Women’s Bible Study - For the Joy that was set before Him

John 18-21~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lesson SixBrought to the Cross

John 19:14 - 24 Study for meeting held ____________________________

Perfect in the timing and counsel of God, Jesus comes to the cross at 9:00 on the Day of the Passover; the day the Sanhedrin did not want to kill Him. Our Savior knew of the agony that was coming, but ‘for the joy that was set before Him’, He endured.

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The Passover - John 19:14 Since the time of the Exodus out of Egypt, the Jews kept the feast of the Passover. At times it was neglected, and then at times of revival, it was renewed. At the time of Jesus, to most Jews, it had become more traditional than spiritual. Today we look at the Passover as the type of the day God ordained for the crucifixion of His Son.

Prayer: May we begin our lesson in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father to guide us as we look into His Word, and to teach us by His Holy Spirit, how Jesus was the true Passover Lamb. Read: John 19:1-16 Exodus 12:1-14 Numbers 9:1-5 Luke 22:7-13 Matt. 26:3-5&17-19 Mark 14:1-2&12-16Study: Read again John 19:141. What did God instruct Moses concerning the Passover when the feast was established?

Exodus 12:1-14

2. What did the preparation of the Passover consist of in Jesus’ day? Matt. 26:17-19 Mark 14:12-16 Luke 22:7-13

3. Explain the purpose for which the Passover lamb was slain: Exodus 12:21-28

4. Why were the Jews determined that Jesus not be killed on the Passover feast day?Matt. 26:1-5 Mark 14:1-2

5. Explain what Jesus is called in I Corinthians 5:7b, and why He is called that:

Notes: “As a sacrifice, the Passover taught the people of Israel that in themselves they were no better than the Egyptians, but were worthy of death as well as the Egyptians. It was also a sacrifice that constituted a propitiation, a covering, which is why the Lord says, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:13). By the blood of the Passover, their homes were covered against the destroyer. They were covered with the blood of the lamb as a sign that the justice of God was satisfied through a propitiatory sacrifice. The blood of the Passover lamb itself, however, had no efficacy. It was of value and efficacy only as it was typical of Christ. Notes continued

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Day One continued “Typically that lamb is Christ. This is shown from the words of John the Baptist at the time of Christ’s baptism: “Behold the Lamb of God.” This is evident, too, from the institution of the Lord’s Supper to replace the Passover. And it is evident from the words of the apostle: “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (I Cor. 5:7). Christ is the Firstborn, Who was called out of Egypt. In place of His elect, He died their death. Only His blood is so precious that it can be struck on all the doorposts of His brethren, because He is the Son of God. Hence, the Israel of God is redeemed, bought with a price, and the right of God’s people to be delivered from Egypt is established in His sacrifice… The reality to which the Passover points is that the church of Jesus Christ is called and redeemed through grace and in the blood of the Lamb in order that it may be the people of God’s covenant, separated and holy unto Him forever.”

Prof. H. C. Hoeksema in Unfolding Covenant History Vol. 3

Meditate: May we, with thankful hearts, take these words of I Corinthians 5:7b with us today, For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

Prayer: May we close in prayer, asking God to bless this study of His Word to our hearts and move us to thankfulness to Him for our salvation in the blood of Christ.

Blest be the Lord forevermore, Whose promise stands from days of yore.His word is faithful now as then; blest be His Name. Amen, Amen.

Blest be His Name. Amen, Amen. Psalter #243 st.15 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Two – Behold your king - John 19:14-15

Self-seeking in pride has been a chief sin ever since Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden. All through scripture we read of Israel serving self and not God. It is only by God’s grace that His elect are brought to repentance, self-denial and obedience. Today we will look at how the chief priests, the Sanhedrin, and Pilate all sought only to satisfy themselves, and how low that self-serving brought them.

Prayer: May we begin in prayer, asking God to bless us that we may see clearly the wickedness of mankind apart from His redeeming grace. Read: John 19:1-15 Study: Read again John 19:14-151. What hour does John explain this took place?

2. Pilate had been very busy since the Sanhedrin brought Jesus to him at dawn. From the beginning when the Jews, hypocritically, would not enter the judgment hall, Pilate had gone in and out questioning Jesus, and bringing his words to the Jews. Review Pilate’s actions and what took place each time:

John 18:29 John 18:33John 18:38 John 19:1John 19:4 John 19:9John 19:13

3. Now Pilate has done all he can, and has given up on trying to have Jesus released. What were his words to the Jews when he brought Jesus out to them?

Questions continued

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Day Two, continued4. What was the response of the mad mob?

