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Showing posts with label The Last Words of Jesus: Seven Sayings from the Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Last Words of Jesus: Seven Sayings from the Cross. Show all posts
Before he died, Jesus made seven statements from the cross. During the weeks leading up to Easter, we’ll look at what Jesus said and how we might apply these words to our lives. Below is a list of the six topics based on seven passages from the Gospels of Mark, Luke and John.
On Sunday, we considered the words of humanity offered by Jesus in Luke 23:46:
Jesus shouted, “Father, I put myself in your hands!” Then he died.[Luke 23:46, CEV]
A video of the service, a recording the sermon and a copy of the bulletin is below. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Before he died, Jesus made seven statements from the cross. During the weeks leading up to Easter, we’ll look at what Jesus said and how we might apply these words to our lives. Below is a list of the six topics based on seven passages from the Gospels of Mark, Luke and John.
On Sunday, we considered the words of humanity offered by Jesus in Luke 23:46:
Jesus shouted, “Father, I put myself in your hands!” Then he died.[Luke 23:46, CEV]
A recording and the text of the sermon is below. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Have y’all noticed all the palm branches around here this morning? Now you know that can mean only one of two things. I mean, either the session voted on Wednesday evening to send all of us to Florida for a special congregational meeting, or today is Palm Sunday, that wonderful Sunday right before Easter when the deacons invite us to a breakfast/brunch immediately after the service and kids and teachers can look forward to a three day work week and of course, we remember Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I mean, just listen to how the Evangelist Luke described it:
Then [the disciples] led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back and helped Jesus get on. And as he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. When Jesus started down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. They shouted,
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven
and glory to God.” [Luke 19:35-38, CEV]
Now that’s what we’re celebrating today.
But of course that’s not all. I mean, since this is the last Sunday before Easter, we’re also finishing the series we started five weeks ago entitled The Last Words of Jesus: Seven Sayings from the Cross. And as y’all remember, during that time, we’ve heard words of forgiveness and words of salvation from Luke. And we’ve heard words of relationship and triumph from John. And we’ve heard words of humanity from Mark and Matthew as well as John. Now that’s what we’ve done over the last month or so.
And this morning, we’re going to bring it home by looking at the very last words Jesus said according to Luke. This was what he wrote:
Jesus shouted, “Father, I put myself in your hands!” Then he died. [Luke 23:46, CEV]
Now that’s what it says in Luke, and I’ll tell you, I find it really interesting. You see, for the third evangelist, as he died, Jesus anticipated his coming reunion with this heavenly father.
And I’ll tell you, that’s going to be our focus this morning. You see, we’re going to consider two lessons that I believe we can learn from these last words from Christ. And hopefully, by the time we settle into a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, we’ll have a much better idea about why this return was important back in the day and how it might shape what we choose to do as Christians right now. And like I said, both these lessons are grounded in these seven words Jesus spoke from the cross.
For example, I think these words show us, in no uncertain terms, that since he was returning to the father, Jesus knew his mission on earth was ending. Now for me, that’s the first lesson we can take from what he said. You see, according to Luke, right after Jesus told the faithful criminal “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise” [Luke 23:43, CEV], this was what happened:
Around noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until the middle of the afternoon. The sun stopped shining, and the curtain in the temple split down the middle. Jesus shouted, “Father, I put myself in your hands!” Then he died. [Luke 23:44-46, CEV]
Now that’s what Jesus said. And I think that’s important, and I’ll tell you why. By putting himself into his father’s hands, Jesus must have recognized that he was approaching the end of his mission here on earth; a mission that was really about two things.
I mean, on one hand, his mission was about power, wasn’t it; and I’m talking about something really special he’d received from God, in fact, a source of inspiration that he carried with him throughout his ministry. Jesus had power. And I’ll tell you, according to Luke, he received this power before he’d really done much of anything. Just listen to what the Evangelist wrote in the third chapter of his gospel:
While everyone else was being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. Then as he prayed, the sky opened up, and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.” [Luke 3:21-22, CEV]
You see, before he’d told a single parable or healed a single leper or performed a single miracle, the Holy Spirit came and rested on Jesus. And I’ll tell you, that Spirit was really important in shaping and empowering what Jesus did. I mean, it was with him as the devil tested him three times in the wilderness. And it was with him as he offered thanks to his father for revealing his truth to ordinary folks like you and me. And it was with him when he was in Gethsemane and he prayed, “Father, if you will, please don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.” [Luke 22:42, CEV] Now this was the power that drove his mission, a mission Jesus knew was ending as he faced death on the cross.
