THE DAY OF ONE'S DEATH: A Good Friday Message

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR LAST DAY BEFORE DEATH?
THE SEVEN LAST UTTERANCES ON THE CROSS.
A Message Crafted As A Pastoral Theology Presentation.

Introduction:
During the time of the Romans, when a criminal is brought before the judge, a careful and usually fair hearing is conducted. Such was not the case in the Criminal case People of Israel Vs. Jesus Bar Joseph of Nazareth. Because of political considerations, his trial was not fair. It was a foregone conclusion that he would be found guilty and he was.

When the judge finds the criminal guilty, and when his crime is such that it was considered in the category of a heinous crime, his penalty would be crucifixion. The judge intones very solemnly “IBES CRUCEM”, To the cross you go.

The Criminal is then asked to carry the beam of the cross and, escorted by soldiers, led through a procession that will pass through all the major streets of the city. This was a legal requirement. Along the way, if someone raises a hand and says “I have evidence that he is innocent”, the soldiers will take him back before the judge for another trial. In the case of Jesus, some cried, some laughed, some sneered, some were just plain “Uzi” Uziziros, but no one had the courage to say “I have the evidence”.

Along the way, Jesus stumbled and A Cyrenian, a Jew from what is now known as Libya, was forced to help him. According to stories, this person became a believer and founded the first Christian group in North Africa.

At the site of the crucifixion, the upright post of the cross would already be there. The beam or horizontal bar was the one he carried. First, the beam is nailed to the vertical post, while on the ground forming, usually, a capital letter T (no place for the head to rest).

The criminal’s hands are then nailed to the cross. His feet are usually not nailed but tied together. The cross is then hoisted up and usually stands quite low so that the criminal’s feet were only 2 or 3 feet from the ground.

In the hoisting up of the cross, the criminal is very much alive. This was the terror of crucifixion, the pain. The pain was excruciating but not enough to kill. The victim was left to die of hunger and thirst beneath the blazing noontide sun and the cruel coldness of the dark night. Some criminals did not die for a week and was stark raving mad man when death finally and mercifully arrived.

This was how it was in the time of Jesus. It was a time of agony, of rejection, of terror viewed from the human point of view. But, through all of these, Jesus showed us what it means to be a man of dignity, suffering and dying with dignity.

I know that the Good Friday sermons are Theological and Soteriological in nature. I will not do that today. We have heard that year after year. I would like to present what we call a pastoral Theology sermon. Learning from the crucifixion of Christ the lessons for everyday life rather than lessons for our salvation.

When times are really tough, how do you respond? When the heart is bleeding emotionally, when hope seems to be as distant as a rain in the summer, when rejection seems to be constant as traffic of Metro Manila, what do you do? When grief has become your bedmate. When betrayal has become your breakfast, lunch and dinner, what do you do? This is not a Theological nor Soteriological sermon. This is a Pastoral Theology message and listen carefully for personal lessons.

What did Jesus do on the day when everything was dark, seemingly hopeless, difficult?

1. HE DEALT WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S NEEDS.
1.1. NEED OF THOSE WHO OFFENDED HIM. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
1.1.1. The religious leaders who insulted him and mocked him by demanding a proof from him that He was who he claimed he was – Mt. 27:41-42.
1.1.2. The passers-by who insulted him by demanding a proof from him that he was who he claimed he was. – Mt. 27:40.
1.1.3. The Soldiers who were primarily interested in what they can earn even from his suffering and death. – John 19:23-24.
1.1.4. The Criminals on his right and left who poured insult after insult upon him. Mt. 27:44. Later one of them would repent and ask him from him.
1.2. NEEDS OF THOSE WHO NEEDED HIM.
1.3. NEEDS OF THOSE WHO DEPENDED ON HIM.
1.3.1. THE MOTHER FOR A SON TO LOVE AND LEAN ON. Jn. 19:26. “Behold you Son.”
1.3.2. THE TRUSTED DISCIPLE WHO NEEDED GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO. Jn. 19:27. “Behold your mother.”
1.3.3. The Criminal who repented of his sin. Luke 23:42-43.
1.3.3.1. The words of the dying Criminal: Remember me when you come into your kingdom.
1.3.3.2. The words of the dying Christ: Today, you will be with me. I will not only remember you. I will take you to be with me.

2. HE DEALT WITH PERSONAL ANGUISH. Mt. 27:46. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
2.1. He admitted his anguish (forsaken)
2.2. He directed his complaint to God (not to people)
2.3. He refrained from commenting against people.

3. HE DEALT WITH PERSONAL DUTIES TO GOD.

3.1. ONE LAST ISSUE OF OBEDIENCE. I THIRST. Jn. 19:28. “So that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” (Ps. 22:15)
3.2. ONE LAST STATEMENT ABOUT HIS WORK. IT IS FINISHED. Jn. 19:30. Relate this with verse 28. The touching of the vinegar was the last required fulfillment of the Scriptures. He had to obey. After having made the last act of obedience, he knew the required task in obedience is now complete. He can now die. So he said. It is finished. And committed his spirit to the Father.
3.3. ONE LAST STATEMENT ABOUT VICTORY. INTO THY HANDS, I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.


Luke 23:46. He was not in the grave in his spirit. He was not dead as a person for the person is spirit and body. The body died but the spirit was alive. The enemy thought he had killed him. This last statement showed he was not victorious after all.
Note: He started with a conversation with the Father. He ended with a conversation with the Father.

He started with a conviction of God’s mercy on the people, He ended with a conviction of God’s mercy on his own spirit.

He started with a relational affirmation. He ended with a relational affirmation.