5. Once more Pilate addresses the situation. What question does he confront them with?

6. What was their response, and why was it so hypocritical? (see Mark 12:14-17)

Notes: “So solemn is the transaction,” writes Edersheim, “that the Evangelist pauses to note once more the day - nay, the very hour, when the process commenced.” The verse to which Edersheim refers is John 19:14: “And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour.”… The hour, however, would appear to be something of a problem. John, in the verse quoted above, marks the time as being the sixth hour. Mark on the other hand, declares plainly that Jesus was nailed to the cross at the third hour (15:25). According to Jewish (as well as ordinary Roman) reckoning, the third hour of the day would be our 9 A.M… How then can John speak here of the sixth hour, which would be 12:00 noon? Edersheim’s explanation, which is perhaps as good as any, is suggested in the quotation above, namely that the sixth hour marked the commencement of the proceedings before Pilate, which concluded in Jesus being sentenced to die. To this it must be added that John is believed to have counted his hours on the basis of Roman legal reckoning, according to which the day was divided into two twelve hour periods, the one beginning at midnight, the other at noon. The sixth hour, the hour at which Christ first appeared before Pilate, would then be the time between 6 and 7 A.M.” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock “It was the preparation of the Passover! The very hour of the day is mentioned. And the triune God uses a heathen to announce the King of kings to Israel. Pilate raises his voice to the choicest of Israel, the chief priests that led the multitude: “Behold, O Israel, behold your King!” Of course, we know that Pilate was not serious about this announcement. We know that he derided the Jews whom he despised. He meant to say: “Behold this miserable Man!” And he pointed to Jesus, Who stood there bleeding, spit upon, scourged, beaten, a thoroughly miserable creature… (and) they shout with emphasis, for they shout twice: “Aron! Aron!” This little word is a form of a verb that means that you take the object away, even as you take a dead and offensive body away from your sight. Pick Him up and throw Him away in such a manner that we never see Him again! That’s the meaning… But let us watch and listen to Pilate. He asks, wonderingly, “Shall I crucify your King!”… Notice: the chief priests answered. Those chief priests were men who were permeated with the Word of God. They were the cream of the crop. They were the leaders of the chosen people of God… But look at the monsters they have become…They should have embraced Him, bathed His wounds in healing balm, and held Him aloft to God for mercy. Instead they shout, “We have no King but Caesar!” That shout, correctly interpreted, means, “We adore the devil, but hate God!” Well, him they choose. And Christ, salvation, God, they reject.” Rev. G. Vos in The Unspeakable Gift

Meditate: May we take Psalm 24:10 with us today, giving thanks for the confident assurance that our King reigns. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah Prayer: May we give thanks to God that He has revealed to us the wickedness of man - even as we are, apart from Christ’s sacrifice.

Who is this glorious King that comes to claim His rightful throne? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory, God alone. Psalter #59 st.7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Day Three – I am innocent - Matthew 27:24-25

After the mob cried out again for Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate finally realized that he could not convince them. Today we will look at what Pilate did to ‘prove’ his innocence, and how the Jews gladly took on that guilt.

Prayer: May we begin our study today, asking God to open up His Word to us that we may understand the necessary way of the rejection of Jesus, the Son of God.

Read: Matthew 27:22-25

Study: 1. What question did Pilate finally ask the Jews? How did they answer him?

2. What custom did Pilate then perform? What words did he declare? What was the meaning behind that act?

Deut. 21:1-7

3. Was it possible for Pilate to be innocent of the blood of Jesus? Review what he had said and done, and explain what he should have done.

Matt. 27:18 Mark 15:10Luke 23:20 Luke 23:22John 18:38 John 19:12

4. What grievous statement did the Jews make? Has God fulfilled that request upon the Jews?

Notes: “Pilate is at his wits’ end. Watch him! He is afraid of a tumult… He will employ a Jewish custom. He took water, washed his hands, and will now speak his last words: “I am innocent of the blood of this just person. See ye to it!”… Pilate is nevertheless guilty… All the water of the oceans cannot obliterate these facts. The eternal burden of Jesus’ blood does not fall centrally on Pilate… But the central burden belongs on this multitude and especially on the Pharisees, the elders of the people, the lawyers, the judges, the priests, the leaders of the people!… Here is the answer of the multitude when they see Pilate wash his hands in vain: “Then answered all the people, and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children!”… Awful self-condemnation! Thirty years later, on this very spot, judgment was given against 3,600 for insurrection… And all the ages God has set all nations and tribes against the Jews. They are still paying for this cry… But it is true also against all the wicked world of every age. The whole world is always arrayed against God and His anointed Son.” Rev. G. Vos in The Unspeakable Gift

Meditate: May we take Psalm 32:5 with us today, confessing our guilt and our need of redemption. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.

I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

Prayer: As we finish today, may we ask God to bless our study to our hearts, that we may see our guilt for what it is, and how we are saved only by the blood of our Savior.

While I kept guilty silence my strength was spent with grief,Thy hand was heavy on me, my soul found no relief;

but when I owned my trespass, my sin hid not from Thee,when I confessed transgressions, then Thou forgavest me. Psalter #83 st.2

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Day Four - Delivered over to be crucified - John 19:16

After washing his hands in ‘innocence’, Pilate gave Jesus over to the violent mob to be crucified. Today we will look at Pilate’s selfish weakness in giving Jesus over to the Jews.

Prayer: May we begin by asking God to lead us in our study, that we may see His eternal purpose fulfilled through the wickedness of unregenerate man.

Read: Matthew 27:26 Mark 15:15 Luke 23:24-25 John 19:16

Study: 1. According to Mark 15:15, why did Pilate release Barabbas unto the Jews, and deliver Jesus to them?

2. Follow Pilate’s words concerning Jesus: Luke 23:4 & 14-16John 18:38John 19:4 & 6

3. How do those words of Pilate make him all the more guilty?

4.. How does Luke 23:24 show that there is guilt on Pilate’s part?