But that’s not all we know about his mission, because, on the other hand, it was also about a message. And you know, it was a message that Jesus shared throughout his time on earth to everybody who would listen. And I’ll tell you, if we want to know what that message was, man, it’s not hard to find, because it was the same good news that he shared the very first time he spoke to a group of people, at least, according to Luke. I mean, after he’d been baptized and endured the devil’s temptations,
Jesus went back to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as usual he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. When he stood up to read from the Scriptures, he was given the book of Isaiah the prophet. He opened it and read,
“The Lord's Spirit
has come to me,
because he has chosen me
to tell the good news
to the poor.
The Lord has sent me
to announce freedom
for prisoners,
to give sight to the blind,
to free everyone
who suffers,
and to say,
‘This is the year
the Lord has chosen.’ ”
Jesus closed the book, then handed it back to the man in charge and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue looked straight at Jesus.
Then Jesus said to them, “What you have just heard me read has come true today.” [Luke 4:16-21, CEV]
Now that was the message he came to share. And I’ll tell you something, this really was the focus of his ministry. I mean, whether through the lessons he taught or the miracles he performed, Jesus was all about bringing the good news to those who needed to hear it the most. Announcing freedom and hope and peace, this was his mission. And I’ll tell you, this mission was not only empowered by the Spirit, it was also centered on a message that was clear and simple; something else that Jesus knew would soon be coming to a conclusion when he died.
You see, when Jesus said, “Father, I put myself in your hands!” [Luke 23:46b, CEV], I think he realized that, since he was returning to the father, his mission on earth was ending. And for me, that’s the first lesson we can draw from his words.
But I don’t think that’s not the only thing we can take from what he said as he died on that cross. You see, second, based on these same words, I also think we can learn that since his mission had ended, our mission to the world was beginning. And I’ll tell you, that just makes sense. I mean, since he was no longer going to be around to do it himself, we, his disciples, those who heard and responded, we were now going to be ones to continue his work. And you know, I think we can see what I’m talking about in another story that came after the crucifixion and the resurrection but before Jesus was reunited with his father. I mean, listen to what Luke wrote, this time in Acts:
Jesus said to them, “You don't need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky.
Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way you have seen him go.” [Acts 1:7-11, CEV]
Now that’s what Luke wrote, and just think about what it might mean. You see, once Jesus had returned to the father, now it was time for his followers to pick up his mantle and to start doing his work. In other words, since he was no longer physically around, it was up to them to become his people. And it was up to them to be his voice. And it was up to them to continue his mission. And what was true for them then is true for us now.
And although on the surface that may seem like an impossible job (I mean, how can we possibly do the work of Jesus Christ?), I’ll tell you something, to accomplish it, God’s given us the same thing that Jesus had.
For example, just like Jesus’s mission was all about power, we have power too. In other words, we’ve also received something really special from God. And we carry an incredible source of inspiration today and tomorrow and right to our end. Man, we have power. And guess what, it comes from the exact same reality that descended and rested on Jesus at his baptism. Just listen to how Luke described it in Acts:
On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. [Acts 2:1-4, CEV]
You see, the same Spirit that rested on Christ throughout his life also rests on us. And that Spirit can move us forward in spite of difficulties. It can move us forward in spite of opposition. And it can move us forward in spite of our own personal fears and doubts. But even more than that, this Spirit can open our eyes and our minds and our hearts and our hands so that we can see and understand and feel and serve. I’m telling you right here and right now, the Holy Spirit rests on us. And even though Jesus is no longer physically here any more, our mission is also about power.
But that’s not the only thing we’ve got, because just like Jesus’s mission was all about a message, ours must be too. And I’ll tell you, the message is exactly the same. It’s just like what Peter said right after receiving the Holy Spirit:
Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power. [Acts 2:22-24, CEV]
Now this is the message. And you know, it doesn’t matter whether we share it through the words we use or the love and kindness we show, we’re doing the same thing Jesus Christ himself did. Paraphrasing what Mary said before Jesus was even born, we’re announcing the one who came to scatter those who are proud, the one who drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power, the one who gives the hungry good things to eat and sends the rich away with nothing. And using the words of Peter, we’re inviting those around us to “turn to God and be baptized...in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of [their] sins, and [assuring them that they] will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for [them and [their] children. [In fact,] it is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live.” [Acts 2:38b-39, CEV] That’s what we can offer to our world. You see, as it was for him, our mission is also about a message.
