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"



"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.


John 20:10-14 (NIV)

Humor me for a minute if you will. I received the following quote yesterday and I cannot seem to shake it from my thoughts (or the convictions of it from my heart) in light of our verses for today. Hopefully, this will not prove to be a rabbit trail of no avail:

“Since we are made to worship, we are always centering our lives on something whether we realize it or not. It is like a fire hose that is stuck in the ‘on’ position and shooting water out endlessly with great force. We must decide where we aim the hose as the focus of our worship. The idols of our modern world are not necessarily the hand-carved statues of the ancient world. In our autonomous self-seeking ways, people have instead come to serve or worship the self-erected idols of approval, comfort, and security. We must ruthlessly inspect the sin in our heart for these idols… so it is vital that [we] get to the heart. As Tim Keller puts it, ‘The solution to our sin problem is not simply to change our behavior, but to reorient and center our entire heart and life on God.’ Therefore, we must go after the nature of the sin by going after its root and not just the fruit of the sin. Oftentimes people repent of sin that is simply the fruit of the idols in their hearts. We must find out the why of the behavior and not just the what”. Tom Wood & Scott Thomas



“A man’s heart has only enough life in it to pursue one object fully.” Charles Spurgeon



Seriously, how are we able to read our verses for today regarding this Mary of Magdalene without clearly seeing her Object of worship? The going away of Peter and John commends Mary’s staying – she was the first to the grave, then she retreats to tell them, to the grave she then returns with them, and at the grave she remains without them – a constant love which, as we will discover, was richly rewarded by the Lord. Those who honor Christ will be honored by Christ. As we in faith draw closer to Jesus, He will draw closer than anyone we have ever known. He will never leave us nor forsake us – His nearness far better than anything this earth provides (to say the least). Mary knew this at a gut level. Considering the Focus of Mary’s desire reminds me of the writer of Hebrews words:



1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Heb 12:1-2 (NIV)



“All believers have not the same degree of faith, or hope, or knowledge, or courage, or wisdom; and it is vain to expect it. But it is a certain fact that those who love Christ most fervently, and cleave to Him most closely, will always enjoy most communion with Him, and feel most of the witness of the Spirit in their hearts. It is precisely those who wait on the Lord, in the temper of Mary Magdalene, to whom the Lord will reveal Himself most fully, and make them know and feel more than others.” John Charles Ryle



8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:8-10 (NIV)



Christ is to be the object of our affections and indeed, Christ was Mary’s. Her strong love and gratitude toward our Lord caused her to linger at the tomb - while others left - with a small flicker of a faint hope that something might turn up to explain where her Master’s body had gone. She could not tear herself away from the last place His body had been seen. Even the angelic visitation did not seem to faze her – she speaks calmly to them and without hesitation – harping on the same string: "They have taken my Lord away." She had lingered in hope and hope in the Lord never disappoints. Paul tells us in Romans:



And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)

“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” C. H. Spurgeon




What I glean from this:



• Ardent love for the Lord Jesus will be rewarded by Him.


• A person’s heart has only room enough to pursue one object fully. 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matt 6:24 (NIV)


• Christ is to be the Object of my affections.

Sharing Bread John 20:3-9

SHARING BREAD

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)


John 20:3-9 (NIV)

A footrace ensued between two very anxious and excited loving Apostles. Mary’s prior announcement to them that their Lord body had been taken from the tomb rang in their ears and propelled their steps. We can only imagine that her words overwhelmed them - taking them both by surprise and wonder – not knowing exactly what to think. Surely their thoughts must have run as fast their feet – had someone taken His body? Were Jesus’ often repeated predictions of His resurrection True? Could it possibly be that their deep sorrow would somehow turn to abundant joy? Perhaps King David’s words in Psalm 30 now rushed through their thoughts even though surely beforehand in their sadness they had missed meditating upon its promise:

5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5 (NIV)

Paul had not yet written for them to ponder - as we on this side of the cross get to - that every promise of God was made a “Yes” in Christ:

20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Cor 1:20 (NIV)



The disciples had often been dull and slow in their understanding of Jesus’ Words. What their heart’s desired superseded what their ears had heard – they wanted the glory without the cross – the heavenly kingdom without the cost. Don’t we as modern day followers of our Lord fall into that same pattern as well? We decide what would be best for us and we pray to that end. We even become upset when God doesn’t fulfill our “perfectly ordered plans” exactly as we see fit. We embrace the instantaneous and kick against the pain of true growth which will make us more like Christ. The pain and suffering of the Lord Jesus was a necessity for our freedom – for all the promises to be a “Yes”. And so it is with us who believe in Christ – there is the cost of the cross:



23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:23-26 (NIV)





Often distinguished by Jesus from the rest by special favors – being part of His inner sanctum - it is befitting that Peter and John would be the only ones of our Lord’s disciples to actually enter His empty tomb. They would have been the closest to the Lord and more willing to take the lead – they certainly wanted to check out with their own eyes what had been reported to them – no hearsay would suffice. A great sense of Christ’s love for us will kindle our love for Him and we discover this in both Peter and John.



