Raised – John 19:17-22

• Notice how John recorded that Jesus carried the cross by Himself (Jn 19:17). Some people might claim this is a contradiction because of Simon of Cyrene recorded in Mt 27:32, Mk 15:21, & Lk 23:26. However, church tradition and logic clearly dictates that after Jesus fell beneath the weight, Simon was forced to help. 
• Q. What do we know about the “two others” crucified with Jesus? 
  
  • Discuss.
  • They taunted Him (Mt 27:44). 
  • One turned to Jesus in faith (Lk 23:39-41). 
  • But who were they? Some say they were simply thieves or robbers while others think they were rebels or revolutionaries. Perhaps they were ones who joined Barabbas in his insurrection. If that is the case, Jesus literally took Barabbas’s place on the cross. 
  • Regardless of their identity we know that Jesus took the punishment each and every one of us deserves while He was on the cross. 
• Q. Why do you think Pilate didn’t change the words on the sign when the Jewish leaders asked? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • Pilate knew they charged Jesus without a legitimate cause and out of envy (Matt 27:18). 
  • He was likely pointing out their hypocrisy and conspiracy to kill Jesus.
  • He was finished bending to their demands. 
• Q. Think back to watching a movie or hearing someone depict Jesus’ crucifixion in detail. What impressed you most when seeing it acted out? How would you describe the horror and shame of the crucifixion?
  
  • Give time to answer. 
• Q. Now think about wearing a cross necklace or putting a cross sticker on your car. How do you think a first-century resident would react to seeing a cross as jewelry or decoration? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • The cross symbolized death, shame, & judgement. 
  • The equivalent picture today would be the electric chair. 

Planned – John 19:23-24

• Q. Who in here likes to plan out every detail of a trip, event, etc.? Why?
  
  • Discuss.
• Q. What do these verses show us about God and His planning and sovereignty?
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • John quoted Ps 22:18 to demonstrate how Jesus’ death was a fulfillment of God’s plan from the beginning. It wasn’t a surprise or a change of plans.
  • Interestingly, Jesus’ comments on the cross also refer to Ps 22 when He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps 22:1). So even Jesus pointed to the fulfilment of prophesy through His death on the cross. 

Honored – John 19:25-27

• Q. What do you think Mary was feeling as she watched Jesus die on the cross? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • Certainly she was experiencing pain. 
  • This pain was prophesied by Simeon (Lk 2:35), yet this pain would lead to salvation.
  • Mary was not alone in her grief, she had friends and family their with her, as well as some of the disciples.
• Q. How does Jesus caring for His mother give us a practical model for honoring our parents?
  
  • Discuss
  • Jesus continued to show kindness even in His worst suffering. 
  • Under Jewish law it was the oldest son’s responsibility to provide for His mother’s care. Thus, Jesus was doing just that. 
  • Earlier in Jesus’ ministry He reprimanded the Pharisees for using the nuances of religious tradition to avoid caring for their parents (Matt 15:1-9) yet here we see Jesus set the example of putting others first even while He was dying on the cross. 

Finished – John 19:28-30 

• Q. What comes to mind when you hear the word fulfilled? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • An order was filled or completed. 
  • Satisfied or lacking nothing. 
  • John used this word several times throughout the gospel to demonstrate how the words of God  had come true (Jn 12:38; 13:18; 15:25; 17:12; 18:9, 32; 19:24, 36).
  • Interestingly, in John 19:28 we see the same english word “fulfilled” but it’s actually a different Greek word. Here the word  is the same used by Jesus when he said “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). Jesus’ last word and death on the cross was not an isolated event fulfilling a particular trait in the scriptural picture, but the perfect completion of the whole prophetic image. Everything prior was fulfilling a particular prophecy, but Jesus’ death was completing the Father’s will in its entirety. 
• Q. How does this passage prove that Jesus was in full control until the end? How does that encourage us? 
  
  • Discuss.
  • Jesus decided when His work was finished and when it was time to die. 
  • Jesus didn’t make any mistakes. He did everything necessary for our salvation. 
  • We can do nothing on our own. His death brings us life.