Read: John 19 & John 20
Watch: https://bibleproject.com/videos/sacrifice-and-atonement/
The final week of Jesus’ earthly life began with his prophetic entry into Jerusalem. He was hailed as a king with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Yet, he wept over Jerusalem and the people God had chosen to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. With righteous indignation, he disrupted the temple activities by cleansing it, declaring it should be a house of prayer, not a “den of thieves.”
He gathered his followers for their final Passover meal together. During this significant time, he instructed them, revealed their impending abandonment, prayed for them, and established a way for them to remember him. He took the bread, broke it, and declared it a symbol of his broken body. He took the wine and told them to remember how his blood would be poured out for them.
Afterward, they accompanied him to the garden to watch and pray, a vigil they failed to maintain. Judas arrived, betrayed him with a kiss, and Jesus was arrested. That night, he endured an illegal trial, beatings, shame, denial by his own, and conviction by both the religious leaders and Rome.
On Friday morning, he bore his own cross until physical exhaustion overcame him, and a stranger was compelled to assist. The crowds, who had once praised him, now cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” And so, the perfect Lamb of God, the Word made flesh, was nailed to a cross to die a criminal’s death. Even in his agony, he offered forgiveness, not curses. Finally, knowing he had accomplished the work his Father had sent him to do, he declared, “It is finished,” and breathed his last.
Devoted followers took his body, lovingly prepared it with washing and anointing, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a new tomb. There, all of heaven held its breath as they awaited Sunday morning.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins! I receive all your work on the cross. I die to myself, surrendering to your will and your Kingdom. I receive all that you fulfilled in your resurrection! “It is finished;” You have won the victory! I live in You!
Discussion Questions:
- The Tension of Waiting: The final sentence speaks of heaven holding its breath as Jesus lay in the tomb, awaiting Sunday morning. What kind of emotional and spiritual tension might this period have represented for God, Jesus’ followers, and even the unseen realm? How does this “waiting” inform our understanding of the significance of the resurrection and the hope it offers?
2. The Paradox of Kingship: Jesus is hailed as a king upon entering Jerusalem. What kind of king was Jesus demonstrating himself to be, and how did this contrast with the expectations of the people and the authorities? How is Jesus truly your King?
3. The Significance of Remembrance: Jesus institutes the practice of remembrance during the Passover meal, connecting the bread and wine to his broken body and poured-out blood. How does intentionally reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice shape our understanding of his identity and our relationship with him?
4. The Spectrum of Human Response: The last week highlighted a wide range of human reactions to Jesus: adoration, disappointment, betrayal, denial, and ultimately, violent rejection. What underlying motivations and fears might have driven these contrasting responses? How do we see similar dynamics play out in responses to Jesus and his message today?
5. The Meaning of “It Is Finished”: Jesus’ final declaration on the cross, “It is finished,” carries immense weight. What do you believe were the various aspects of the “work” that Jesus declared complete? How does understanding the scope of this accomplishment impact our understanding of salvation and our own purpose?