Cross Poured Salvation! John 19:28-35

March 24, 2021
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking? These words, "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins," shows us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. Sermon Series: "Cross+Connections" Sermon Text: John 19:28-35. Sermon Theme: The Fruit of the Cross Poured: What is the Benefit of this eating and drinking?" Midweek lenten sermon preached 24-March-2021 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Tell City, Indiana by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert.

Episode Notes

Lenten Sermon Series Theme: Cross+Connections     3/24/21
Sermon Text: John 19:28-35
Sermon Theme: Cross Poured Salvation!

I.N.R.I. John searched for a new land. He heard tales of a fountain in this new land whose waters had the power to restore his aging body. On April 2nd , 1513, six days after Easter, they spotted the fabled land which reportedly held the fountain of life. John named the land “Florida.” We better know John by his Spanish name Juan Ponce de Leon. Florida didn’t bring Juan the fountain of life it led to his downfall. When he returned to colonize Florida in 1521 his crew were attacked by Calusa braves and a poison arrow struck Juan in the thigh. The colonists boarded their ship fleeing to Havana, Cuba where shortly Ponce de Leon died of his wound.
        Tonight we stand with another John at the foot of the cross. The apostle John quietly followed Jesus to His trial in the courtyard of the high priest. He was an eyewitness as Jesus stood before Pilate unjustly condemned to please the mob’s demand for crucifixion. John stood with Mary the mother of our Lord at the foot of the cross. He was there as Jesus suffered and died. Saw the spear sunk into Jesus’ stone cold crucified body, releasing a bloody watery fount of life on creation. The fount of life is opened and we behold :Cross Poured Salvation!

I.   It 9a.m. ,the time of the morning sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem, when the True Sacrifice took place outside of the gates of the city.   Jesus, tried and found twice innocent, is nailed the cross in the place of Barabbas. Barabbas a notorious rebellious murderer had tried to overthrow Roman rule. He was tried and found guilty of treason and murder. Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, is astonished that the mob demands a murderer be freed and an innocent Man, called the King of the Jews, be executed. Jesus is nailed to the cross at the same time as the priests in the Temple were slaughtering a spotless lamb for the sin offering of the morning sacrifice, the nails pierced the Lamb of God’s innocent flesh pinning Him to the altar of the cross.
      Jesus taught Nicodemus the source of Baptism’s power - John 3:14-17 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jesus is sacrificed to save our fallen world. From baptismal waters John the Baptist pointed to Jesus confessing: "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Caiphas, the High Priest, had scapegoated Jesus - demanding His crucifixion that a rebellious murderer might walk free.
      Know any murderers? Jesus teaches, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”(Matthew 5:21-22) Have you ever burst out in anger - you are a murderer! Have you ever insulted a fellow Christian - you are a murderer! Ever called someone a “numbskull” who pulled out in front of you? You are a murderer! Not according to my words, but the Word of the Judge. God the Holy Spirit warns, 1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” Barabbas’ name means “son of the father” - which father - the father of lies, who was a murderer from the beginning - the Liar Satan!
        Like Barabbas we are justly tried and convicted worthy of eternal death in hell. We cannot save ourselves - behold God’s mercy - Jesus willingly takes the place of all Barabbas es. Looking at the Crucified we confess with Isaiah, Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. (5) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Behold God’s grace - He gives His only begotten Son to atone for all rebellious sinful murderers. He puts our sin, our punishment fully on Jesus and He willingly bears our hellish burden.
    There was no other way back to our Heavenly Father. No set of new rules or principles for us to follow earning our way back into God’s favor. The only hope for all sinners was that the God-Man take our place, suffer our hell, bear our shame, and die our death. Here all our imagined good works fall on the manure pile - look only to Jesus crucified for your sins. Behold salvation! It never found in you, in your feelings, in your emotions, in your morality, in your reason, in your strength - it is found in Jesus - the Word made real flesh and sacrificed for all real sinners. Behold the mystery of the God’s saving love: 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
      Six hours Jesus hung suspended between heaven and earth. Satan mocked Him through the mouths of priests, soldiers, by standers, and dying thieves urging Him to abandon His mission. Lying promises to believe Him if He came down from the cross. He remains in weakness and pain to save sinners. From noon to 3p.m. the sun ceased to shine upon the earth - God’s full wrath and judgment poured out on His only-begotten Son. The once beloved Son of God the Father - Jesus is abandoned, forsaken, forgotten for my sin. As the time of the evening sacrifice breaks - 3p.m. - the sacrifice is complete. (John 19:28-29).
        Salvation for sinners is completely accomplished. Our price is paid with His own blood - justice is met. The Law has found perfect fulfillment for us lawbreakers in Jesus’ perfect life. He suffered my full punishment under the Law for my sin. The battle against sin, Satan, and the world has been waged and like Samson of old He has slaughtered them all for you. He thirsts and sour vinegar is given fulfilling Scripture’s prophesy, Psalms 69:20-21 Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. (21) They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
        Jesus drinks the vinegar of our sin, shame, hell, and death - that He might quench our thirst with sweet wine of forgiveness, life and salvation. (John 19:30). All is accomplished - finished - salvation is won now the last enemy must be defeated - death. No one takes Jesus life from Him. He freely lays it down to win us the victory over the grave.
      What fruit of the cross is fed us in the Lord’s Supper? (LSB. Pg.327 W.B.T.E.&D.?) Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Treasures are placed on your dying lying lips in this wondrous meal. (Pg. 329) Christian questions and answers - use these in preparing for the Lord’s Supper. Read with me #15, #16. Learn - only Jesus reconciles you to His Father and your Father, to His God and your God. Learn that sin is deadly - it killed God - don’t play with it - drown it daily returning to your baptism. Above all rejoice in Christ! You are saved! He is your comfort. Trust in Him - if the world says, “You are not a Christian “- cling to Jesus confessing, “My Lord has claimed me in the waters of Holy Baptism. He has place His living body and blood into the mouth of my body in the bread and wine - world you lie!”
II.   Thirst can kill! The children of Israel thirsty began complaining against Moses and God that they were led into the desert to die. The Lord God told Moses and Aaron to stand before the congregation speak to the rock and water would flow out. Moses lost his temper, struck the rock with his staff and water gushed out quenching the thirsty. For Moses’ one act of public disobedience the Lord forbade him to enter the promised land. This is the stark reality of the Law - disobey it once and it bars you from the promised land of heaven. Salvation by good works is futile, one misstep and the law dooms for eternity.
      The only Way to the Father is Jesus flesh and blood, the Rock, sacrificed for sinners upon the cross. (John 19:31-35). Jesus’ side is pierced by the staff /the spear of the Roman soldier. John sees and testifies that out flows blood and water.   Life and salvation flow from the lifeless side of Jesus. Life for the world.   (LSB. Pg.327 W.B.T.E.&D.?) Listen only to Jesus’ Words and Promise in the Lord’s Supper - Forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given by His living Word. Life is in the Blood of Jesus poured upon the dust - for us who are formed of dust. Receiving the Sacrament we are assured that these dusty bodies of ours will rise again. The words and promises of Jesus declare this to you: “John 6:53-57 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. (54) Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. (56) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (57) As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
        Jesus’ Life and His cross won salvation is placed in our mouths assuring us that these bodies are redeemed and will rise from the grave. On the Last Day Jesus will command, “Arise!” and our graves be robbed of our bodies. They will be perfectly restored incorruptible, immortal, fully human to live eternally face to face with Jesus in our Father’s House. Amen.

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