John gets to the tomb first and gazes rather than goes in – Peter goes further still making more of an exact discovery of their findings – one outrunning the other, one out-daring the other. What they saw was more than worth their efforts – no enemy or thief in removing the Lord’s body would have taken such great pains in removing the linen clothes in which our Lord was wrapped. Interestingly as well, the linen cloths wrapped around the body with myrrh would have stuck to it like pitch. Considering the spices used in wrapping His body, the amount of linen would have been more than likely no small heap. The clearest evidence of an orderly and deliberate transaction, however, was discovered in the napkin which had been tied around Jesus’ head, and was folded neatly in another place. Certainly this was an indication of order without hurry and haste which would have accompanied a robbery.



Flashes of Truth must have come across John’s mind as we are told that he “believed”- being the first of our Lord’s followers to believe in His resurrection. It is a curious fact that we are told both Peter and John forgot their Lord’s predictions while His enemies - Caiaphas and his wicked companions remembered them:



62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." Matt 27:62-64 (NIV)



Christ had left His grave clothes behind – rising never to die again unlike Lazarus who had come forth out of his tomb bound up in them because he would die again.



“The second Adam must die and rise again, in order to win back what the first Adam lost.”  John Charles Ryle



20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Cor 15:20-22 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Weeping may remain for the night but joy comes in the morning.


• All the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ.


• I can be dull in my understanding of Jesus’ Words particularly if I they are contrary to my bias.

Sharing Bread John 20:1-2

SHARING BREAD

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"


John 20:1-2 (NIV)


Ardent love is depicted here as Mary of Magdala seeks to remain close to the Lord Jesus even in His death. She came seeking Christ early - while yet dark – solicitously and industriously – setting forth a wonderful example for all who believe in and love the Lord Jesus. We as His followers are to seek Him early in our day – solicitously and industriously - both for our souls filling and for His loving leading and direction. The day that is well begun is likely to well end. None of our Lord’s followers in Scripture seemed to have loved Him as much as Mary. The continued instances of her respect for Him even after His death are proof of her sincerity and love. It was indeed an extraordinary affection. I am reminded of King Solomon’s words in Song of Songs:

“For love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” Song of Songs 8:6 (NIV)



Love is portrayed as a mighty and vigorous passion – as strong as death. Christ’s love for us broke through death causing it to lose its sting. The love for Christ of believers who trust in Him is as strong as death. Mary demonstrates this Truth. Mary, from whom seven demons had been cast out by the Lord Jesus, was desperate for His presence. She stood as a monument to Christ’s power and mercy. Seven, the number of completion in Scripture, more than likely equates to her being totally demonically possessed - a harrowing condition indeed. She found mercy at the feet of the Master and freedom from the intense pain and misery of her bondage. Her gratitude knew no bounds – none felt they owed so much to the Master. She had no intentions of returning to her prior life of wallowing in that lifeless mud – to say the least. The more mercy one has received, the more love one has – those who love Christ most are those who have received the most benefit from Him. Again, having loved much, Mary did much in order to prove the reality of her love. Is love without actions love at all? Love always acts. I am reminded of the woman who had lived a sinful life and the gratitude she exhibited to Jesus for her forgiveness:



36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them………. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) Luke 7:44-47 (NIV)

“The man who is deeply conscious of his own guilt and corruption, and deeply convinced that without the blood and intercession of Christ he would sink deservedly into the lowest hell, this is the man who will spend and be spent for Jesus, and think that he can never do enough to show forth His praise. Let us daily pray that we may see the sinfulness of sin, and the amazing grace of Christ, more clearly and distinctly. Then, and then only, shall we cease to be cool, and lukewarm, and slovenly in our work for Jesus.” John Charles Ryle

Mary was full of firsts: she was first to arrive at our Lord’s tomb, she was first to discover in dim twilight the stone rolled away, she was first to discern something remarkable had occurred and she was first to act on what she saw. Many of the Galilean women showed faith and love and zeal that morning but none more than Mary. Yet in their zeal they neglect to recall Jesus’ Word to them before His crucifixion that He would indeed rise again on the third day. Mary immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion that His body had been taken away – her reason prompted this thought. Interestingly, when we reflect back on our own conduct in our darkest days – relying on our reason only - we can also stand amazed at our own dullness over the obvious. Her actions were now focused on finding the Lord’s body rather than in remembering His last words. We must also place our circumstances through the sieve of the Truth of God’s Word if we desire to rid ourselves of our own ignorance.

Lastly, we discover Mary fleeing to find our Lord’s closest earthly companions to fill them in on her discovery. She did not stand pouring over her grief alone but acquaints her friends as well. Sorrow shared among the saints divides grief.

