“The Crucifixion”

IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE “And being in agony,, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

ON THE CROSS “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM WHAT JESUS DID & SAY? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE AND WHY?

ON PALM SUNDAY As the week of Passover begins, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and people cheer him, shouting “Hosanna – blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

AT THE CRUCIFIXION “And the people stood looking on” REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM WHAT THE PEOPLE DID? WHAT HAD CHANGED & WHY?

IN THE TEMPLE “So they watched Him and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words in order to deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor.

AT THE CRUCIFIXION “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM WHAT THEY SAID? DID THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING?

ON PALM SUNDAY “A Roman imperial procession was also entering Jerusalem for Passover from the other side of the city. It happened every year: the Roman governor of Judea, whose residence was in Caesarea on the coast, rode up to Jerusalem in order to be present in the city in case there were riots at Passover, the most politically volatile of the annual Jewish festivals. With him came soldiers and cavalry to reinforce the imperial garrison in Jerusalem.”

AT THE CRUCIFIXION “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself” REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM WHAT THE SOLDIERS SAID WHAT WERE THEY REALLY THINKING?

ON THE CROSS “... Seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds...?

ON THE CROSS Criminal 1 - “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” Criminal 2 - “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” REFLECTION WHAT CHOICES WERE BEING MADE HERE?

ON THE CROSS “Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened …” REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE REACTION OF NATURE? WHAT DOES SAY ABOUT WHO JESUS IS?

JESUS DEATH ON THE CROSS And when had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM WHAT JESUS SAID? DID JESUS DIE FROM THE CRUCIFIXION OR DID HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE?

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” REFLECTION WHAT CHANGED THIS HARD, WAR WEARY CENTURION?

When you reflect on the responses of the different people at the crucifixion, who do you think Jesus is personally? REFLECTION WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT JESUS FROM THIS EVENT? IS HE “MESSIAH,” “KING,” “SAVIOUR” TO YOU?