5. How does Luke 23:25 show the Jews’ guilt?

Notes: “‘Give us Barabbas.’ In these words you have the pre-advice of the chief priests and the elders. They scurried through the multitude, and whispered, later shouted, this devilish advice in the ears of their charges: the church of Jehovah. Yes, He came to His own, and His own received Him not. And that is merely negative speech. Positively they took Him and cast Him off. They judged Him worthy of death. The whole multitude cried, “Give us Barabbas!” And that is tantamount to saying, “Give us a murderer, rather than the melody of heaven, the sweetness of God’s heart!” That cry, dear reader, has sounded through all the ages, and in all climes. And that cry shall sound among men until the very last moment. Man will always maintain himself in all his filth and corruption. At the same time he will spit upon the living God, even as they spit upon Jesus when it was in their power to do so. Sinful man delights especially in trampling upon the blood of the Son of God and bringing Him to an open shame. Look again at Jesus… If your look is sharp enough and penetrating enough, you will see yourself with all God’s elect there. But then in your sin, guilt, corruption, and death.” Rev. G. Vos in The Unspeakable Gift

M editate : May we take Psalm 119:125 with us today, always seeking God’s wisdom that we may walk in true obedience. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Prayer: May we close our study in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for revealing to us the wickedness of man, and our own sin, and ask that He will give us the strength to turn and walk in obedience and love to Him.

I am Thine, O give me wisdom, make me know Thy truth, I pray;Sinners have despised Thy statutes; now, O Lord, Thy power display.

Lord, I love Thy good commandments and esteem them more than gold;All Thy precepts are most righteous; hating sin, to these I hold. Psalter #336 st.2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Day Five – What will you do with Jesus - John 12:31

We have looked at, and condemned the way the Sanhedrin delivered Jesus to Pilate, how Pilate treated Jesus, and how sinful the Jews were in their treatment of Him. Today we will take time to look closely at the question: “What will you do with Jesus?”Prayer: As we look at God’s Word to learn what Jesus endured at the hands of wicked men, may we ask God to help us examine ourselves and our daily lives before His face.

Read: Malachi 3:1-3 Luke 2:34-35 Col. 2:15 Luke 23:24-25 John 18:40 Mark 15:7-8 Study: “The cross and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ are the judgment of this world. In the trial of the Savior the world confronts the question: what shall we do with the Son of God? And its answer is: we shall kill Him! The world of fallen man is condemned, and its prince is cast out through the judgment of the cross.” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey Rev. H. Hoeksema, in this book, draws our attention to the truth that it was not truly Jesus, but others who were on trial that day. By several quotes from When I Survey, we will look at how that is true of the whole world: the church, the political world, and the people.

A. The Church: “The first and chief defendant that appears before the tribunal of the Most High to be examined and judged is the Church, the House of God! It occupies a chief position, it plays a leading part in the crucifixion of the Son of God. Judgment must needs begin at the House of God… The judgment of the world, therefore, through the cross of Christ must begin at the Church, in order that God’s Church in Christ may be justified and saved, while man’s Church is condemned and destroyed… Nor is there a more wicked, abominable, hypocritical, self-righteous, self-complacent, outwardly pious and inwardly corrupt part of the world whose prince is the devil than that false, apostate church, that wicked adulteress that denies that Jesus is the Christ… That world, that apostate Church was, at the time of Jesus, represented by the leaders of the Jews, particularly the Jewish council, whose president was the high priest. And it is these leaders of the Jews that lay their hands on Jesus, and that, in spite of themselves, are compelled to stand in judgment, and to give a clear answer to the question: “What will ye do with the Christ, the Son of God?”… The matter must be definitely settled. In God’s courtroom the Sanhedrin must give a clear and definite answer to God’s question: what think ye of the Christ? What will ye do with Him…The matter may not be left in doubt, for the Sanhedrin represents the false church of all ages. The blood of all the prophets must be on their head… they reject the Christ of God! That is their condemnation. For they speak the language and do the work of Antichrist! He that denies, not that a certain Christ will come, but that Jesus is the Christ, is moved by the spirit of Antichrist… Because Jesus is the Christ they condemn Him to death! God’s question was clearly answered. And they were condemned! “Now is the condemnation of the world!” The Church rejects the Son of God! Judgment must needs begin at the house of God!”

B. The political world-power “Another important and mighty representative of the evil world of fallen man is the State, the

political world-power in the hands and under the dominion of the man of sin… (The State as such was instituted by God). But even as this power of the government is a mighty power for good as long as it functions according to the will of God, so it becomes a tremendous instrument of corruption under the influence and dominion of sin. And it is usually from this viewpoint that the Bible pictures the political world-power… It becomes a power of oppression, boasting of its own strength, usurping all authority, lording it over all.. Christ, the anointed King over all, also was brought before the tribunal of the world-power, as it then existed in the mighty Roman empire, and as, in Jerusalem, in the year 33 A.D., it was represented by Pilate, the Roman governor… and when Christ stands before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, it is the world-power that is called to express its judgment of Jesus, and to answer the question as it was put by Pilate himself: “What shall I do then with Jesus, Who is called the Christ?” Notes cont.Day Five continued “And in order to give a clear answer to this searching question, he must clearly see,

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and openly declare that Jesus is a righteous Man… And this he is compelled to do… to the very end of the trial this remains his official sentence as judge, as he openly declares before the Jews by washing his hands of the entire case!.. “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” This is always the question. It is the question that cannot be avoided…It must have an answer… Here you cannot compromise!…

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they desired, and “he delivered Jesus to their will.” The world-power had been tried, exposed, found wanting, condemned!… The answer is clear: Jesus the Christ is righteous but if He stands in the way of the selfish ambition of the world-power, He must be killed! Crucify the Innocent!”

