28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 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. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”[a] 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- Think about how you felt when someone close to you died. What kinds of thoughts and feelings did you experience?
- Between the four Gospels we hear Jesus speaking seven words or phrases from the cross:
- “Woman, behold your son…” (Jn 19:26-27),
- “I thirst” (Jn 19:28),
- “Father forgive them…” (Lk 23:34),
- “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:43),
- “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me” (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34),
- “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), and
- “Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit” (Lk 23:46).
What do these statements tell or suggest to you about Jesus?
- Which of these statements is most meaningful to you at this time?
- Why does John place such an emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy? How does that bolster your faith in Jesus?
- How could the religious leaders have gotten Jesus so wrong? Where do you find the teachings of Jesus to be most difficult for you to obey? Do you ever see yourself being “religious” but not really devoted to following what Jesus taught? Thinking back to the Red Letter Challenge, which of the challenges was the most difficult for you?
Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for the cross, my friend! Amen
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: finished | Transliterated Word: Teleo
To end, complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) – accomplish, carry out, end, finish, fulfill, go through, keep, pay, perform
Family Engagement Activity
Today, make crosses as a family and spend dinner time talking about what the cross means to you. Maybe sing a hymn together.
OR
Make a campfire and bring a cross to it. Write your sins on pieces of paper and throw them in a fire, realizing your sin has been paid in full.
OR
Make a cross out of wood and have your family hammer nails in the wood, reminding them that everything has been paid in full!
Going Activities To Consider
Insightful Reflection: Read Psalm 34
How does this whole Psalm take on a deeper meaning when you connect it to the Cross because of these words?
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Today, make crosses as a family and spend dinner time talking about what the cross means to you. Maybe sing a hymn together.
OR
Make a campfire and bring a cross to it. Write your sins on pieces of paper and throw them in a fire, realizing your sin has been paid in full.
OR
Make a cross out of wood and have your family hammer nails in the wood, reminding them that everything has been paid in full!