You see, when Jesus said, “Father, I put myself in your hands!” [Luke 23:46b, CEV], I think he realized that since his mission had ended, our mission to the world was beginning. And because of that, now it’s up to us as his people to continue his work. And for me, that’s the second lesson we can learn from these words.
But, of course, these are words from the cross. Today is still Palm Sunday, a day we celebrate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem and not his departure from the earth. I mean, although they’re both important, certainly in terms of mood and energy, they really don’t seem to have a whole lot in common. But I’ll tell you, I do believe there’s a link, especially when we hear the whole Palm Sunday story. You see, after Jesus entered the city with people shouting
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven
and glory to God.” [Luke 19:38b, CEV]
this is how it ended:
Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, make your disciples stop shouting!”
But Jesus answered, “If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.” [Luke 19:39-40, CEV]
You see, when Luke wrote, “Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I put myself in your hands!’ Then he died.” [Luke 23:44-46, CEV], I believe he was offering us two lessons that we can learn and apply: first, that since Jesus was returning to the father, his mission on earth was ending; and second, that since his mission had ended, our mission to the world was beginning. In other words, and here’s the link I was talking about, since Jesus is now silent because he’s returned to God and since we now have the same mission with the same power and the same message, maybe it’s our time to become like those stones in Jerusalem and to start shouting ourselves. You see, maybe this is the challenge in these last words of Jesus from the cross, the word of reunion.
Before he died, Jesus made seven statements from the cross. During the weeks leading up to Easter, we’ll look at what Jesus said and how we might apply these words to our lives. Below is a list of the six topics based on seven passages from the Gospels of Mark, Luke and John.
Before he died, Jesus made seven statements from the cross. During the weeks leading up to Easter, we’ll look at what Jesus said and how we might apply these words to our lives. Below is a list of the six topics based on seven passages from the Gospels of Mark, Luke and John.
On Sunday, we considered the words of humanity offered by Jesus in John 19:30:
After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died. [John 19:30, CEV]
A video of the service, a recording the sermon and a copy of the bulletin is below. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Before he died, Jesus made seven statements from the cross. During the weeks leading up to Easter, we’ll look at what Jesus said and how we might apply these words to our lives. Below is a list of the six topics based on seven passages from the Gospels of Mark, Luke and John.
On Sunday, we considered the words of humanity offered by Jesus in John 19:30:
After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died. [John 19:30, CEV]
A recording and the text of the sermon is below. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Is it just me or are we flying through the month of March? I mean, it seems like just yesterday we were counting down how many days we had left in winter. And not including today, the official number is now two. For me, March is quickly becoming a blur. And even though I believe no one should wish their life away, that’s actually O.K. with me. In fact, I wouldn’t shed a single tear if we could jump right from March 5th to April 1st.
But I’ll tell you, that wasn’t always the case. You see, when I was younger I loved basketball, although I’m not entirely sure why. I mean, I was generally the guy on the team who was short but made up for it by being slow. And during my playing days, I sort of viewed the bench as my home away from home. Still, in spite of my shortcomings, I loved basketball, which made this particular month a huge deal. You see, when I was growing up in Virginia, every March, about 25 conference winners played a single elimination tournament to determine the national college basketball champion. And when it was over, only one team would come out on top. And they’d be able to look back on their season knowing that they’d done everything they’d set out to do, while everyone else could start thinking about next year. Now, for me, that was March Madness. And trust me, when I was between the ages of ten and about twenty-two, man, this was the greatest thing since sliced bread, at least it was for me.
And I’ll tell you, that’s kind of what we’re going to talk about this morning, you know what we can do now that something far more important than a basketball season is over. Of course, this is the fifth message in a series we started back in February dealing with what Jesus Christ said from the cross. And over that time, we’ve talked about how these words can remind us of forgiveness and salvation as well as the new relationship that we can enjoy and the basic humanity that Jesus showed.
And this morning, we’re going to continue this by focusing on these words from the Gospel of John. You see, this was what he wrote:
After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died. [John 19:30, CEV]
Now for the Evangelist, this was the very last thing Jesus said from the cross. And with that in mind, this morning, we’re going to take these words, and we’re going to consider two truths that I believe they convey, one dealing with Jesus and the other focused on us.