C. The people “The multitude gathered before the Praetorium was momentarily increasing. And well may we

surmise that on this day of the feast they represented the Jewish people from all over the land… They, the people themselves, must be brought before the bar of God’s justice in this hour of the judgment of this world. They, too must give an answer to the question: “what will ye do with Jesus that is called Christ?” … They must be left without excuse… And so, they are drawn irresistibly to the Praetorium on that Passover morning, not only to be eye-witnesses of the trial, but, as is evident from Mark 15:8, also to demand of the Roman governor that some prisoner should be released unto them… They did know that Barabbas was a criminal, and they also knew that the Lord was the Holy One and Just. Pilate asked the people: Will ye that I release unto you the king of the Jews?… It was a choice between the criminal and the Christ, between the murderer and their King! And very definite is their choice: the murderer they receive in their midst and take to their bosom, but Jesus they cast out to be crucified!… And their choice represents the choice of the whole world apart from grace, the will of the natural man! Always, when the question concerning Jesus that is called Christ is submitted to a vote of the people, to be decided by the will of the world, the answer must be: Give us Barabbas, and let Jesus be crucified!… Sin is forever exposed to be sin through the cross of Jesus that is called the Christ! Now is the judgment of this world!”

Notes: “And what shall you, what shall I, do with Jesus? You either crucify Him, or you are crucified with Him through His grace! It is either - or. Nothing less, nothing else you can do with Jesus which is called Christ!” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey

Meditate: May we take John 1:11-12 with us today, rejoicing that He has given us grace to believe on Him.He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him,

to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.Prayer: May we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, and the grace to believe on Him.

Thou Holy One of Israel, to Thee sweet songs I raise; The soul Thou hast redeemed from death shall give Thee joyful praise. Psalter #192 st.5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Six –

Mocked and spit upon - Mark 15:20 We have looked at the scourging of Jesus when we studied John 19:1. The other gospels mention it now just before Pilate delivers Jesus up to the Jews to be crucified. Today we take another look at the physical sufferings Jesus had to endure.

Prayer: May we begin our look into Jesus’ suffering, in prayer to God, that He will enlighten us on what His Son suffered for our sins.

Read: Matthew 27:26-31 Mark 15:16-20 John 19:16

Day Six, cont.Day Six continued

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Study: 1. Matthew and Mark speak of the ‘whole band’ of soldiers being gathered. A. How many soldiers made up a ‘band’? B. What did the ‘whole band’ do to Jesus first? Matt. 27:28

C. Considering the scourging He had just received, what would He experience when they tore His clothes off of His bloody back? And again when they put the purple robe on Him, and again took that robe off and once again put his own clothes over His open wounds? 2. How would their mockery afflict Jesus?

3. What would explain the shameless, riotous wickedness these soldiers enjoyed?

4. To the soldiers and the crowd, Jesus was silent, and passive, and beaten. They gave Him a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns, and a reed in His right hand; they bowed the knee before Him, and said: Hail, King of the Jews! They spit upon Him, and smote Him on the head with the reed. What comfort do we have in that difficult truth? Isaiah 53:5 Was Jesus at that time in control?

Notes: “That appearance of a mock-king which the soldiers created for the Royal Sufferer belongs to fallen man, the rebel-king, who proposes to rule over all things in the service of sin and of the prince of this world! And the Lord assumes this appearance of mock royalty! For, you understand, of course, that no one could have imposed this form of mockery and reproach upon Him against His will. Had He not humbled Himself, no man could thus have humiliated Him. Had He refused to receive that crown of thorns, no man could have pressed it upon His brow…. He willingly submitted to the cruel jests of the soldiers, knowing that thus it was the Father’s will. Had He not been sent into the likeness of sinful flesh, in order that in that likeness He might suffer the wrath of God, and satisfy the justice of God against sin for us? In the way of this suffering He must attain to His Messianic glory, and receive His kingdom from the Father. He does not rebel. He knows that it is God that will justify Him. He trusts that in the way of His deepest humiliation He will attain to highest glory for Himself and for His own.” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey

Meditate: May we meditate today on Isaiah 53:5 today, keeping in mind what Christ has done for us.But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities;

the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.

Prayer: May we close in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father Who blesses us with unmeasured blessings in Christ.

He is reproached and spoiled of all, His enemies upon Him fall;His beauty is consumed away, forgotten is His kingly sway,

forgotten is His kingly sway. Psalter #243 st. 11~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Seven - They took Jesus, and led him away - John 19:16

The soldiers finished their mocking. In God’s timing, they now take Jesus to Golgotha to be crucified.Today we look at the way to Golgotha and the cross.

Prayer: As we begin our study may we ask God to lead us to see the willingness of His only begotten Son to go bear the wrath of His Father. Day Seven cont.Day Seven continued

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Read: Matt. 27:31-32 Mark 15:20-21 Luke 23:26 John 19:16-17

Study: 1. And he bearing his cross went forth… The so-called trial was finished, and Pilate delivered Jesus to be led away. Explain what part of the cross the convicted person had to carry:

2. Three of the gospels tell us of another who also carried Jesus’ cross: a. According to Luke 23:26, who carried the cross after Jesus? b. Do we read of him doing that willingly?

Matthew 27:32 Mark 15:21 Luke 23:26 c. Do we know anything more about him? d. Do we know anything from scripture about his sons listed here?

4. What place does Pilate’s name hold in our day, in many churches, world-wide?Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 15 Q&A #38

5. What took place in the act of crucifixion? (There are different methods written of by different historians.)

Notes: “Jesus must be condemned by the temporal judge. It was therefore, not according to the counsels of men, but according to God’s own program of Jesus’ suffering, and by His special direction, that Christ appeared before Pontius Pilate to be tried and condemned by him. But why must He be tried by the worldly judge? And what is the particular significance of this phase of the suffering of our Lord? The Catechism answers: “That he, being innocent, and yet condemned by the temporal judge, might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God to which we were exposed.” This answer of the Catechism may simply be understood as meaning that while He was innocently condemned to, and suffered death, He obtained for us freedom from condemnation. God, Who presides over ordinary judgments, used the judgment of Pilate, first, to establish Christ’s innocence and perfect righteousness publicly and officially; and secondly, to condemn the innocent One to the death of the cross; that He might bear the sins of His people; and that our Lord did not rebel against this (as far as man’s judgment was concerned) unrighteous condemnation, but voluntarily bowed under it, in order that He might bear the wrath of God on the cross.”

