Coming On Our Knees
Pray: A prayer of Saint Jerome an early Church leader (342-420)
Lord, thou hast given us thy Word for a light to shine upon our path;
grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Connecting with One Another:
Name several advertising symbols/logos that you feel are highly recognizable. What is your
favourite advertising logo? What makes an advertising symbol/logo memorable?
Listening to the Word:
Setting the scene: Before reading todays passage, remember that Jesus is in the midst of being
crucified on a cross, a horrible tool of the Roman Empire used to execute the undesirables.
Read John 19:28-42
In early Christianity there were several symbols that were associated with Christianity. For
example: the anchor, the fish, the dove, and the cross. Why do you think the cross became the
most prominent symbol of Christianity considering its horrible use?
Looking at verses 28-30
• Why do you think that John included in his account of the death of Jesus the fact that
Jesus was thirsty?
Pastor Darrell Johnson poignantly observes, The man who gives Living Water is thirsty.
“And as he thirsts…” Jesus who made the best wine is being offered the worse; a sponge soaked
in wine vinegar. The one who gives us living water… has thirsts. The one who gives us the best
wine… he drinks the wine vinegar. Do you see the exchange? Our rags for his riches. Our sin for
his forgiveness. Our life for his life.
Read John 19:30
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When Jesus says “It is finished” what is the “it” he is referring to? (John 4:34, John 17:4)
Jesus’ work was complete on the sixth day (Friday). What other work in the Bible was
finished on the “sixth day”? How might this be a picture of what Jesus completed?
John records the last moment of Jesus’ life by reporting, “With that, he bowed his head and
gave up his spirit.” Read John 10:18.
• Why do you think it was important to John to show that Jesus was in control of his own
life up until the very last breath?
• John said that Jesus “gave up” or literally “handed over” his spirit. What “spirit” was
promised to the disciples only after Jesus was gone?
Looking at verses 31-37
• Why did the Jewish leaders want the bodies taken down?
• Jesus’ legs weren’t broken like the other two who were being crucified with him. Why is
this?
• What might Exodus 12:46 and the Passover meal have to do with this?
Instead of breaking the legs of Jesus one of the soldiers “pierced” him.
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How does Zechariah 12:10-13:1 relate to this piercing?
Read John 19:38-42
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As you read this passage did a name jump out for you? If so who?
Who was Nicodemus? (see John 3:1, John 7:50)
Both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were running a risk by taking care of Jesus’
body. What might some of the risks be?
For reflection and discussion: Joseph of Arimathea the “secret disciple, ended up doing
something very visible for Jesus at a risk. Do you personally feel like a secret disciple? What are
some reasons a Christian right here in Canada might want to be secret about their faith?
Jesus transforms the cross from a picture of hate and death to a picture of love and life. Read
Romans 5:6-8. When considering the studies of the past two weeks and what Jesus endured for
us on the cross how does this make you feel? What should our response be to such a
demonstration of love?
Responding in Prayer:
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Thank God for his great love shown to us in Christ Jesus.
Ask God to show us how we might be a demonstration of His love to those around us.
Pray for each other in your group, rejoicing with those who rejoice and comforting those
who are struggling.
Coming up next week
Next weeks sermon will be based on the following passage: John 20:1-9 Easter Sunday: First
Day of the New World