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Call to worship: Isaiah 53:8-12
Text: John 19:23-42
Summary:
Having begun the work of atonement, Jesus finishes it. Along the way, we're to take special notice that every aspect of the cross is directed by the Word of God and the God of the Word. We're to see that Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God. We're to see our Lord's otherworldly love for His own and, in it, the establishment of a new cross-centered family of faith. Of course, we're to find the utmost solace and joy in redemption accomplished. We're to mark that He truly died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. He not only suffered for us, but He also really died for us, that we might die in the certain hope of eternal life. If we have believed in this pierced Passover Lamb of God, we have refuge from the judgment our sins deserve. John calls on us to believe---and to believe truly; which he depicts in the publicity of Joseph and Nicodemus' identification with Jesus at the cross! With nothing to gain and all to lose, they claim Him, for they have been born again. He is their Savior-King and, as such, He's buried, so that God might add yet another stamp of approval upon the redeeming work of His Son: resurrection!
Sermon Outline:
The crucified Jesus is the Bible's Christ---be exposed at the cross. (19:23-24)
The Bible's Christ is His family's bond---be stayed at the cross. (19:25-27)
His finishing death is the fountain of life---believe the truth of the cross. (19:28-37)
His glorious burial, our glorious burial---bear your cross for Christ. (19:38-42)
Prepare
Discussion Questions:
- Read John 19:23-42.
- In 19:23-24, how would you describe the relationship between the soldiers' activity and the prophetic nature of Scripture? Every seemingly small activity surrounding the cross is foretold in Scripture. What does that teach us about the cross? About Jesus? What can you make out about the nature of fallen Man? Opposite the four soldiers, you have four women and a formal disciple in 19:25-27. What do you make of our Lord's concern for Mary, his mother? How does this new relationship relate to the cross? How might this relationship become foundational for the new creation people of Jesus?
- Nearing the end of His suffering, to what does John alert us in 19:28? How essential was every line of Scripture to Jesus? What all is meant in the quote, 'I thirst'? Meditate on those great words, 'It is finished.' What is finished? What are the implications for us of His finished work? How is Christianity then distinct from all other religions and ideologies in the world? What rest and peace comes to your soul under the consideration that you're the heir of a finished work? What is the significance, not just of His suffering, but of His dying? What is the significance in His giving up His spirit? Consider John 10:17-18.
- What further significance is attached to His death in 19:31-37? What religious tragedy do you discern in the Jewish leadership? How does 'the piercing soldier' unknowingly help to advance the truth and cause of Christ and Him crucified, of Christianity? What biblical passages does Jesus, now dead, continue, by providence, to fulfill? How does the Passover come into view? Where is John leading us by the quote of Zechariah 12:10? Make it to Zechariah 13:1! Pray for a spirit of grace and mercy to be poured out upon the preaching of Christ and Him crucified!
- What's the import of John's text break in 19:35? What is his desire? How does he leverage Joseph and (surprise!) Nicodemus to come back to his theme of true faith in Jesus as the Christ of God? What characterizes true faith in Jesus to John? How does the burial of Jesus continue to fulfill Scripture? Would you tie any other significance to Jesus being buried in a garden? The text closes with Jesus dead and buried in the heart of the earth, but what do we already know from John? Consider John 5:21-29, John 10:17-18, John 11:25-26, 40, John 14:1-3, John 17:5.