Scripture: John 19:23-30
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and his sandals, and divided them into four shares, one for each soldier. His shirt was seamless, woven as one piece from the top to the bottom. They said to each other, “Let’s not tear it. Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the scripture,
They divided my clothes among themselves,
and they cast lots for my clothing.
That’s what the soldiers did.
Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
After this, knowing that everything was already completed, in order to fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was nearby, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, placed it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed.” Bowing his head, he gave up his life.
Consider:
I’ve become a little bit consumed by Jesus’ last words in this passage - “It is completed.”
I’ve had the privilege and honor of being at many bedsides while a person has begun the transition to the next life, and none of them have talked about their impending death list as if it’s a task on the end of a list. But that is almost exactly how Jesus seems to be approaching the end of his life on the cross. There is a list of tasks to accomplish before he goes, and he checks them off one by one. When he is finished, he checks the last box and preceeds to die.
Which all seems a bit silly to me.
So, what if Jesus meant something else, something entirely different?
One of the phrases we use at funerals is that a person’s baptism has been completed in their death. The idea is the new life which was begun in that ancient water ritual has now reached it’s logical and only conclusion, our death. It’s this apparent ending which is actually in and of itself a new beginning with Jesus.
Jesus’ purpose on this earth was to bring light and life to the world. From the beginning of his ministry he knew how it would end, the only path which he knew he could take led to death. And here, he shows us what it looks like to finish a full and fulfilling life.
The Task is over, the battle won. The future has now begun - because Jesus finished his task list and, satisified, let it go.
Respond:
Here is a reflection activity which will help you explore what truly matters by examining the legacy you wish to leave:
Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted
Close your eyes and take three deep breaths
Imagine you’re at the end of a long, fulfilled life
Open your journal and respond to these prompts:
What would you want people to say about how you lived?
What differences would you have made in others’ lives?
What achievements would bring you the most pride?
What regrets would you want to avoid?
Pray:
Dear God, help me to see and find the purpose you have for me during the remaining days of me life. Help me, on those last days, be able to look back on the life I led with purpose, clarity, and peace. On the day when our baptism is complete, may it be because we did all you put before us to do. Amen.
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