“If I were a pastor, I would want to preach in the spirit of the New Covenant, inviting everyone in the congregation to see the heart of God revealed in the cross of Christ. I would encourage them to interpret all of life’s hardships not as problems to fix or struggles to relieve or pain to deaden, but as important elements in a larger story that all God’s children long to tell. I would urge them to accept wherever they are on the journey, whether happy or miserable, as the place where God will meet them, where He loves them, where He will continue to work in them. And I would offer my own life as a growing, struggling, sometimes painfully unattractive example of what doing that might mean. I would beg God to deliver me from Calvary-denying sermons, which leave people feeling scolded and pressured….I would ask God to never let me again preach an Eden-denying message where psychological insights replace biblical wisdom in a misguided effort to repair emotional damage when the real problem is a serpent-inspired determination to experience life without God.” Larry Crabb

What I glean from this:

• Love is as strong as death.


• Love always acts.


• I am to place my circumstances through the sieve of the Truth of God’s Word.

Sharing Bread John 19:40-42

SHARING BREAD

40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.


John 19:40-42 (NIV)

Out of a gratuitous love, we see in our verses for today, Joseph and Nicodemus together tenderly taking our Lord’s body and carefully wrapping it in strips of clean linen on which the profuse preparation of myrrh and aloes had been laid. Service will always be the freely flowing spring pouring forth from a life that is filled with love and devotion.

19 We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

John is the only one of the gospel writers to include Nicodemus’ sizeable offering of spices for the holy work of burying Jesus. His actions are quite the contrast compared to his first timid visit with our Lord in His lodging – coming to question Him under the cloak of darkness – fearful of his comrades. Nicodemus’ actions show his rapid growth in grace, faith, knowledge and courage in a mere three year span. Love surely makes all labors light. This is not to say we will not get tired – remember we are told “the sleep of the laborer is sweet” - yet the action of serving seems light because it is rightly motivated by passion, loving commitment and pleasing the One who freely gave His all for us. We demonstrate our love for Him by loving others.

“If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even their little weaknesses, if I am careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities to smooth their way; if I have not compassion on my fellow servant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” Amy Carmichael

Compassionate – tender sympathy, merciful, empathetic, considerate, and kind – believers in Christ are called to constantly clothe themselves in such as these. We are to offer the healing value of a soothing hand, a mutual tear, a sympathizing heart an understanding word. This is what we see here fleshed out in the lives of Joseph and Nicodemus. Selflessly loving with seemingly no apparent gain for themselves and certainly some loss in reputation and standing among their peers for their actions. Paul tells us in Colossians:

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)

We need to remember this is not to be done in our own strength or we will quickly peter out – flawed flesh will eventually fail us. We will weary from the task; we will become bored or burdened or disgruntled and flee. Agape love is a love born of God not of man; it is God’s love revealed in Christ. It is a love which esteems, cherishes, favors, honors, respects, accepts, prizes and relishes. It comes from above through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the believer. This love enables us to love the unlovely, forgive the transgressor, “pour out our lives as a drink offering”, serve in danger, live selflessly – without grumbling and complaining – indeed, with much joy (ouch). Flesh simply cannot muster this up and yet we are called to this high calling. If our actions are not motivated with this love they will be found wanting in God’s sight. If we discover ourselves grumbling and complaining over compassionate service to others perhaps we should check our motives. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV)



“We need not doubt the love of Christ, when we consider the deep humiliation that Christ went through for our sakes. To tabernacle in our flesh at all, to die after the manner of a man, to allow his holy body to hang naked on a cross, to suffer it to be lifted, handled, carried like a lump of cold clay, and shut up in a dark, silent, solitary tomb – this was indeed love that passeth knowledge.” John Charles Ryle




Lastly we see our protagonists laying our Lord in a new tomb in a garden. The first Adam was expelled from a garden the last Adam brought back. Jesus makes all things new.



“Here lies death itself slain, and the grave conquered. ‘Thanks be to God who gives us the victory.’” Matthew Henry



56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:56-58 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• I am called to love as Christ loved me.


• I am to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling within me – not in my own strength. Apart from Christ I can do nothing of eternal value. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)


• Jesus makes all things new.

Sharing Bread John 19:38-39

SHARING BREAD

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.


John 19:38-39 (NIV)

Once a secret disciple for fear of the Jews, Joseph now boldly petitions Pilate for our Lord’s body. Some followers of Christ may in lesser trials be quite fearful yet in greater display much courage. This we find in Joseph who honored Christ’s corpse when Christ could seemingly do nothing for him. Circumstances oftentimes bring out character in unexpected ways. The other gospel writers tell us that Joseph was a wealthy, good and upright man who was waiting for the Kingdom of God. He was a prominent member of the Council but had not consented to their decision and actions regarding Jesus. Interestingly, Joseph of Arimathea is not mentioned in other places in the New Testament - only in the burial of our Lord is he made manifest – certainly there are some true Christians in this world that very little is known. He is named among the friends of Christ as he willingly and voluntarily did honor to our Lord Jesus in His death when all the Apostles had fled.

