“Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 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. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.” -John 19:31-35
During this Lenten season, we have walked to the cross with a variety of characters from John’s Gospel. We started with John the Baptist. We continued with people like Mary, Judas, Malchus, and Peter. We will meet Herod and Pilate, and the crowd assembled at Mount Calvary. Judas will make an appearance, as will Mary Magdalene. One person we cannot forget is John. Which John? The beloved one. The disciple and apostle. The Gospel writer himself! It is his words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, which have fueled and guided our Lenten theme. It is John who is an eyewitness to all that has transpired, and to Who Jesus truly is: God and man.
In John 8:58, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” Have you ever reflected on this? Have you ever pondered the depth and mystery of it? As we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday, it has some stunning implications.
It means that Christ, as God, made the tree from which His cross was carved. Christ, as God, made the minerals from which His nails were forged. Christ, as God, set in motion the political events that sent Pontius Pilate to Judea, Herod to Jerusalem, and Caiaphas to serve as high priest. The implications really are stunning!
And so is the mystery and intrigue of Good Friday. Really think about it. God hung on a cross? God was pierced with a spear? A split-lipped, puffy-eyed, blood-caked God on a cross? A sponge was thrust into God’s face? Dice were tossed at God’s feet? God bled? God took nails? YES!
But John also writes, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). The verb shines is present tense. John doesn’t write “the light shone” or “the light will shine.” No, he writes, “The light shines in the darkness.” And “the darkness has not overcome it.”
With those last words, John prepares us for Good Friday and Easter. Nails. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Darkness. Three hours of darkness! And then death. Three days later, though, the light shines (present tense, shines)! Christ is alive! Christ is Risen! This is our hope and future!
As we approach Holy Week and Easter, we remember and look to the One Who suffered and died for us. The One Who before Abraham was, existed. The One Who was born of a virgin, and Whose birth the angels sing. We remember and look to Jesus, the God-man, who took our sin upon Himself, lived and died for us, and rose again so that we could be the Father’s forever! The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!
Christ is Risen!
Pastor Nick Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXIII, Number 9, April 2022)