Good Friday: Though death came life and hope

Mar. 30, 2021

Contributed by Communication Group Staff

KS created a series of Hawaiian-focused devotionals for Lent to honor the deep Christian faith of KS founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The devotionals were designed to be used by students, staffers and others to celebrate the coming of Easter, so please feel free to share them.

Heluhelu Baibala
Bible reading

Ma hope aʻela, ʻike ihola ʻo Iesū, ua pau nā mea i ka hana ʻia, ʻī maila ia, i kō ai ka palapala hemolele, Ua make wai au. E waiho ana i laila kekahi ipu, ua piha i ka vīnega: a hoʻopiha ihola lākou i ka huʻahuʻa kai i ka vīnega, a kau akula ma ka lāʻau husopa, a hoʻopā akula i kona waha. A loaʻa iā Iesū ka vīnega, ʻī maila ia, Pau akula! A kūlou ihola kona poʻo, a kuʻu aku ia i ka ʻuhane. – Ioane 19:28-30

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:28-30

He manaʻo o ke kahu
KS Kapālama Kahu Sherman Thompson KSK'74

Good Friday is not only a national holiday but also a time of remembrance and reflection that many can’t fully comprehend. Remembering the agony experienced by Jesus in His death on the cross, crucified by Roman soldiers, we also join with Christians around the globe focusing on the gift of salvation through His crucifixtion. 

In our text, John’s gospel reaches its culmination with the crucifixtion. From the beginning of the gospel, Johnʻs narrative has been building to this conclusion. The many signs in John lead to this greatest of signs. The hour to which Jesus has consistently pointed has now arrived – His crucifixtion. Good Friday has always pointed me to a somber and painful time. Johnʻs account of Jesusʻ last moments tell the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice for us in suffering a humiliating, bloody death by crucifixion.

Just before he gave up his Spirit, John records that Jesus cried, “It is finished!” Jesus’ words simultaneously signal the end, but also a new beginning. It is the end of death’s dominion and the birth of new life and new hope for our future. The cross which was the end of all ends, now stands as a new beginning – the instrument of our freedom, severing our bondage to sin and separation from ke Akua. Even death cannot obscure ke Akuaʻs glory of this new creation. Though “It is finished,” it also anew!

He manaʻo o ka haumana
Logan Lau KSK’22

In the gospel of John, Jesus is seen on the cross, in His final moments before ascending into heaven. Jesus, being fully God and man, carries the sins of all mankind on His shoulders as He is the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God. At this time, Jesus feels the full physical pains of being a mortal and human, and while He could have taken himself off of the cross at any time, He loved us so fervently to pay the ultimate price and heal our sins. Whenever I read John 19, I am always reminded of the love and selflessness displayed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing that He was omnipotent, He could’ve saved Himself the pain and suffering, but He didn’t. Thus, every day I try my best to live selflessly and lovingly like Jesus. His death brought life and hope, and therefore, I will forever serve Him.