Out of love, Joseph took off his cloak of secrecy and came forth publically in humble service for our Lord - though dead. He did not hesitate to confess Christ as Friend even though at the time Romans and Jews alike had condemned Jesus as a malefactor and had put Him to death on the cross. His actions surely rendered him a marked man among the Jews – certainly ruining his character with the high priests and ruling council. Joseph’s pious actions stand in Scripture as a memorial to him. Surely it is the hope of the church that in every age there are hidden servants unknown to the world yet all the while known well unto God. Even in the Prophet Elijah’s time God had a reserved remnant of seven thousand who had not bowed their knee to Baal – seemingly unbeknownst to Elijah. We find in 1 Kings God telling Elijah:

18 “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 (NIV)



In our day of mega churches and audiences, it is simplistically refreshing to note that God isn’t as into the crowds that follow us as He is into our faithfulness to do His bidding - through His power - as crippled and cracked as we are. Joseph is memorialized in all four gospels as showing kindness to the Lord Jesus for no other reason than love. Isn’t it interesting that it was a “Joseph” who first touched Jesus in Bethlehem on His entry into this world and it was a “Joseph” who last touched our Lord on His exit from this dusty earth – how like God.

“Christianity is not a religion but a relationship of love expressed toward God and men.” Sherwood Eliot Wirt

Not too dissimilar to Joseph in his secrecy, we also see Nicodemus coming forth as a volunteer to aid in the burial of Jesus. They both demonstrated more reverence and love towards our Lord when dead than they had when He was alive. Nicodemus did not shrink to take part alongside Joseph in this good work. Had these men not come forth, our Lord’s body would have more than likely been buried in a common grave for criminals. That was not God’s intent. These unbelievers had done as much to His Son’s precious body as they were going to do. He therefore empowered and emboldened the once timid followers - at this perfect time – to demonstrate their compassion and mercy for the Lord. God always supplies the grace for us sufficient to meet the need He places in our paths – we can count on it. It is plain to see the strength and sacrifice of their love in their actions. Fruit demonstrated on a good tree. Christ’s mercy leads His followers to be like Him.

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:4-6 (NIV)

“By this they showed the value they had for his person and doctrine, and that it was not lessened by the reproach of the cross. They showed not only the charitable respect of committing his body to the earth, but the honorable respect shown to great men. This they might do, and yet believe and look for his resurrection. Since God intended honor for this body, they would honor it.” Matthew Henry

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• Circumstances oftentimes will bring out character in unexpected ways. When I am squeezed with trials what comes out of my heart?


• God will always have a remnant of those who love Him.


• I demonstrate my love for Christ by what I do. My faith will always produce good works. 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 19:36-37

SHARING BREAD

36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."


John 19:36-37 (NIV)

God’s perfect foreknowledge regarding the very minutest detail of Christ’s death is here soundly proven. Nothing in the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus happened by mere luck or chance or happenstance – all had been arranged long beforehand in the counsel of God. We must not forget that prophecy never had its origin in the will man or it would surely be flawed. I am reminded of Peter’s words to us in 2 Peter indicating to us God’s divine plan revealed through prophecy of which we as believers are to pay close attention:

19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.   2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV)

Prophecies are born of God not originating from the prophets themselves – their writings being inspired by God. These human authors were controlled by the divine Author – the Holy Spirit - as a sailing vessel is carried along by the wind yet all the while they were consciously involved in the process. God’s Words were given through men - superintended by the Holy Spirit - so that they are without flaw or error. Paul tells us:

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)



King David also verifies the Truth of God’s Word which is not tainted by deceit or error yet instead is totally dependable and trustworthy:



6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.  Psalms 12:6 (NIV)



The untarnished nature of Scripture is as if it had been refined seven times – the number of completion and perfection. Therefore we as believers can take unfulfilled prophecies to the bank so to speak – they will come about. I am reminded of the words John penned in Revelation:



To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.  Rev 1:5-7 (NIV)


Christ’s second coming will be visible to the entire world including unbelievers. He will come as the conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords - in contrast to His first Advent as a lowly babe in the Bethlehem manager. Jesus is the One who is and who was and who is to come – the all powerful One.



“We must hunger after Christ until the dawning of that great day when our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom.” John Calvin



“At His call the dead awaken, rise to life from earth and sea; all the powers of nature shaken by His look prepares to flee. Careless sinner, what will then become of thee?” John Newton



27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.   Heb 9:27-28 (NIV)



1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.   2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)




22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.  Jude 1:22-23 (NIV)




What I glean from this:

• The minutest details of Christ’s death were arranged beforehand in the counsel of God.


• All Scripture is flawless and profitable for me.


• All unfulfilled prophecy in Scripture will one day come to pass – I can take that to the bank.

Sharing Bread John 19:35

SHARING BREAD

35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.