Rev. H. Hoeksema in the SB article: Under Pontius Pilate

Though there are other definitions of what took place at a crucifixion, here are two: “It was customary for the condemned man to carry his own cross from the flogging post to the site of crucifixion outside the city walls…Since the weight of the entire cross was probably well over 300 pounds, only the crossbar was carried. Weighing 75-125 pounds, the crossbar was placed across the nape of the victim’s neck and balanced along both shoulders. The processional to the site of crucifixion was led by a complete Roman military guard, headed by a centurion. One of the soldiers carried a sign on which the condemned man’s name and crime were displayed. Later the sign would be attached to the top of the cross. The Roman guard would not leave the victim until they were sure of his death.” Paraphrased from the Web “The punishment (of the cross) was invented to make death as painful and as lingering as the power of human endurance. First, the upright wood was planted in the ground. It was not high, and probably the feet of the Sufferer were not above one or two feet from the ground. Thus could the communication described in the Gospels take place between Him and others; thus, also, might His Sacred Lips be moistened with the sponge attached to a short stalk of hyssop. Next, the transverse wood was placed on the ground, and the Sufferer laid on it, when His arms were extended, drawn up, and bound to it. Notes cont. Day Seven continued “Then a strong, sharp nail was driven, first in the right, then into the left hand.

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Next the Sufferer was drawn up…and the transverse was bound or nailed to the upright. Lastly the feet were extended,..and nailed to the cross. And so might the crucified hang for hours, even days, in the unutterable anguish of suffering, till consciousness at last failed.”

Edersheim in The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Meditate: May we take Matthew 20:18-19 with us today, remembering that Jesus knew ahead, and told His disciples that He would be crucified. He knew what was coming.

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priestsand unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock,

and to scourge, and to crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again.

Prayer: May we finish our study in thanksgiving to God for showing us His eternal counsel to give His Son to bear our sins, and give us life everlasting in His resurrection.

Then, O my God, I come, I come, thy purpose to fulfill; Thy law is written in my heart, ‘tis joy to do thy will. Psalter #109 st. 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Eight –

Crucifixion - The death of the cross Before we study the crucifixion of our Savior, we will look at the necessity and meaning of the cross so that we can be ever conscious of what He has done for us as we continue our study. Today we look at God’s inspired Word concerning our need for salvation and Christ’s perfect provision.

Prayer: As we begin our study may we ask God to lead us to see the willingness of His only begotten Son to place Himself under the wrath of His Father - for us. Read Galatians 3:10-14Study:1. How did God create man? Eph. 4:23-24 Col. 3:10

2. Why did God create man? Rev. 4:11

3. How am I guilty in Adam’s guilt? Romans 5:12

4. Can I obey God? Romans 3:10-12

5. How did Christ Jesus save me? Gal. 3:13

How could Christ Jesus save me? John 1:14 Heb. 4:15 II Cor. 5:21

6. When did God determine Christ’s death for me? Acts. 2:22-23

When was Jesus ‘slain’ for me? Rev. 13:8

7. Why could I be saved only by Christ’s crucifixion? Deut. 21:23

8. What is accomplished for me at the cross? Col. 1:20-22

9. How am I then to live? Hebrews 12:1-3 Day Eight cont.Day Eight continued

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Notes: “There is one focal point in time; there is one Man among the billions; there is one place in the Universe; there is one event in the affairs of men, angels, and devils that stands out, that is most important, that draws really all the attention. That one point of time, that one affair, that one Man, that one place, that one event stands in the center of all things. Such it was in Anno Domini 33.

In order to make you feel the real terror of that most important place of the whole Universe, I will characterize it as follows: At Golgotha, a little without the camp, hard by Jerusalem you see and hear the worst of hell! It was the worst hell, because a Man suffered there all the individual hells of billions of people. What would have come on each head individually, a billion times multiplied, came upon His dear Head alone… Now attend to this: Jesus had to suffer everlasting punishment, everlasting hell on earth, everlasting death for His sheep. But I hear you say: But Jesus arose the third day! And He lived only 33 ½ years! How do you explain that? Then here is the answer: Jesus suffered an eternity of horrors through the concentration of all the fury of God’s eternal wrath in the short space of time. Again, concentration. Do you not see that Jesus’ hell is worse than any other hell, even of Beelzebub?

But now look once more at Jesus! He is the Holy One of Israel! He is Innocence Himself! There is absolutely no guilt in Him! Can you imagine what suffering Jesus underwent? His soul and body and spirit fitted in heaven and in the bosom of God. But He found Himself in a very special hell! Oh yes, we begin to understand His terrible cry at the ninth hour! “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

But why? What is the sense of all this horror! When you stand before the cross of Jesus, and when it grows very dark around that cross, and when your cheeks blanch at the cry of the Lamb of God, I ask you to look above that cross and beyond that cross. If you have the faith of God, and know the Holy Scriptures, then you will hear the sound of a beautiful melody: it is Jehovah singing His eternal song of the covenant. And here is one of the strains: “This cross and this suffering Jesus is the love of My Heart!” God commendeth His love towards us in that Christ died for us!.. He commendeth His love towards us. It means that He writes it in italics. It means that He underscores that love. It means that He places the verb to love in quotation marks. God loves you and me so much that He went to hell for us, so that you and I might go to heaven!” Amen. Rev. G. Vos in The Unspeakable Gift

Meditate: May we take Zephaniah 3:17 with us today rejoicing in God’s love over us.The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;

he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Prayer: May we humbly draw near to our Heavenly Father in thanksgiving for the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world for us.

