Scripture
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)
Meditation
Jesus, the perfect lamb, cries from the depth of his being, “It is finished”… and commits his spirit into his Father’s hands. All movement in his body stops… his lungs stop breathing… his heart stops beating… as he hangs motionless, lifted up from the earth to draw all people to him.
Spend some time imagining you are standing in front of the cross with the disciples in this moment when all was gone… their Lord, their hope, their future…
Take the stone from your packet… hold it in your hand and allow all that you are feeling to pass into that cold, lifeless stone…
Can you feel death’s nearness? Can you feel the grave’s power?
Can you feel the bottomless depth of despair?
Can you feel the encompassing darkness of desolation?
Can you feel the indescribable pain of grief?
Can you feel the unthinkable fear of the future?
Let the fear, pain, and confusion of your entire life… what you have received from others… what you have done to others… pass into that cold, lifeless stone…
Let the regret, sorrow, guilt and shame of your entire life… all you have done, all you wish you hadn’t done… pass into that cold, lifeless stone…
Let the brokenness you have experienced… the brokenness you have caused… pass into that cold, lifeless stone…
Let that cold, lifeless stone represent the body of Christ… offered for you in undying love…