Gathering the Gleanings: Reflections on Life in the Ministry

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19: 28 – 30

This is a scripture that is read in most Christians around the world on Good Friday. The day that we remember how Jesus walks that dusty road, being spat on and jeered, toward the ultimate brutal death he was about to endure.

Crucifixion is believed to be the most horrific, painful, and unimaginable way to die. Yet Jesus knew what was coming. Sure he had earlier asked God “if this cup could pass me, but not my will yours be done”. People surrounding Jesus those times, whether those that wanted him crucified or those mourning of their son, friend, Rabbi, or other followers, did not know, understand or could not be grasp Jesus words prior to his last – It is Finished.

As Christians we know what comes Sunday morning. Two important things:

We absolutely need to hear the jeers, see anew the agnony of Jesus carrying his cross. We need to sense the pain of the on lookers, to feel more deeply the experience that would come Sunday morning. To deepen our faith and relationship with our Lord and God we can not simply journey from the triumphal entry into Jersalem to the triumph coming on the next Sunday. Sit here, listen here, speak if you need, take it in.

Once we do this first thing we can very deeply encounter the acts of Sunday. For we know “All is finished.…for now!