Needy and sorrowful, to Thee I cry; let Thy salvation set my soul in high;Then I will sing and praise Thy holy Name, my thankful song Thy mercy shall proclaim.

Psalter #187 st. 2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Nine - Golgotha - John 19:17

The soldiers and criminals and the crowds traveled a short distance (approximately one-third of a mile) from Pilate’s palace to a place outside of the city, bringing Jesus and the others to Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion, at approximately 9:00 in the morning.

Today we take a first look at the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Prayer: May we ask God to enlighten us to see the darkness and sorrow of Golgotha.

Read: Matt 27:33-34 Mark 15:22-23 Luke 23:32-33a John 19:17b

Day Nine cont.Day Nine continued

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Study:1. Golgotha was outside of the city walls. What importance did this hold in the crucifixion?

Leviticus 16:27 Isaiah 53:6 Hebrews 13:11-12

2. What does that mean for us? What comfort is that to us?

3. Explain what ‘the place of the skull’ meant.

4. Why would the soldiers give those on the crosses wine mingled with myrrh (vinegar mingled with gall)?

5. Why would Jesus refuse this drink after He tasted it?

Notes: “‘Without the camp’. That place, incidentally, by custom of both Jew and Roman, was outside the city. This detail figures importantly in the significance of the death of Christ, for, as the fulfillment of Old Testament type and shadow, it was necessary that Jesus die outside the city walls. We think particularly of the animals sacrificed on the Day of Atonement. They were, in a figure, laden with the sins of the people; and their bodies, according to Leviticus 16:27, were to be burned “without the camp.” That that would find its fulfillment in the Messiah was plain already from Old Testament prophecy. Concerning the Christ, Isaiah had said that “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (53:6).” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock

“There was nothing lacking in our redemption price. It was the full price, and it was of the right kind. It was the blood of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the earth… The Lamb of God is He. He is worthy to lift up our sins and bear them away in His mighty shoulders outside the camp of Israel, so that they are no more. And we sing: Thank God! My sins are gone.” Rev. G. Lubbers in the SB article: Exposition of I Peter 1:18, 19

Meditate: May we take I Peter 1:18-19 with us today rejoicing in the knowledge that all of our salvation is in Christ, our sacrificial Lamb.Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain

conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Prayer: May we humbly draw near to our Heavenly Father in thanksgiving for our salvation in the blood of Christ.

As heaven is high above the earth, so great His mercy proves; As far from us as east from west He all our sin removes. Psalter #277 st. 8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Ten –

And Jesus in the midst - John 19:18 Between two murderers, Jesus hung on a cross; the promised Messiah rejected and despised, watching His Father’s prophecy concerning Him being fulfilled. Today we look at the position of Jesus’ cross; and what the soldiers did with His clothing. Prayer: May we begin our lesson today asking God to open up to us the wonder of His Word being unified. Read: John 19:18 Mark 15:24 Matt. 27:35-36 Luke 23:33

Isaiah 53:12 Luke 22:37 Psalm 22:18 Day Ten cont.

Day Ten continued

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Study: 1. Can you think of a reason why Jesus would be crucified on the center cross?

2. Was it a normal thing at crucifixions that the possessions of the crucified are taken by the soldiers?

3. We read that there was one article of clothing that was too good to cut up. The soldiers thought they decided to cast lots for it, in order to keep it whole. What was the true reason they cast lots for it? Could they have done anything other than that?

4. Agonizing with pain in His hands and feet, and hardly able to exhale, Jesus watched the soldiers. Why could that perhaps be a comfort to Him? 5. We believe according to Revelation 13:8, that in God’s counsel, Jesus was the Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world. Why do you think God prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus’ crucifixion, such a ‘small’ thing as the soldiers casting lots for His garments?

Notes: “On Golgotha God reveals Himself as the One who keeps His covenant and maintains it forever. He reveals Himself as the God whose love is ever first, and completely sovereign, a fire that can never be quenched. Three crosses, not one, or two, but three crosses must serve the symbolism of the speech of God to us from Calvary… And Jesus in the midst! Jesus must not be crucified either to the right or to the left but in the very center of the two malefactors. Not only does the speech of God thus proclaim loudly that He was reckoned with the transgressors, and that He bears the curse of the world before the face of God, but also does this position plainly indicate that the cross of Christ makes separation in the world of sin and death. Indeed, does the Christ of God bear the curse of the world, yet not for all in that world. The cross speaks of divine, sovereign good pleasure, of gracious election, but also of righteous reprobation: on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey

Meditate: May we take Isaiah 53:12b with us today, and remember God’s eternal decree of Christ’s death. May we see how God inspired Isaiah to write these words in the past tense, showing us Jesus’ death was ordained in God’s counsel long before Pilate delivered Him over to the Jews.

And he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Prayer: May we close today’s study by thanking God for His Word and the perfect fulfillment of His glorious will.

