Good Friday 2023

Devotional

This Spring we have taken a deep dive into the seven statements that Jesus made while he was on the cross, in a series called “7 Words”. Our focus on these things has been both challenging and encouraging to me as I have reflected on the intentionality of the life and words of Christ. On Good Friday, we have arrived on the sixth statement, in which Jesus simply says…

"I thirst." [John 19:28 ESV]

In the original greek, this simple, one word statement is nearly forgettable and seemingly unimportant, but there is a lot of truth packed into this statement. While it certainly points to the fulfillment of a prophecy in Psalm 22, we will turn our attention to the revelation of the humanity of Jesus.

We sometimes forget that Jesus was a man. In our attempt to understand the idea of Jesus being fully man and fully God, we can find ourselves chasing our own tail by running in theological circles. Jesus was man. Just like you, and just like me. He faced this gruesome death, just as any man would in that circumstance. So today, we remember the death of a man… a man who knew no sin… a man who deserved no death… a man who was the son of God… a man who’s blood was spilled on our behalf.

As you turn your heart towards Jesus today, I want to encourage you to find time this evening to participate in the activity below. It is a powerful and significant way to exercise reverence and intentionality on this holy day.

---

Activity

You Need:

• Seven candles

• Lighter or match

• A dark room

• The seven statements of Jesus (see below)

This activity can be done alone or with others. Begin by finding a dark room and lighting the seven candles. Each candle represents one of the seven statements Jesus said while he was on the cross. Take your time to read each statement, one by one. After reading a statement, diffuse a candle and allow for a moment of silence for reflection and stillness. After reading the last statement, “It is finished”, diffuse the last candle, so that you will end in darkness and silence. Each person should take as much time as they need to fully reflect on this moment, and should be allowed to leave the room in silence when they are ready. Below are the “7 Words”

---

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. [Luke 23:43]

Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." [Luke 23:43]

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. [John 19:26-27]

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). [Matthew 27:46]

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." [John 19:28]

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. [Luke 23:46]

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. [John 19:30]

Advent / Unity

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Luke 2:13-15

A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Psalm 133

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must ] love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:34-35

---

WHAT DOES unity in Christ look like during ADVENT SEASON?

The Christmas season is a time marked by traditions and lore unique to every family. Anything from a particular way of opening gifts, to specific holiday foods, each tradition seems specific and significant. You will hear statements beginning with, “It’s not Christmas without…” followed by something that has been done for years. While each of them are distinct and special, there is one common thread that is shared with each tradition… the gathering of people. Outside of Scrooge, I don’t know of anyone’s Christmas tradition that is done alone. 

For me, my favorite Christmas tradition is attending church on Christmas Eve. As a kid I wasn’t particularly fond of church and frankly rather bored and unentertained by “big church”, but for some reason Christmas Eve was different. While I certainly loved the carols and candlelight, the most special thing about that service was how we went together as a family, including my grandparents. I specifically remember us laughing at and teasing my grandfather one year for wearing two mismatched shoes. We didn’t realize it at the time, but this was the beginning stages of a battle with Alzheimers that stole the last several years of his life. Despite the sad end to that story, I still have a fond memory of this moment because it was us, being with one another, to celebrate the birth of our savior.  

Scripture has a lot to say about how we interact with “one another”. In fact, the statement “one another” occurs at least 100 times in the New Testament alone. We are commanded to “live in harmony with one another”... to “bear with one another”... to submit, encourage, forgive, teach, serve and love one another. Jesus even goes as far as to say that how we love one another is how the world will know we are his disciples. As a child, I didn’t realize, this is what unity in Christ looks like and about the most God honoring thing we can do as Christians. 

As the final week of advent is upon us, undoubtedly you will gather with the “one anothers” of your life… your friends, family and loved ones. If you’re like me, that will include a Christmas Eve Service where you will read of the savior of the world wrapped in swaddling clothes and sing carols proclaiming “Joy to the world”. Rather than gathering over presents, egg nog or traditions, I want to encourage you to gather in the name of Christ.  

Consider…

• What family traditions are special to you? How can those things honor Jesus this week?

• Is there a place of disunity in your life? How can the Lord help bring reconciliation to that relationship?

— Jake Thomen

Advent / Generosity

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:2-4

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

---

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GENEROUS LIKE CHRIST THIS ADVENT SEASON?

I don’t know about y’all, but this one got me this week. Generosity is something that we’ve all heard of, aspire to, and even dream of, but how many of us practice this on a daily basis? The easy one to go to is money. We all need it to survive. Money keeps the roof over our head, food in our stomachs, gas in the tank…and we spend most of the hours of the weekday working to earn it. So, when we’re asked to give of it, freely and earnestly, there’s only one thing that can truly cause us to do so, and that is the Spirit of God within us as followers of Christ.

I grew up in a lower income household and have three younger siblings (you may know two of them). We lived on food stamps for multiple short stints, my parents worked multiple jobs, garage sales were a staple for clothing and toys, and yet…we never went without. The little we did have leftover, my parents gave, and it wasn’t always money. It was help working on a broken-down vehicle, it was a shared meal when people were hungry, it was a bed and safe place to live when the homelives of others were a source of pain and need. We never had much, and yet we had EVERYTHING because my parents knew, Jesus was our provider above all else.

Jesus came to Earth so that we could have life, but not just any life, but life abundantly. And He did so by giving of everything He had, to the point of death. HE GAVE IT ALL. And that very same giving spirit He had, He has given to us in the form of the Holy Spirit. The intangible deposit that is the embodiment of the hope and life that we have in Christ. That Spirit permeates our every fiber of being, it affects the way we speak to one another, friends and strangers alike. It affects how we give of our free time to those in need; whether it be monetarily, physically, or emotionally. It affects our mindset and allows us to be compassionate and forgiving, even when our flesh wants to scream out and exact retribution for any slights made against us, whether they be imaginary or real. Generosity is a gift and one that should be poured out to everyone, because you never know who might need it…including yourself.

Consider…

• Is there any part of your life where you can be generous to another this Advent season?

• What things has God been generous with for you that you may have not acknowledged and given Him thanks for?

— Trevor Ayer