Sermons
“Into thy hands I commit my Spirit,” Jesus says in Luke 23; and in John 19, “It is finished.” These are Jesus’ very last words before he dies in each respective gospel.
The more we understand the context in which the words were said—especially in light of the temple curtain which was torn in two—the more we see how Jesus’ death is significant for our lives. This is no mere academic exercise; Jesus’ death means the forgiveness of all our sins and a radically new life for the Christian.
“I thirst,” Jesus said as he neared his final breath. It would be easy to overlook these two words, but they are loaded with significance. What does Jesus’ thirst mean, both for him on the cross, and for us today? Jesus, the living water of God, poured out living water into our souls, emptied himself, and took upon himself the eternal thirst of hell on our behalf, so that we might never be thirsty again.
One of the most haunting cries in all of Scripture: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As Jesus hangs there and laments the loss of the presence of God, we can’t help but ask: Did God really forsake Jesus? And if so, does that mean he might forsake me? This morning we hear Jesus’ heart-rending cry and learn why Jesus’ great anguish leads to our great assurance.
As he hangs on the cross Jesus tells his mother, somewhat cryptically, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and then immediately to John, his disciple, “Here is your mother.” In saying this he emphasized that his followers—the church—are family. We are not like family; we are family. How does the crucifixion make that possible, and how do we live as family with one another?
“Today you will be with me in paradise,” Jesus promised one of the two criminals who was crucified beside him. This famous promise gives great comfort to Christians, but it also raises questions.
Can God really forgive a death row inmate at the last possible second? Are there crimes or people that God will not forgive? What limits does God’s mercy have?
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Jesus’ famous cry from Luke 23 is well known, but what is Jesus really asking for? Whom is he asking God to forgive? What does forgiveness look like? Does God actually forgive them? And does God forgive us?
