John 19:17-30

Be Still: Lord, open my heart to hear you speak today. Amen

Read: John 19:17-30

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ’It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (v30)

Encounter: If we were to list the most popular movies by topic, love and the triumph of good over evil would definitely be in the top 5. We all love a good story and try as much as we might, no-one in human history could write a story or script in these genres nearly as good as the one we read in today's passage. 

The main character, Jesus, is hung up on the cross, seemingly defeated by the authorities and the powers of evil; he has been mocked, tortured and crucified -- all the evidence is that he has been defeated. BUT...there is the greatest plot twist of all time: Jesus is Messiah, the Son of God. The One who has willingly chosen to go to the Cross and die for all humanity. In three words, he declares the greatest act of love that anyone could imagine: ‘It is finished’ and in that moment, everything changes. Jesus fully human and fully divine, lays down his life for us. 

I cannot even begin to imagine the scale of that sacrifice. Jesus saw all humanity's brokenness -- the pain, the injustice, the sin -- and, to him, every single person was worth dying for. 

Charles Wesley penned these beautiful lyrics which sum up the sacrifice that Christ made for us.:

‘Died He for me, who caused His pain—For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

‘My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.’ *

Apply: It's easy to rush past the crucifixion and not take time to consider the power and significance of it. Take some time today to re-read the story, slowly, taking in every moment, and let Christ’s love fill you again. 

Devote: Lord, thank you that you died on the Cross for me and that you changed history. Thank you for the freedom that you won for me. 

* Charles Wesley, 1738