John 19:35 (NIV)

What John saw, he faithfully attested to - fulfilling the command Jesus gives to all of His disciples. It is His will for every believer to bear witness of what they know to be Truth so that others may know and believe:

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:45-48 (NIV)



27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:27 (NIV)




18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)



John had been an eyewitness to the happenings of the Lord Jesus making him competent to testify to the Truth – his testimony being undoubtedly factual. He not only told the Truth but he told the whole Truth - writing as he did under the inspiration of the Spirit of Truth. His assurance of veracity was from the Holy Spirit. Ever been an eyewitness to something remarkably amazing and exciting? The first thing we want to do is share with everyone what happened – something so amazing is difficult to keep quiet – good news was made to share. The original disciples really grasped and understood this at a core level. Jesus had opened the Way to God, freeing the captive and providing the all-achieving power of the Holy Spirit to dwell in the heart of every child that called on His mighty Name for salvation. This was amazingly Good News. No longer would a follower of Christ have to live a life of slavery to themselves but in yielding to Jesus, every fetter would be broken – the yielding must be stressed for it is in the yielding that we are truly freed. Peter, the prior chicken, spoke boldly after Christ’s resurrection and the filling of the Holy Spirit regarding what he knew to be true - even in the face of adversity – he could not help but do so:



18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 (NIV)




John also was eager to draw men to believe in order to bring about their eternal welfare and earthly good. He wanted us to know that this was no fabrication – no delusional thinking – this was fact not fiction and it was fact that would forever free if found and embraced. He wanted to assure people that they need not hesitate to believe what he had seen – he stood there, he saw it, he was an eyewitness to the account and he faithfully proclaimed it. Passion and Truth burned in his soul until he spoke. Not too dissimilar to the prophet Jeremiah - though extremely ridiculed and discouraged still continued to state:



9 But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jer 20:9 (NIV)

Interestingly, God is still in the business of strategically placing His people all over the world to be salt and light for Him in this dark place. He teaches and equips His followers to do His bidding in their spheres of influence for His glory and their good. We are not all exactly alike. We are all uniquely and wonderfully made – each gifted in our own ways to build and equip His Body, the Church. Do not strive to mimic others; strive only to be like Jesus. He gives to us in order to give – there is to be no hoarding of the gift “manna”. God desires salt and light fleshed out in His vessels in our everyday routine lives. It is grace in its various forms fleshing out as teachers, doctors, friends, lawyers, waitresses, mommies and daddies, business professionals, police and the like - each one letting God’s light within them shine before men so that their good deeds may bring praise and glory to God, the Giver of all. We have this false notion that it is only those termed “missionary” that are to be about the Lord’s business which is so far from the Truth and so foreign from the Way our Lord works. Scripture tells us every believer is called to the battlefield – everyone in some way.

“Being a ‘missionary’ (one who is sent) is not a matter of crossing the sea, but of seeing the cross.” Hudson Taylor



My sweet friend Paula Kirby - who does hail under the banner of missionary in Washington D.C. – enlightens us so superbly as she dances with her words regarding the believer’s calling as salt and light:



“It’s an ethos and conviction underscored by so many I’ve met since being here -- men and women placed by God in the portals of power. In education, government, the military or entertainment, they’re there, holding sway and affecting for good. I keep meeting them -- nuclear physicists, university presidents, business moguls; social entrepreneurs. Others are advisors, entertainers, journalists, and yes, even politicians. From across the globe, they are power-holders and influencers; living for God, risking all, spicing our world with His precepts, His standards, and with His grace, Amazing Grace. These invigorating experiences have so broadened my perspective of God and the canny, brilliant ways He works. His people are everywhere -- His “sent ones” who wear not the vestments of religion nor hoist the banner of traditional “missionary”. Yet they are equally dedicated to the purposes of Jesus -- to the death if need be.” Paula Kirby



What I glean from this:



• John was a faithful testimony to what he knew to be True – I am to be as well.


• The Good News was meant to share.


• I am to be dedicated to the purposes of Jesus, my King.

Sharing Bread John 19:31-34

SHARING BREAD

31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.


John 19:31-34 (NIV)

It was the day preceding the Passover Sabbath, a day which was devoted to special preparations – it was on this day that our Lord died. This confirms the fact that Jesus was indeed crucified on a Friday. The “rule following” chief priests and leaders of the nation at Jerusalem – the same ones who had cunningly convinced Pilate to crucify Christ – were now adamant to get Him off the cross in order not to break the Law. This would have been especially important to them since the Sabbath was fast approaching. The pretended sanctity of hypocrites is abominable is it not? Oh they were such pious people – so eager to do the right thing! Isn’t it funny how we can convince ourselves of the rightness of whatever we want to do? Indeed, the heart is deceitful beyond all cure. Deuteronomy gives us the Law these leaders were seeking to keep – this time rightfully so:

22 If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. Deut 21:22-23 (NIV)





Paul uses this text to support the doctrine of Christ’s substitutionary death for sinners in Galatians – our Lord becoming a curse for us on the cross redeeming us from the curse of the Law:



13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Gal 3:13 (NIV)


The breaking of the legs of the one being crucified was a common action in this barbarous mode of execution. With broken legs, the criminals would not have had the ability to lift themselves up to breathe. Discovering Jesus was already dead, the soldiers did not cruelly shatter His bones fulfilling prophecy once again. King David prophecies in Psalm 34:

20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalms 34:20 (NIV)




This gives yet another proof that Jesus did indeed die – squelching any ridiculous rumor that He was taken off the cross alive. The Roman soldiers bear witness to this fact. Dying quicker than most ordinarily died on the cross, Jesus demonstrated He willingly laid down His life, yielding to death - yet He was not conquered.

