Behold the Lamb of God, who carries the sins of the world +

He, who gave water to the people of Israel in the desert, who turned water into wine at Cana and who promised that whoever would believe in him, would never thirst, but be like a spring from whom waters of eternal life would sprout forth, he is hanging on the cross and is dying of thirst. Oh, what misery and suffering and affliction + the people turn his merciful miracles and loving wonders against him: “He could help others, but can’t help himself.” They not only flog him until his skin is shredded and torn, they also press the crown of thorns into his head, beat nails into his hands and feet that his blood pours forth and finally when he’s dead they pierce his side and blood and water gushes forth – the holy and most precious blood of the holy Christ shed for the propitiation of our sins and the sins of the entire world, so that he would be Lord of all and also my Lord! It’s his life blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins – guiltless, innocent, pure and holy. Nobody could find fault with him, but they falsely accused him and preferred the murderer Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be crucified like a criminal and hardened transgressor of the law. This was to fulfil what was written by the prophet Isaiah: “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Is 53:5)

Already in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus had pleaded prostrate before his father in heaven, that the cup of wrath would go by him. However again and again he added: “Not my, but your will be done!”  Instead of letting him off, the father made him go all the way and drain the cup of vengeance, drink the dregs, bitter and all. Jesus did so willingly, obedient to death, yes to death on the cross. He doesn’t think of himself, but rather pleads for the people rallying against him: “Father, forgive them for they don’t know, what they are doing!”  and has words of hope and salvation for the criminal crucified with him: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise!” And even when he is deserted by his closest friends and disciples, he still cares for them: “Dear mother – here is your son” and “Behold your mother!”  Abandoned he suffers the most terrible isolation so that he cries out in unfathomable anguish: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This suffering was very real and we should never mistake it for an easy way out, a farce or just a cheap bluff and token suffering. No, Jesus suffered through the very abyss of God’s ferocious vengeance and pent-up rage over all our ungodliness, rebellion and lack of trust and faith and love from the very beginning of human sinful transgression of the divine will, regiment and ordinance. He suffered vicariously in our stead the terrible thirst for life, for divine comfort and godly presence, which is the fate of all without God. Crucified he loses his blood, his life. Dehydration and suffocation lead to his prolonged, agonizing und humiliating death. He suffered naked, so that our thirst might be quenched with God’s mercy, loving care and gracious presence + that our sinfulness might by covered with his righteousness and forgiven for his sake. And he accomplished this. He completed it successfully. He was victorious. That’s why he can call out: “It is done! It is finished!”

He now let’s us drink his holy and most precious blood from the cup of the New Testament. The cup which overflows with forgiveness, grace, mercy, love and goodness. God himself pours out himself with everything he has so that we might drink and absorb him and thus have divine, eternal and blissful life of salvation. Yes, his cup overflows and from him we receive grace upon grace. “Drink of it all of you. This was shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. May it bless and keep you in the true faith in Jesus Christ to life everlasting. Depart in peace +” Amen.

“On my heart imprint Your image, Blessed Jesus, King of grace, That life’s riches, cares and pleasures Never may Your work erase; Let the clear inscription be: Jesus crucified for me, Is my life, my hope’s foundation, And my glory and salvation!” [Thomas Hansen Kingo tr.Peer O. Strömme 1856-1921]