+ Good Friday – April 10th, 2020 +
Series A: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; John 18-19
Beautiful Savior Lutheran
Milton, WA
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
On December 26th, 2004, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake hit just off the coast of Indonesia. A massive tsunami soon followed. The destruction was catastrophic. Water, mud, and debris covered the coastline. Thousands were killed on land, and thousands more were washed out to sea.
In the aftermath, the BBC reported a story of a woman named Malawati who was among those swept out to sea. She was stranded, surrounded by sharks, 18 weeks pregnant, and survived 5 days before a cargo ship rescued her.
When reporters asked her how she survived, she said, "I almost drowned twice as I could not swim and was thrashing in the water trying to keep my head up when I chanced upon the tree trunk".
She survived by clinging to a sago palm tree and eating its fruit.
This Good Friday we find ourselves in a far different situation. In the midst of a global pandemic. In our homes instead of gathered together here in person as we yearn to do during this Holy Week. In a constant state of worrying and wondering what the next week, day, hour, or minute will bring. And yet, there is a profound truth in Malawati’s story. This Good Friday we live and survive in the same way, only far greater.
Cling to the tree and eat its fruit.
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
All the trees of the Bible that we’ve looked at throughout these past 40 days of Lent lead us here, to this day. To this place. To this tree. To Jesus’ cross.
The same Lord who came to Adam and Eve after they were overcome by temptation, sin, and death through the tree of the Garden, now overcomes our sin, temptation, and death by the tree of his cross for Adam and Eve and for you.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”
The same Lord who appeared to Abraham under the Oaks of Mamre, and promised a son to be born, now appears upon the tree of his cross to fulfill his promise to Abraham and Sarah and to you.
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
The same Lord who came to Gideon and the people of Israel in their suffering with deliverance, suffered in our place on the tree of the cross to deliver us.
he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
This is how we live. How God rescues. How God saves. Cling to the tree and eat of its fruit.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
Following the Scriptures, the church has long taught that the blood and water flowing out of Jesus’ side fill the chalice of the Lord’s Supper where you receive the fruit of Jesus’ cross and the font where you are Baptized into his death and resurrection. And though we do not experience them today in person, these gifts, this fruit of the cross is yours even now.
Cling to the tree and eat of its fruit.
This is especially comforting for us today as we are unable to gather together in person for a short while. As we long for that friendly embrace and fellowship in the body of Christ. As we look forward to gathering around our Lord’s table to eat the fruit of his salvation won for us in his body and blood. As we yearn for that Holy Communion together.
Though life may overwhelm us, temptation overcome us, sin overtake us, they cannot and will not overwhelm or overcome our Lord’s work for you on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross for you overcomes all.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
This Good Friday. Tomorrow. And every day, we survive and live by God’s grace, as we cling to his tree, and eat its fruit.
A blessed Good Friday to each of you…
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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