Determined to make his work complete and certain, one of the Roman soldiers thrust his spear into our Lord’s side – rending the Holy Tent – breaking through to the very fountains of life. The soldier performed his duty in a rough, hasty and careless way simply to prove the body dead yet God methodically, miraculously and mysteriously had planned to demonstrate the purpose of Christ’s death - the two great benefits for which all believers could now freely partake – the water and the blood. This sudden flow of both blood and water coming from our Lord’s pierced side were metaphorical – the blood for our atonement, the water for our purification. They must always go together – Christ has joined them even in His death. Sin and guilt can only be cleansed and compensated before a Holy God by the perfect blood of Christ; the stains of our sins are washed away by the fountain of the water of purification – both flowing from the side of the Suffering Servant. Our Lord lovingly and lavishly provided for those who would believe in Him atonement, redemption, justification, forgiveness, reconciliation, cleansing and sanctification – praise Him!



“This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: ‘I will help thee’. ‘It is but a small thing for Me, thy God, to help thee. Consider what I have done already. What! Not help thee? Why, I bought thee with My blood. What! Not help thee? I have died for thee; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help thee! It is the least thing I will ever do for thee; I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose thee. I made the covenant for thee. I laid aside My glory and became a man for thee; I gave My life for thee; and if I did all this, I will surely help thee now. In helping thee, I am giving thee what I have bought for thee already. If thou hadst need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it thee; thou requirest little compared with what I am ready to give. ‘Tis much for thee to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. “Help thee?” Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of thy granary asking for help, it would not ruin thee to give him a handful of thy wheat; and thou art nothing but a tiny insect at the door of my all sufficiency. “I will help thee”.’ O my soul, is not this enough? Dost thou need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity? Dost thou want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring hither thine empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Haste, gather up thy wants, and bring them there – thine emptiness, thy woes, thy needs. Behold, this river of God is full for thy supply; what canst thou desire beside? Go forth, my soul, in this thy might. The Eternal God is thine helper!” C. H. Spurgeon



What I glean from this:



• Pretended sanctity of the hypocritical is abominable in God’s sight.


• Christ became a curse for me.


• The Eternal God is my helper – I have no need to fear.

Sharing Bread John 19:28-30

SHARING BREAD

28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 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. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


John 19:28-30 (NIV)

Nearing the end of the greatest accomplishment ever to be done on behalf of mankind, our Lord proclaims, He thirsts. In his Messianic Psalm 22, King David prophecies what Jesus fleshed out in our verses for today - the use of many poetic expressions by David in portraying immense sufferings were quite literally fulfilled in the life of our suffering Savior:

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Psalms 22:14-16 (NIV)



1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Psalms 22:1 (NIV)



Having once refused the soldier’s medicinal offer of vinegar and gall to dull His pain, our Lord now readily accepts this mocking offering. The vinegar soaked sponge on a hyssop branch would be used to free His tongue. Jesus had Words yet left to say and He needed His holy mouth moistened to declare them. Matthew informs us of His first refusal of this medicinal spirit which would have made the crucifixion somewhat easier to bear. Jesus wanted to be in complete control while hanging on the cross:



34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. Matt 27:34 (NIV)

Tongue freed, our Lord now offers the three greatest Words of triumph ever uttered to a startled universe - expressed with majestic simplicity, the Savior states from the cross – “It is finished.” Inexhaustible in meaning, these three Words are rich and full and replete with deep truths. Jesus had accomplished what He had come to do – He had done all that was needful to save sinners – all that was needful to satisfy the justice of God.

“The death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment in history of the very mind and intent of God. There is no place for seeing Jesus Christ as a martyr. His death was not something that happened to Him – something that might have been prevented. His death was the very reason He came.” Oswald Chambers

Jesus had had come to endure as our Substitute; He had come to fulfill the ceremonial law; He had come as the true Sacrifice for our sin; He had come to fulfill many of the prophecies; He had come to accomplish the great work of man’s redemption – all prior arranged and foreordained in the eternal counsels of the Trinity – even down to the Words which He spoke from the cross. Nothing was whimsical or happenstance regarding Christ’s life or death – not one thing in the minutest details was by accident or by chance. The cup of suffering was at last now drained to the last dregs. He was rightfully preparing to enter back into glory – right back to His Daddy’s side. In His Great High Priestly Prayer Jesus prays:

4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:4-5 (NIV)

“The only ground on which God can forgive our sin and reinstate us to His favor is through the Cross of Christ. There is no other way! Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony at Calvary. We should never take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification in simple faith, and then forget the enormous cost to God that made all of this ours. Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blots out the atonement. The revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive – He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God through the atonement of the Cross. God’s forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm……Once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vise, constrained by the love of God.” Oswald Chambers

Believers can rest our souls on the finished work of Christ. We need not fear sin or Satan or the law to condemn us on the last day. Jesus has done all, paid all, accomplished all and performed all that was necessary for the salvation of our scrawny necks. When we look at our own works we may well be ashamed at the imperfections viewed but when we focus on the finished work of Christ we may have comfort and peace. If we are a believer, we are made complete in Him – not lacking anything:

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Col 2:9-10 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus accomplished the greatest work ever to be done on behalf of mankind on the cross.


