Today is Not the End of the Story | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Good Friday

Today’s devotional image comes from artist Matt Dixon. I first ran across Dixon’s work on instagram (@mattdixonart).

One of my favorite pieces by Matt is entitled “Threshold.” It depicts a beautiful forest landscape where the very first leaf is falling for the upcoming season. Per usual, Dixon’s art contains a simple robot observing or participating in the natural world.

I love this image so much because it reminds me of the important connection between life and death. Much like the robot who seems captivated and confused by the beauty of this falling leaf, it’s important for me to remember the significance of Jesus’ death on this Good Friday. While there is a deep sadness on this day, it’s not the end of the story. Just as leaves must fall in order for new life to spring up, Jesus reveals his divine presence in his necessary death on the cross. The only way for him to reveal the fullness of his power, life and love is to allow death to take its final blow. Then, and only then, can redemption show its inevitable power. So as you wait for the joy of Easter, may your sorrow be wrapped in a deep knowing. A knowing that feels both the devastation and the comforting peace that on the other side of any and all death is life. 

John 19: 16-30

16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Crucifixion

The soldiers took Jesus prisoner. 17 Carrying his cross by himself, he went out to a place called Skull Place (in Aramaic, Golgotha). 18 That’s where they crucified him—and two others with him, one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate had a public notice written and posted on the cross. It read “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 Therefore, the Jewish chief priests complained to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews’ but ‘This man said, “I am the king of the Jews.”’”

22 Pilate answered, “What I’ve written, I’ve written.”

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and his sandals, and divided them into four shares, one for each soldier. His shirt was seamless, woven as one piece from the top to the bottom. 24 They said to each other, “Let’s not tear it. Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the scripture,

They divided my clothes among themselves,
    and they cast lots for my clothing.

        That’s what the soldiers did.

25 Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
28 After this, knowing that everything was already completed, in order to fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was nearby, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, placed it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed.” Bowing his head, he gave up his life.