None can stand unscathed and blameless in Thy judgment just,But the contrite in Thy mercy humbly trust. Psalter #365 st.2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Eleven –

Father, forgive them - Luke 23:34a We have recorded in the scriptures, seven times that Jesus spoke from the cross. From 9:00 until noon, he spoke three ‘words’. All of these were to or for others. Today we will look at the first recorded ‘word’ of Jesus from the cross. Not all of the seven cross words are recorded in the Gospel of John, but we will take a day to study each of them as they come in order.

Prayer: May we begin today’s lesson by asking God to reveal to us the meaning of these words of Jesus.

Read: Luke 23: 32-38 John 17:9 Day Eleven cont.

Day Eleven continued

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Study: We will simply try to explain the few words of this text for our questions today, remembering that the cross Jesus hung on was not lifted up high above the passersby, but only a few feet off the ground and that all could hear Him as He spoke, and every Word of His was a divine witness to all who heard.

1. Who did Jesus address in this plea?

2. What was His request? What was He asking for when He prayed: “Forgive”?

3. Who was Jesus praying for - who did He mean by ‘them’?

4. What did He mean, that they didn’t know what they were doing?

Notes: “The Lord here strictly prays for forgiveness. He implores the Father, first of all, that the sin of the moment, which they committed in crucifying the Son of God, may be remitted unto them. But you understand, that this implies a petition for the forgiveness of all sins! Before God we are either forgiven or not forgiven, we are either righteous or unrighteous. We either have complete forgiveness of all our sins, or we have no forgiveness at all. But, secondly, in the forgiveness of this one sin, this greatest of all sins, the principal sin, in which all the corruption of our depraved nature manifests itself, the forgiveness of all sin is implied. If this one sin of the crucifixion of the Son of God can be forgiven all sin is forever blotted out; if not, there is no forgiveness of any sin. And so the Lord prays at this important and crucial moment… The intercessory prayer of our merciful High Priest! But the question is, for whom is the Lord here interceding?. If you ask this question with reference to the class of people, or kind of sinners for which Jesus interceded on the cross, the answer must be: for all, without distinction. All your sins are included in this intercession of our Savior, and His prayer is always heard. You may hear the Word of God, through this intercession of the Lord: “Thy sins are forgiven thee!” On the other hand, however, the scope of this intercession is strictly limited to those that repent and believe, and, therefore, to the elect… the scope of this intercessory prayer cannot be wider than that of His atoning blood. And He gave His life for His sheep, and they are those that were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.

It is to be carefully determined just what it was that they did not know. It is evident that they cannot have been ignorant of the fact that they committed a heinous sin. Had not the Jews been witness of His mighty works, and had He not openly taught, in their synagogues, in the temple, and on the streets of their cities, the things of the kingdom of heaven?… O, one and all they were conscious of their guilt of shedding innocent blood! But there was, indeed, an element of ignorance in what they committed. They did not understand that He, Whom they crucified, was shedding the blood of atonement. They did not discern the blood of the Lamb that carries away the sin of the world. Hence, they did not knowingly commit the sin of counting the blood of the new covenant an ungodly thing, and of doing despite unto the Spirit of grace. If that had been the case, there would have remained no sacrifice for their sins. (Heb. 10:26-27).

And so, the words in Jesus’ prayer “for they know not what they do,” are not added as a ground for forgiveness, for this can only be found in His perfect sacrifice: but rather as the ground of the forgivableness of their sin.” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey Meditate: May we meditate on Psalm 32:1 today keeping in our hearts the wonder of God’s great undeserved mercy to us.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Prayer: May we close our study in prayer of thanks to God and ask Him to so work in our hearts that we may live in humility, knowing our dependence on His grace. Day Eleven cont.

Day Eleven continued14

How blest is he whose trespass hath freely been forgiv’n, whose sin is wholly covered before the sight of heav’n.

Blest he to whom Jehovah imputeth not his sin, who hath a guileless spirit, whose heart is true within. Psalter #83 st.1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Twelve –

What I have written, I have written - John 19:22 According to commentators, each malefactor who was crucified had a sign describing his crime - for what cause he was being crucified. Sometimes he carried that sign around his neck while going to the site of the crucifixion, and usually it was hung over the cross for all to see the crime of which he was guilty. Today we look at the sign Pilate inscribed to be hung over Jesus’ cross - describing His ‘crime’ - the reason for which He was being crucified.

Prayer: May we begin today by asking God to lead us through this part of His Word, instilling in us a greater knowledge of Jesus as King.

Read: Matthew 27:36-37 Mark 15:26 Luke 23:38 John 19:19-22

Study: 1. What did Pilate have written on the sign to be hung over Jesus on His cross?

2. According to John 19:20, who read the sign?

3. Why would Pilate have the sign written in these three languages?

4. Why didn’t the chief priests like what the sign said? How did they want it changed?

Can you see how this made the chief priests guilty again of rejecting their Messiah?

5. What was Pilate’s response?

Notes: “On their superscriptions one could only read their crimes, the ground of the condemnation, together with their names. Cursed were they as transgressors of the law! But, behold, that cross in the midst of the two malefactors bears an entirely different superscription. God Himself had directed Pilate’s heart and hand to write: “Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.” And however strenuously the hostile Jews, as was to be expected, protested against this indication of the ground of His condemnation; and however they insisted that there should be added to this superscription that He had only claimed to be the King of the Jews, Pilate maintained his own superscription: “What I have written I have written.”