• Jesus finished the work He came to do.


• I am complete in Christ – I am not found wanting.

Sharing Bread John 19:25-27

SHARING BREAD

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.


John 19:25-27 (NIV)

Our verses for today record a wonderfully striking incident compared to the clamor and hatred of the Jews and the mocking of the Roman soldiers. The tender affections of the pious women who attended our Lord’s needs – throughout His ministry to His crucifixion – are here displayed forever in Holy Writ. Even amidst the taunting crowds and rough soldiers these women were determined to stand by Jesus until the very end in a loving demonstration of their holy affection and gratitude towards Him. While His enemies eagerly and quite literally crowned Him with thorns, they lavishly crowned Him with their love and compassion washing Him with their tears and consoling Him by their faithfulness.

Remembering that our Lord was a condemned criminal - sorely hated by the chief priests and executed by the Romans - it was certainly courageous, admirable and selfless of these ladies to take their place by the Lord throughout His abhorrent ordeal. They were neither deterred by the fury of the enemy nor the horror of the sight. Their actions were glorious proof of their love for their Savior. Yet, all the while their hearts were breaking under the sight of the Suffering Servant - unable to rescue or relieve Him - their hearts bleeding along with His wounds. Certainly they were strengthened by divine grace and power throughout this ordeal as His grace is always sufficient to meet our needs. I am reminded of the words penned by Paul in 2 Corinthians:

9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9 (NIV)


They were a testimony to God’s love being made complete in them:

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV)

Surely the prophecy Simeon had proclaimed to the Lord’s mother Mary when Jesus was yet an infant reached its fulfillment at this time – a sword had to be piercing her soul at the sight of her suffering Son:

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:34-35 (NIV)

Interestingly, when all men - save one - forsook our Lord, more than one woman boldly confessed Him. Women were the last at the cross as well as the first at the tomb – always seeking to minister to His needs. Mark expands our knowledge of this in his gospel:

40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. Mark 15:40-41 (NIV)

“Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength To serve the King of kings. Lift high the cross of Christ, Tread where His feet have trod; As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God!” William P. Merrill

Surely Jesus’ Words from the cross served as yet another example of why these women loved Him so. Suffering and in great anguish, the width and depth of our Lord’s sympathies and affections still shone through His darkest hour. Even in this trying season of bodily and mental anguish, Jesus did not forget others. Every Word He uttered from the cross benefitted His hearers. He spoke of forgiveness of those who crucified Him – praying for His brutal murderers:



34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NIV)



He had not forgotten about the fellow sufferers by His side. When one of those being crucified with Him in faith and repentance asked to be remembered, He promised him a speedy entrance with Him into Paradise:



43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43 (NIV)



And in our verses for today, He did not forget His mother. He saw her deep distress and tenderly cared for her desolate condition – left alone in a wicked world. He therefore commended her to the care of John, the most loving and tender hearted of His disciples. Jesus’ love surpasses knowledge. The world is full of shallow, skin-deep feelings for others which continually disappoint and leave us cold. But the mighty love and affection of Jesus knows no limit. Regarding Christ’s love Paul states:



And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3:17-19 (NIV)




“His love is unfailing, His Word unchangeable, His power ever the same; therefore the heart that trusts Him is kept in ‘perfect peace’…I know He tries me only to increase my faith, and that it is all in love. Well, if He is glorified, I am content.” Hudson Taylor


What I glean from this:

• The women stood by Jesus throughout His entire ministry - to His crucifixion - caring for His needs.


• Even in His anguish on the cross Jesus showed His love and concern for others.


• Our Lord’s love surpasses knowledge.

Sharing Bread John 19:23-24

SHARING BREAD

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.




24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."



This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,

"They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."



So this is what the soldiers did.


John 19:23-24 (NIV)

In most countries, at that time, the clothes of a person being put to death were the special privilege of the executioners. Clothes were handmade and comparatively more expensive than those of today. And so it was in the case of our Lord’s belongings. More than likely, Jesus had been stripped naked prior to nailing his hands and feet upon the cross – this was part of the customary cruelty of those times. It was also yet another part of the shame and disgrace He bore for our sakes. The shame of nakedness arrived on the scene when sin entered the world. Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were naked and felt no shame - surely a symbolism of all of life being laid bare before the One to whom we must give an account – and at that time there was nothing for them to hide. Genesis states the following regarding Adam and Eve prior to the fall:

25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Gen 2:25 (NIV)



The humiliation and disgrace of our first parent’s nakedness entered in with their sin and therefore He who was made sin for us was called to bare that same shame.



21 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 (NIV)


The soldiers more than likely had laid Jesus’ clothes aside to do the dirty work to later return to them for division and distribution. Their payment and willingness to crucify our Lord was for some simple old clothes. They were happy to kill Him for a mere trifle. While Christ was on the cross dying in agony they were greedily dividing His spoils. This is mentioned in all four gospels certainly calling us to a special attention of it – repetition being a red flag in Scripture.

