Friday: Crucifixion
Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Prayer Focus
- As we focus on Christ’s crucifixion, take time to repent and express your sorrow to God over your sin and guilt that required the cross (Psalm 32:3-5; Lamentations 1:20; 2:11, 18; 3:19-20).
- Thank God for not abandoning us to our sin and its wages.
- Praise Jesus for being forsaken in our place so that we could have the hope of God’s eternal grace (Psalm 32:1-2; Lamentations 3:21-24).
- Worship Jesus for becoming sin for us and enduring the fullness of God’s wrath so that we would not have to (Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- Pray for the person you are inviting. Pray that they would be aware of their need for a savior. Ask God to help them see the weight of their own sin and the need for grace. Pray that God will give you the opportunity to tell them just how much they are worth in God’s eyes. Pray for the opportunity to talk about Good Friday with them.
- Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ at SixEight, that they too would have the chance to share with those they are inviting about the significance of Good Friday.
Additional Reading:
- Gethsemane
- Matthew 26:47-56
- Mark 14:43-49
- Luke 22:47-53
- John 18:1-12
- Three Jewish Trials
- Matthew 26:57-27:1
- Mark 14:53-15:1
- Luke 22:54-70
- John 18:12-24
- Disciples Flee
- Matthew 26:56
- Mark 14:50-52
- Rooster Crows
- Matthew 26:69-75
- Mark 14:66-77
- Luke 22:56-62
- John 18:25-27
- Three Roman Trials
- Matthew 27:1-30
- Mark 15:1-20
- Luke 23:1-25
- John 18:28-19:16
- Crucifixion
- Matthew 27:33-56
- Mark 15:22-41
- Luke 23:32-49
- John 19:17-37
- Burial
- Matthew 27:57-61
- Mark 15:42-47
- Luke 23:50-56
- John 19:38-42