Lilac Ministries

Bible Study Lessons

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Scripture: Exodus 12:22-24; John 19:23-30

Topic: Christ did not cling to earthly life

Jesus did not cling to earthly life. Nor did Jesus disdain it. While the soldiers were busy caring for their own needs and wants (dividing Jesus’ garments and casting lots for the seamless tunic, the article of clothing worn closest to the skin), Jesus was providing for Mary’s earthly needs through John. In response to “I thirst,” an unnamed person offered sour wine, using a sponge and a branch of hyssop. Jesus received it and then relinquished earthly life.

Although the branch of hyssop might seem to be the only link between this passage and the Exodus verses, the connections are, I think, several. Hyssop was used in purification rites - as a means of sprinkling the Israelite congregation with sacrificial blood. In Psalm 51, David asks the Lord to cleanse him with hyssop, so that he may be white as snow (after his sin with Bathsheba). In the Exodus passage, the Israelites are instructed to use hyssop to apply the blood of a sacrificed lamb on lintel and doorposts, so that the Lord will “pass over” their homes, thus protecting their households from the death sentence carried out against the Egyptians during the night.

The Israelites offered God imperfect lambs. But God offers FOR us the perfect Lamb. An unnamed person offered Jesus sour wine. But God offers us perfect wine - the blood of Christ. At this point, we may well feel moved to join David in his exclamation (Psalm 139:6), “All of this is too much for me!” It goes beyond what we can fathom.

It seems that the same word or phrase used in scripture to describe Jesus’ act of relinquishing (releasing) is also used as a term for forgiveness. Just as we imagine Jesus must have felt RELIEF in giving up earthly life and what had become its literally excruciating (“from the crucifixion”) pain, perhaps our decisions to offer forgiveness can be a means toward blessed RELIEF from the thoughts and emotions that might otherwise reign in our minds and hearts. Passive weakness (we have experienced someone else’s unjust power) is transformed into active strength. Amen.