The division of our Lord’s garments into four sections show there were four soldiers employed in Jesus’ crucifixion besides the centurion. One item – the undergarment – remained and, in lieu of rending it, they cast lots for it just as Scripture would have it – and yet another prophecy of Scripture was precisely fulfilled which had been delivered a mere thousand years prior. Surely these Roman soldiers could not have possibly imagined that they were actually supplying evidence of the Truth of the Scriptures. Again, God can use any clay pot to do His bidding - little do men consider that we are all instruments in God’s hand for accomplishment of His purposes. John testified that the words of the Psalmist were quite literally fulfilled:

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Psalms 22:15-18 (NIV)

“It is noteworthy that in this, as in many other things, our Lord was, in a striking manner, our substitute. He was stripped naked, and reckoned, and dealt with as a guilty sinner, in order that we might be clothed with the garment of His perfect righteousness and reckoned innocent…..It is worth remembering, that when the first Adam fell by sin and was cast out of Eden, God mercifully clothed him and covered his nakedness. When the second Adam died as our substitute, and was counted ‘a curse’ for us on the cross, He was stripped naked and His clothes sold.” J. C. Ryle

“O the deep, deep love of Jesus. Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love, leading onward, leading homeward, to my glorious rest above! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, never more! How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; how for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best! ‘Tis an ocean full of blessing, ‘tis a haven giving rest! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ‘tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me; and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!” Samuel Trevor Francis

“It is His love for man, His compassion for the human race, that prompts God to hate sin with such a vengeance. He gave Heaven’s finest that we might have the best; and He loathes with a holy abhorrence anything that would hinder our being reconciled to Him.” Billy Graham

What I glean from this:

• Jesus endured the shame and disgrace of nakedness for me – exposing and crucifying my sin through His body on the cross.


• The soldiers crucified our Lord for some simple old clothes – I wonder if I crucify Him over again with my actions for a spoil just as trite?


• Jesus was counted a curse for me so that He could wrap me in His garments of righteousness – praise Him!

Sharing Bread John 19:19-22

SHARING BREAD

19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 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. 21 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."



22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

John 19:19-22 (NIV)

How ironic that the words Pilate chose to place on the cross of our Lord would be the exact proclamation God would have the world to read nailed to the wood on which His Son bore all its sins. How like God who uses all vessels for His bidding – even Pilate.

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.    Prov 21:1 (NIV)

“JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS”- the proclamation read. Christ came to be a King and as a King He lived and suffered and died for His subjects and by His subjects. The title held a very full and significant meaning. There would have been no confusion of which cross Jesus hung upon. The myriads who passed by - who witnessed the crucifixion - saw that Jesus really did suffer and that He was not at the last moment released or another punished in His stead or taken away by miraculous intervention.

The crucifixion was prominently placed near the city where all those attending the Passover would pass by. Written in three languages – Hebrew (Aramaic) for every Jew would know it, the oldest language and the language of the Old Testament; Greek, for this was the language most known in all the eastern countries as well as the language of the educated and the intellectual; and Latin, for it was the language of the Romans, the ruling nation of the world at that time. There would have been no confusion - all who read the sign would understand and spread the tidings in their own tongue that One Jesus – the King of the Jews – had been put to death by crucifixion at the Passover feast. Perhaps even Pilate was used to help save a soul.

“In the Hebrew, the oracles of God were recorded; in Greek, the learning of the philosophers; and in Latin, the laws of the empire. In each of these languages Christ is proclaimed King, in whom or hid all the treasures of revelation, wisdom and power.” Matthew Henry

Paul clearly stated this Truth in Colossians that in Christ there is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge:

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3 (NIV)



Interestingly, there was also a spiritual sign upon our Lord’s cross that no human eye could read – Jesus’ vicarious death blotted out the ordinances of the law which was held against us because we could never righteously fulfill. Paul tells us Christ nailed them to the cross:



13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Col 2:13-14 (NIV)




Lastly, we see our Lord’s accusers vexed in spirit at the implied reflection of Pilate’s words on themselves. They had to have been uncomfortable in conscience even as hardened and wicked as they were. Surely they held secret convictions they desperately tried to keep at bay – that they did a wrong thing, a thing that would have been hard to defend to even to themselves much less to others. In an effort to shift guilt, they plead with Pilate to change the reading of our Lord’s sign to which he staunchly refuses. Even as hardened and haughty as Pilate was, he resolved not to gratify the Jews any further. He was glad to hold them accountable to scorn and contempt as a people who crucified their own King. He had made a stand and he was unyielding. It is not uncommon when a man has trampled his conscience in one direction to seek to make it up by being staunchly firm in another. His refusal to change the sign was simply another way Pilate so little knew that he was bearing testimony to our Lord’s Kingly office.



15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.  Isaiah 59:15-16 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• God directs man’s heart like a watercourse wherever He pleases.


• Jesus took my sins and nailed them to the cross.


• If I trample my conscience in one direction I am likely to seek to make it up by being staunchly firm in another.