1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Well, hey there, friends, I'm Jody Nisnick and 2 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: welcome to these special Holy Week meditations for LINT. My 3 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: prayer is that these quiet moments will help you slow 4 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: down to contemplate the Cross and what it means for 5 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: your life. Will begin our meditation after a brief word 6 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:37,520 Speaker 1: from our sponsors. Before we begin our meditation, I want 7 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,160 Speaker 1: to invite you to head into the show notes, where 8 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:43,599 Speaker 1: you will find a link to download the free I 9 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,919 Speaker 1: Am Companion journal that I've made for this series. It 10 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 1: has each scripture that we are meditating on, all of 11 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: the reflection prompts, and it gives you space to take 12 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: notes on your prayers and meditation time. I do hope 13 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 1: you'll take advantage of this free rese source. Well with that, 14 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: let's get started. I want to invite you to begin 15 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: by taking some deep in and out breaths. Slowly breathe 16 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 1: in and now slowly exhale. Go ahead and do that 17 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: again as a way to center yourself, as a way 18 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: to draw yourself to be present here and now keep 19 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: taking those deep in and out breaths. Let me pray 20 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: for a time. Gracious Lord, we ask that you would 21 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: draw us in today. You would help us hear from 22 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: you in your word. Today. Today is a difficult day. 23 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,079 Speaker 1: It is Good Friday. It is the day we remember 24 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: that you were crucified, that you died, and not just 25 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: any death, a really painful and agonizing death. So, Lord, 26 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 1: it would be easy for us to skip over this 27 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: and go straight to Easter, knowing how the story ends, 28 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:34,079 Speaker 1: but we ask in this moment, would you help us 29 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: to sit at the cross today, help us to contemplate 30 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: what happened, so that we can understand a little more 31 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 1: of what you went through for us. Thank you Lord, 32 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,239 Speaker 1: that we do know how the story ends. This death 33 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 1: is not without hope. Lord, guide and lead our time, 34 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: and we ask this for our good, for your glory 35 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: in the name of Jesus. Amen. Well, today is Good Friday. 36 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: It's a hard day. It is the most somber day 37 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: on the Christian calendar. And honestly, it's hard to sit 38 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: in these events knowing that suffering and humiliation was just 39 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: thrown at Jesus. It would be easier to skip straight 40 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: to Easter and celebrate, but there is no Easter without 41 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 1: Good Friday. And so today I want to invite you 42 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: to contemplate the crucifixion crucifixion truly exposes the darker side 43 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: of humanity. It was designed to be brutal, slow, and excruciating, 44 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: and Jesus endured it, all of it, the rejection, the beating, 45 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:18,239 Speaker 1: the suffering. And it's times like these where I think, 46 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: surely there had to have been an easier way, but 47 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: our Holy God says no, sadly there isn't. This is 48 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: the cost of sin. But I am not only holy, 49 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: I am loving, so I will pay this cost for you. 50 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: This is the way to healing and restoration. Thank you, 51 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: Lord that you have provided this way. Our passage today 52 00:04:54,880 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 1: is Jesus's final moment on the cross. As you listen, 53 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: imagine the scene as much as you are able to, 54 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: and allow Jesus's words to settle into your heart. Today. 55 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:18,040 Speaker 1: Our reading is John nineteen, verses twenty eight through thirty 56 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: in the New Living Translation. Jesus knew that his mission 57 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 1: was now finished, and to fulfill scripture, he said, I 58 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 1: am thirsty. A jar of sour wine was sitting there, 59 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 1: so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on 60 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:48,039 Speaker 1: a hissop branch, and held it up to his lips. 61 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:56,480 Speaker 1: When Jesus had tasted it, he said it is finished. 62 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 63 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 1: For our second reading, I want to invite you to 64 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: focus in on Jesus' final words, it is finished. Jesus 65 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill scripture, 66 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: he said, I am thirsty. A jar of sour wine 67 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 1: was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, 68 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: put it on a hissop branch, and held it up 69 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 1: to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, 70 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 1: it is finished. Then he bowed his head and gave 71 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: up his spirit. Take a moment to reflect on Jesus' 72 00:07:17,600 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: final words. What do they mean to you? As I 73 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 1: read a third time again? Allowed Jesus' final words to 74 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: stand out to you, And then I'll give you some 75 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 1: space to talk to God about what he's stirring in you. 76 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to 77 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 1: fulfill scripture, he said, I am thirsty. A jar of 78 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:51,679 Speaker 1: sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge 79 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: in it, put it on a hissop branch, and held 80 00:08:56,160 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, 81 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: he said, it is finished. Then he bowed his head 82 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:22,359 Speaker 1: and gave up his spirit. Talk to Jesus about the crucifixion. 83 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: Thank him for enduring the cross, thank him for finishing 84 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: this work, for faithfully completing his earthly mission. And talk 85 00:09:34,840 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 1: to him about anything else that is on your heart. 86 00:10:01,160 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: As I read a final time, rest in God's goodness 87 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:48,679 Speaker 1: and his love for you. Rest in knowing that God 88 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: was at work in the middle of Jesus's pain and suffering, 89 00:11:55,000 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: just as He is at work in our difficulties. Jesus 90 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill scripture, 91 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: he said, I am thirsty. A jar of sour wine 92 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,680 Speaker 1: was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, 93 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,439 Speaker 1: put it on a hissop branch, and held it up 94 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, 95 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 1: it is finished. Then he bowed his head and gave 96 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: up his spirit. Lord, thank you for the cross. Our 97 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: words feel a bit inadequate at the moment, as we 98 00:12:55,440 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: contemplate the cross and you dying on the cross us. 99 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 1: Thank you feels not enough, but it's what we have, 100 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: and so Lord, we offer our thanks to you today. 101 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 1: Thank you, Lord for finishing well, for enduring the Cross 102 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: for saving us from sin and death. So Lord, would 103 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: you help us to not move too quickly past all 104 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: of the emotions that we're feeling, and as hard as 105 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: it is, would you help us to sit in the 106 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 1: sacrifice of your body and your blood given for us. 107 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: Help us to just hold what you have done. Lord, 108 00:13:51,920 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 1: Thank you. We pray this in your name. Amen. Well friends. 109 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: If you are new to the So Much More podcast 110 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: or if you're new to the season of LENT, I 111 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: want to invite you head into the show notes and 112 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: grab the free I am Meditation Journal. I unpack a 113 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 1: little bit more about what LNT is and why Christians 114 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 1: have been practicing it for a very long time. You'll 115 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: also see in the notes my partner Life Audio, and 116 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 1: I encourage you to check them out at lifeaudio dot com. Finally, 117 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: if you are enjoying these meditations, one of the greatest 118 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: things you can do for me is either share these 119 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: with a friend or follow on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, 120 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: and if you're able, leave a review. All of those 121 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: things they just go a really long way and spreading 122 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: the word and helping get these meditations into the hands 123 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: of those who might need them. As always, my friend. 124 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,960 Speaker 1: Thanks for joining me on so much more because we 125 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 1: really do believe Jesus has so much more to say 126 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 1: to us, and this is one way we are creating 127 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: space to listen.