For example, based on what he said, I think it’s pretty clear that, in his mind, Jesus knew he’d finished his work on earth. As a matter of fact, that’s exactly how it was translated in the King James Version: he said, “It is finished.” [John 19:30b, KJV] And you know, when you think about it, based on what Jesus knew, that statement was certainly true, for three very definite reasons.
I mean, first, he certainly knew that he’d accomplished his mission. In other words, as he considered the reason he came, Jesus must have recognized that he’d really done everything he came to do, and I’m talking about the mission that John outlined right at the beginning of his gospel. Just listen to what he wrote:
In the beginning was the one
who is called the Word.
The Word was with God
and was truly God.
From the very beginning
the Word was with God.
And with this Word,
God created all things.
Nothing was made
without the Word.
Everything that was created
received its life from him,
and his life gave light
to everyone.
The light keeps shining
in the dark,
and darkness has never
put it out.
The true light that shines
on everyone
was coming into the world.
The Word was in the world,
but no one knew him,
though God had made the world
with his Word.
He came into his own world,
but his own nation
did not welcome him.
Yet some people accepted him
and put their faith in him.
So he gave them the right
to be the children of God.
They were not God's children
by nature or because
of any human desires.
God himself was the one
who made them his children.
The Word became
a human being
and lived here with us.
We saw his true glory,
the glory of the only Son
of the Father.
From him the complete gifts
of undeserved grace and truth
have come down to us. [John 1:1-5, 9-14, CEV]
Now, for the Evangelist John, this was the mission when “the Word became a human being and lived here with us.” [John 1:14a, CEV] You see, the Son came down to be a light shining in the darkness, revealing the glory of God and drawing together those whom God had made his children. And you know, during his life, that’s exactly what Jesus did and that’s the first example of how he knew that he’d finished his work.
But you know, that’s not all, because, second, I think Jesus also knew that he’d communicated his message. You see, by the time he’d been lifted up on the cross, he’d already explained to the people exactly what had to happen and why, something that he told Nicodemus in the third chapter of the gospel. I mean, just listen what Jesus said to this Pharisee who came to him in the middle of the night:
And the Son of Man must be lifted up, just as the metal snake was lifted up by Moses in the desert. Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life.
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned. But everyone who doesn't have faith in him has already been condemned for not having faith in God's only Son.
The light has come into the world, and people who do evil things are judged guilty because they love the dark more than the light. People who do evil hate the light and won't come to the light, because it clearly shows what they have done. But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do. [John 3:14-21, CEV]
Now that’s what Jesus said to this man who came out of the dark into the light, that the Son of Man had come not with fire and brimstone but rather to announce a simple and straightforward decision that all those within earshot had and have. You see, based on what he said, we can choose to play it safe and stay in the dark. And we can choose to reject who the Son was and what he came to do. And we can choose to separate ourselves from the life and the hope and the peace that he offers. This we can choose to do, because we just love the comfortable dark. Or we can decide to take a chance and step into the light. And we can decide to accept who the Son was and what he came to bring. And we can decide to experience a little bit of eternal life right here and right now. You see, during his life, that was the message Jesus communicated and that was the second thing I believe Jesus knew that he’d done right before he died on the cross.
And third, Jesus also knew that he was about to empower his followers through a promise he’d already made. In other words, before he died on that cross, to those folks who’d been involved in his mission and who had accepted his message, Jesus had already told them about a source of power that they would have after he’d gone back to the Father. I mean, just listen to what he said to his disciples right before his arrest and crucifixion:
I was with you at the first, and so I didn't tell you these things. But now I am going back to the Father who sent me, and none of you asks me where I am going. You are very sad from hearing all of this. But I tell you I am going to do what is best for you. This is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.
The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God's justice and the judgment. The Spirit will show them that they are wrong about sin, because they didn't have faith in me. They are wrong about God's justice, because I am going to the Father, and you won't see me again. And they are wrong about the judgment, because God has already judged the ruler of this world.
I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you. [John 16:4b-14, CEV]
Now, that’s what Jesus promised his disciples, a source of power that would enable them not only to keep going after he’d returned home, but also to respond to his mission by announcing his message. And in this way, before his death, Jesus empowered his followers, and for me that’s the third example of how he’d finished his work and he knew it. And so, when he said from the cross, “Everything is done!” [John 19:30b, CEV], I think he meant it. His work on earth was finished.
