GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, March 21, 2008
John 18:1 - 19:42
Jesus Returns to
Heaven
Highlighted Verses: John 18: 28-30
28 After
this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to
fulfil
the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ 29A
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. 30When
Jesus had received the wine, he said,
‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Today is not an easy
day. Good Friday is the day we remember the end of Jesus' life - the
day he died.
And so today's Gospel story is the hardest to hear. Jesus is turned
over to the police by Judas, one of his own disciples. Peter,
another of his closest friends becomes so afraid that he pretends he
doesn't even know Jesus. And
then Jesus is crucified and dies.
It's always important to remember - especially when very sad things
happen in our lives - that God has a plan. He has a plan for each and
every one of us.
Wouldn't it be nice to know what God's plans for our lives might be? There are many
times that we struggle. When sad things happen to us we often have to
be very patient - and trust that God knows best.
We have a name for this
special trust. We call it faith.
Jesus knew God's plan for his life in a way that we never will. He knew
his life was ending - and all throughout today's Gospel reading Jesus
shows us that he knows exactly how his life will end. He knows that
Judas will turn him over. He knows that Peter will be afraid. And if
you listen carefully, you'll hear that he even knows his final words.
He knows his life is over - but more importantly, he knows that his
death is not the end. After Good Friday comes Easter. And after Jesus'
death comes his return and his life in heaven.
Today is a hard day. But have faith, because good things are coming.
Will you pray with me?
Dear God,
We know that, like Jesus, you have a plan for each of us. Help us to
fulfill your plans and to remain faithful during even our saddest days.
Amen
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