Sermon – Good Friday

Crucified.

I want to sing a song for you.

[Sing “Die To Me” - see words at end of sermon]

That song has been rattling around in my head all week as I thought about today. I learned it a long time ago, but obviously haven’t lost it. I know it as “Die To Me.” The chorus especially sticks and ties into what I want us to think about today.

[sing chorus again]

Let me read you a piece of Paul’s letter to the Romans. (Rom. 6:3-6 – NRSV)

³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.

Listen to that last verse again.

⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.

And then there’s this; also from the Bible:

I have been crucified with Christ; ²⁰ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. (Gal. 2:19b-20a - NRSV)

Think about that for a minute. We’ll put it up on the screen.

[sing chorus again]

So often we hear the message, “Jesus died for us.” And in many ways it’s true. All the sacrificial atonement theology rests on that idea; that Jesus dies for us. Jesus died in our place. Jesus is the perfect unblemished lamb. Jesus was the sacrifice that appeased an angry and righteous God. Jesus is the high priest who offers himself as the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus completed the Jewish Torah Law. We get to live forever, because of the sacrifice, the death of Jesus. Without Jesus death, we would not be forgiven and reunited with God. We don’t have to die.

There is much power in that message. Many a Good Friday sermon has been written on that message. That is a legitimate and accepted understanding of what was going on on that day Jesus was beaten, abused, tortured and nailed to a rough wooden cross in order to slowly asphyxiate and die.

But it’s not the only way to make sense of Jesus’ death. It’s not the only theme in scripture about Jesus crucified. Those two verses from Paul’s writings remind me that there’s more to it than just God sent Jesus; Jesus died; now I’m good with God so on I go.

When I chose to follow Jesus; when I chose to place my faith and trust in God, through Christ; I chose to take my place with Jesus.

³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Rom. 6: 3 - NRSV)

Jesus’ death becomes something that I participate in, too. Not just as executioner, but as fellow victim. I also need to be crucified.

Now that’s not a death wish. I’m not a pain junkie, ‘cause let me tell you, crucifixion involves a lot of pain.

But it’s a recognition that in order for me to know resurrected life, here and now, there are things about me, parts of who I am, that need to die.

Do you know what I’m saying? Can you resonate with it, yourself?

Think about it.

What about you needs to die? In order for you to experience the kind of resurrected, amazing, whole, complete life that God intends for each of us, what needs to be crucified?

In order to love God with everything you are and every thing you have, what needs to be nailed to that cross?

In order for you to really love and treat other people the way you expect, demand, hope to be treated yourself; what has to die?

[sing verse 1 of song]

⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.
(Rom. 6:6 – NRSV)

I have been crucified with Christ; ²⁰ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. (Gal. 2:19b-20a - NRSV)

Here’s what I want us to do, today.

Right now, the ushers are going to distribute a piece of paper to you. There should be pens or pencils in the hymn book rack in front of you. On that piece of paper I want you to write something about you that you know needs to be crucified. It could be a character trait. It could be a habit you have. It could be something you’ve been working on for years. It could be something God just pointed out to you right now. Please don’t put your name on the paper. This is between you and God. We don’t need to know.

In a moment you will have the opportunity to come forward and attach your piece of paper to the cross, as a symbol of your commitment, your willingness, your longing, for that part of you die in order that Christ may live more fully through you and within you.

Because we have this promise, this great news:

⁴ Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

I’m just going to play while you think about what to write. When you are ready, please come to the front to attach your paper to the cross. There are thumbtacks for you to use.

[Strum and hum “Die To Me”]

All I Must Do (Die To Me)

Well I've learned my lesson well
With my eyes on me I fell
And there's no one left to blame
Cause it's me who brings the pain

(Chorus)
And all I must do is die to me
That is the way You make me free
I would give all my dreams
I'd give everything
Just to have you living in me.

Words by: Bannister, Brown & Blanton, Mike
© 1982 Bases Loaded Music, Meadowgreen Music Company, BMG Songs, Inc.

CCLI# 2353223