But that was him; what about us? What do those words mean to us? And how might they shape what we say and do now that the Son has returned to the Father? In other words, having established “the what,” now we’re left with “the so what.” And even though I guess it could be taken in several different directions, for me, the answer is pretty clear. You see, I believe these words from the cross remind us that now it’s our time to act. In other words, since Jesus’s work on earth is finished, now it’s up to us. Now it’s up to us to respond. And now it’s up to us to show that we understand his mission and accept his message and claim the power he offers. And I’ll tell you, just like we can break his knowledge into three parts, I think there are three things we already know as we respond to him.
For example, I think we already know our mission. And I’ll tell you, although sometimes we make this word seem really demanding and sound really difficult, personally, I think it’s incredibly simple. You see, when talking about their future mission, this was exactly what Jesus told the disciples to do, and spoiler alert, it’s certainly not understanding rocket science, and it sure doesn’t demand traveling to the other side of the world. This was what he said to them and says to us:
Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. And you are my friends, if you obey me. Servants don't know what their master is doing, and so I don't speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything my Father has told me.
You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. So I command you to love each other. [John 16:12-17, CEV]
Now that’s what he said, and frankly, I think it’s just about as clear as it can be. I mean, do you want to do what God wants you to do? Love each other. Do you want to produce the kind of fruit that will last? Love each other. Do you want to receive everything you need to do what God has called you to do? Love each other. Like I said, it’s not rocket science; it’s all about loving one another. Now that’s our mission, and that’s the first thing we already know.
But that’s not all, because second, I think we also know the message, and I’m talking about the same message that Jesus communicated through both his words and his work. And I’ll tell you, I believe the Evangelist John also knew exactly what that message was and offered a way for everybody to know it too. I mean, just listen to what he wrote near the end of his gospel:
Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life. [John 20:30-31, CEV]
You see, we know the message, because it’s right here in this book. I’m telling you, everything we need to know about God and about Jesus and about the Holy Spirit is right here. But you know, for as remarkable as that is, paraphrasing Vice President Cactus Jack Garner, it ain’t worth a bucket of spit, if we don’t read it. You see, if we dust it off, open it up and actually take it in, man, we’ve got the message, and that’s the second thing that we already know.
And finally, I believe we also know that we’ve been given power. You see, we’ve got the power to know and the power to do and the power to feel. In other words, right here and right now, we’ve got the power to become everything that we were created to be and to say everything we were created to say and to do everything we were created to do. And I’ll tell you, this divine power is grounded in something Jesus did soon after his resurrection. Just listen:
The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them and showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they became very happy.
After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don't forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven.” [John 20:19-21, CEV]
Now, that’s what Jesus did; “...he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” [John 20:22, CEV] And what he did for them; brothers and sisters, he’s done it for us. But now the ball’s in our court, isn’t it. I mean, Jesus has breathed on us, right? And we can choose to avoid it. Or we can choose to ignore it. Or we can choose to deny it. But we can’t stop it; therefore, like it or not, we have power. You see, we have the power to claim our mission and to share the message. In other words, we have the power to be and to speak and to engage. And even though it sounds more Pentecostal than Presbyterian, I’m telling you, through the Spirit, we have God’s power, and that’s the third thing that I believe we know. And I’ll tell you, that’s good, since when you get right down to it, right now is our time to act.
OK, do you remember me telling you about how I’d look forward to this time of year back when I was younger than I am now? Well, as some of y’all know, a little later this evening, a committee will select the 68 schools that will participate in March Madness 2024. And even though the number of teams has more than doubled and along with conference champions, there’ll be a whole lot of at-large selections, still the tournament is really exciting. And in the end, only one team will be the national champion; therefore, the members of only one team will be able to look back and say they finished their season just the way they wanted while everyone else will begin to look toward next year.
And you know, I think the same kind of thing was going on “after Jesus drank the wine [and] said ‘Everything is done!’ [and then] bowed his head and died.” [John 19:30, CEV] You see, when he said it, I believe Jesus was recognizing that he really had finished his work on earth. And when we hear it, well, in a very real way, I think it becomes a reminder that now it’s our time to act. And for me, whether this is actually a word of triumph or not, well, that may be shaped by how we choose to respond.
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