Pray. Act. Pray Again. A 40-Day Walk with God
Week 7: The Crucifixion
Download the full Study Notes: https://www.peterboroughumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Pray-Act-Lenten-Study-2021-Study-Notes.pdf
The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence of His afflicted mother and other devoted followers. Jesus says, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He tells the man crucified with Him, “This day you will be with Me in paradise.” He cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He thirsts. Then, finally He says, “It is finished,” and “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.” The side of Jesus is pierced with a lance. His body is taken down and placed in the arms of His mother.
Note: This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case of our Lord, however, his scourging was rather before the sentence was passed upon him, and was inflicted by Pilate for the purpose, probably, of exciting pity and procuring his escape from further punishment (Luke 23:22; John 19:1). The condemned one carried his own cross to the place of execution, which was outside the city, in some conspicuous place set apart for the purpose. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. Our Lord refused this cup, that his senses might be clear (Matt. 27:34). The spongeful of vinegar, sour wine, posca, the common drink of the Roman soldiers, which was put on a hyssop stalk and offered to our Lord in contemptuous pity (Matt. 27:48; Luke 23:36), he tasted to allay the agonies of his thirst (John 19:29).
The accounts given of the crucifixion of our Lord are in entire agreement with the customs and practices of the Roman in such cases. He was crucified between two “malefactors” (Isa. 53:12; Luke 23:32), and was watched by a party of four soldiers (John 19:23; Matt. 27:36, 54), with their centurion. The “breaking of the legs” of the malefactors was intended to hasten death, and put them out of misery (John 19:31); but the unusual rapidity of our Lord’s death (19:33) was due to his previous sufferings and his great mental anguish. The omission of the breaking of his legs was the fulfilment of a type (Ex. 12:46). He literally died of a broken heart, a ruptured heart, and hence the flowing of blood and water from the wound made by the soldier’s spear (John 19:34). Our Lord uttered seven memorable words from the cross, namely, (1) Luke 23:34; (2) 23:43; (3) John 19:26; (4) Matt. 27:46, Mark 15:34; (5) John 19:28; (6) 19:30; (7) Luke 23:46.
Through the prayers this week, consider what it means to ask, “God our Father, by the merits of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, have mercy on me and on the whole world. Amen.”
• Day 35, Holy Week Monday: Full Confidence in God
• Day 36, Holy Week Tuesday: A Thankful Heart
• Day 37, Holy Week Wednesday: Focus on the Good
• Day 38, Maundy Thursday: God’s Armor Revealed
• Day 39, Good Friday: Seek God
• Day 40, Holy Saturday: It is Done – Empowered!
• Easter Sunday: The Way, the Truth and the Life
Focus Verse: Day 40 – Empowered (Adapted from Ephesians 3: 20-21)
Now according to You who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I ask or imagine, according to the power that works within me, to You be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
The final prayer in our 40-day journey expresses the source of the power we now claim as a result of our redemption at the cross. It is a joyous declaration that our God is able to do more than we can even imagine by the activation of the power released at the cross by Jesus Christ and now residing within each believer. We acknowledge our own responsibility to claim our empowerment daily as we walk through life with the risen Christ at our side.
Study Questions:
1. Has there been an instance in your life when you have experienced the power of God working through you? How can you access that power daily in your life?
2. What do the prayers for this week tell you about the nature of man? What do they tell you about the nature of God?
3. What is your personal response to knowing that God will meet all of your needs if you focus on the good and maintain a thankful heart in all things?
4. Praying the warrior’s prayer daily (Day 38) has been found by many people to be very effective in resisting evil. What impact do you think praying this prayer for yourself and the world each day might have?
5. The final challenge for this study is to consider what it means for your own life to claim the resurrection power and know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
