and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice
written and fastened to the cross, which read: Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.
(…) The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews’; but, ‘This man
claimed to be King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered them, “What I have written, I have
written.” When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into
four parts, one part for each of them. But as the tunic was woven in one piece from top
to bottom, they said, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots to decide who will get it.” This fulfilled
the words of Scripture: They divided my clothing among them; they cast lots for my
garment. This was what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his
mother’s sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of whom he loved, he
said to the mother, “Woman, this is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “This is your
mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home. Jesus knew all
was now finished and, in order to fulfill what was written in Scripture, he said, “I am
thirsty.“ A jar full of bitter wine stood there; so, putting a sponge soaked in the wine
on a twig of hyssop, they raised it to his lips. Jesus took the wine and said, “It is
accomplished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up the spirit. (…)

 
Reflect

 
“It is finished.” Today is Good Friday. This is the day when Jesus laid down his life.
This is also the day when a new family, characterized by a new relationship, flowed
out from Jesus’ life-giving Spirit. Before Jesus died, he said that it is finished.
The use of the Greek word tetelestai, “it is finished,” connotes that Jesus had
already completed his mission but its effects continue to be experienced by the
people he saved. Moreover, it is interesting to note that the Greek expression
paredōken to pneuma, meaning “he handed down the Spirit,” implies that Jesus,
upon bowing his head, handed down the Spirit to the community of disciples standing
at the foot of the cross. This suggests that the mission of Jesus must continue with
and through the members of the new family he raised when he was exalted on the cross.
We, Christians, are the members of this new family resulting from Jesus’ offering of
his own life. However, many of us, are already contented with seeing ourselves as the
community of the saved. We should not forget that when Jesus handed down
the Spirit to us, we have also become a saving community.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2024