Crowds from all over the world, Jews and proselytes, would come and congregate in the holy city, and many would pass the scene on the Hill of the Skull. Hence, the superscription was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, that all might have an opportunity to read. Thus the crucified Lord, the Royal Sufferer, became a universal, public spectacle, and all would explain Pilate’s cross-title in their own light. Hebrew was the language of the Church, of religion, and the Jew, looking at that cross and its superscription would hate and despise the Nazarene as an imposter, one who falsely pretended to be the Messiah but was finally exposed as a liar, and justly put to death as a blasphemer. Latin was the language of the world-power, and the Roman would look with contempt on such a king, without power, and without glory! And Greek was the vehicle of human philosophy, of the wisdom of the world. And the wise man of the world would consider that cross and its superscription mere foolishness, and its victim a poor fool that reaped the reward of His folly. Notes cont.Day Twelve continued “The King of the Jews! Thus the superscription above the cross of Jesus ends.

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But who else is the King of the Jews than the Messiah, the Christ of God, the One that was anointed, appointed of God and qualified by His Spirit to overcome the powers of darkness and destroy them forever;… and who should lead the children of the kingdom given Him of the Father from before the foundation of the world, into the everlasting glory of God’s eternal covenant?”

Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey

Meditate: May we take Psalm 2:6-7 with us today and take comfort in believing that our King reigns.Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree:

the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Prayer: May we close our study in prayer, asking God to instill in our hearts the assurance that whatever it may look like to us in these last times of wickedness; our Savior and King reigns over all.

By God’s decree His Son receives the nations for His heritage; The conqu’ring Christ supreme shall reign as King of kings, from age to age. Psalter #4 st.3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Thirteen –

Destroy this temple - Matt. 27:39-40 Whether they heard it themselves, or the Sanhedrin had told them; these passersby knew that Jesus had spoken of the temple. But they misused what Jesus had said, and twisted it to their own purpose. Today we look at how they twist the words of Christ to their own destruction.

Prayer: Before we look at this portion of God’s Word, may we ask Him to guide us by His Spirit, that we may learn the rich blessing for us in these true words of Christ. Read: Matt. 27:39-40 Psalm 22:1-14 John 10:22-30

Study: 1. Explain what the people were doing when the text says that “they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads”.

2. What did the people claim Jesus had said? (They, in their mockery, even put it in the past tense, as if He had done it already.)

3. So what did they tell Him to do?

4. They also stated mockingly: “If thou art the Son of God” He had told the people He was the Son of God (John 10:22-30). Why didn’t they believe?

5. Read John 2:18-22 and explain what Jesus had said about the temple, and what He meant:

6. Consider the role Satan played in this attack on Jesus:

Notes: “Historical circumstances, no doubt, were such that he (David) was able to sing these woeful lines with application to himself. Yet, in principle, he sang because the Root of David was in him. Of the Root he was, in the midst of all his own suffering and reproach, a prefiguration. And the Spirit of that Root whose shadow he was, urged him from within to bewail His shame and suffering. Now here on Golgotha, the full reality of the implication of the twenty-second psalm is revealed. The Root of David has come… Now He is delivered into the hands of sinners and numbered with the transgressors. Notes cont.Day Thirteen continued “‘Ha! Thou that destroyest the temple! Save thyself! Come down from the

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cross! If thou be the Son of God!’… With this perversion of the truth they seek, with their wicked leaders, to justify the crucifixion of the Innocent! A lie it was in a double sense. For first, the Lord had never said, as they imply, that He would destroy the temple. He said that He would rebuild it if they destroyed it….And secondly, He had not spoken of the temple on Mount Zion, but of His body, of Himself, for He was the real temple of God. The essence of the temple, God dwelling with us, was realized with and in Him… Was He not rebuilding that temple even then and they did not know it? Indeed, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. Here, on the accursed tree of Calvary, the foundation is laid for the new and everlasting temple, even while they are destroying the old temple in His flesh, but they realize neither that they themselves are destroying the old house, nor that He is already laying the groundwork for the new. Do not mistake their sarcasm! When they repeat the words of the Tempter in the wilderness and on the pinnacle of the temple: “If thou be the Son of God,” they mean that He is not! With the devil it had been an appeal to what the Tempter knew Jesus is: the Son of God. A bold challenge it had been, that He might reveal the power of His Godhead by choosing the way of disobedience to the Father. And who can doubt that behind the jeers of this furious mob of mockers, railing at the Man of Sorrows, there is still the same Tempter who personally attacked the Servant of Jehovah in the wilderness, still taunting him to forsake the cross, to leave the terrible way of obedience in suffering and come down to show His power?…But they do not intend to make Him reveal His power, but to declare that He has none… He does not come down because He cannot come down; and because He cannot come down He is not the Son of God! Thus runs the devilish logic of their bitter jibe! How terrible is the darkness of sin!

You realize that it is another power than the might of men and the wicked forces of darkness that keeps this Man of Sorrows on the bloody tree; that there is another reason, than that which is expressed in the sarcasm of these superficial passersby that retrains Him from descending now upon His mockers. The reason is infinite, unfathomable love, the love of God to His own; the love of the Savior to the Father who sent Him and to the people who were given Him.”

Rev. H. Hoeksema in the SB article: Thou that Destroyeth the Temple!

Meditate: May we meditate on Psalm 22:7 today, remembering the mockery Jesus willingly endured.All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

He trusted on the LORD  that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Prayer: May we close our study in great thankfulness to our God for the gift of redemption through the death of His only Begotten Son.

My words a cause for scorn they make, the lip they curl, the head they shake,And, mocking, bid me trust the Lord till He salvation shall afford.

Unnumbered foes would do me wrong, they press about me, fierce and strong,Like beasts of prey their rage they vent,

My courage fails, my strength is spent. Psalter # 47 st. 4&7~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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