LoginHome » Ministers' resources » Worship Resources » Studies » Lenten studies 2005
Seven words from the cross
A series of reflections for Lent
By Doug Rogers
Why do a Lenten study?
Lent is a time of remembering
Since the fourth century the six weeks prior to Easter were set aside as a special time of prayer and fasting. As we spend time in reflection over this period our minds go to what Jesus did, not just in that last week, but also in his life and his actions toward others. This in turn may challenge our lives and our attitudes to those around us.
Lent is a time of preparation
Above all Lent prepares us for the coming of Easter that we may truly enter into the spirit of that festival in grief for the suffering of Christ, in joy for the message of new life, and in response to the command to serve Christ in the World.
Lent is a time of commitment
It gives us time to reflect on our needs and hence all that we have. There has come to be a custom of "giving up for Lent". But fasting is less about giving up than seeking God’s will and may be a call to "take up for Lent" in new service.
About this series
For many centuries the Church has focused on the last recorded words of Jesus. There are services centred around them and a number of composers have set them to music as Easter reflections. When you combine the words from the four Gospels there are seven last sayings. As we look at these words they encompass so much of his ministry and way of life. There are words of compassion for others, words of forgiveness, and words that show his own humanity. As we reflect on them we can draw from Christ's love and build on our own humanity. You may like to place a symbol on a table in front of you or at the centre of the group. This may be as simple as a cross or you may use some token appropriate to the specific study.
Study 1
Introduction
And when he was raised from death, his disciples remembered what he had told them. Then they believed the Scriptures and the words of Jesus.
John 2:22
It is interesting that the Gospels in telling their Life of Christ give very little about his first thirty years, Mark has none and focuses so heavily on the last week of his life. As Jesus is led out to the cross his life has reached its climax, many would say its purpose.
The cross remains a central symbol of the Christian Church. Most Churches have one or more as a focus for our worship.
How important is the cross for you?
There on the cross in the midst of his suffering he speaks his last words.
Many times it is the last words that stick in our minds. The last time we saw someone or their last words before they die. We even have a saying “famous last words” meaning that those words could be proved true.
Do you know of some famous last words or have experiences where the last words of someone hold particular significance?
What are some of the words of Jesus, spoken throughout his life, that are meaningful for you?
1st Word— My God why have you gone
Then about that time Jesus shouted, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"
Matthew 27:46
Jesus’ first word is one of despair. Why has God deserted him at this crucial time?
Read Matthew 27:45-47
- Christ’s call is one from the heart. Where is God?
- Has there been a time when you felt let down and deserted?
- Can you identify times when God seems to have abandoned you?
While the cry was real it may have been that Christ was reciting a Psalm. Many as they face death ask for a Psalm to be read e.g. the 23rd. For a Jew it would be natural to recite a Psalm.
Read Psalm 22:1-8
- What was happening to the Psalmist
- How does it compare with Jesus’ experience?
Read Psalm 22:22-26
- What is the Psalmist saying now?
- How can such tragedy turn into praise?
A desperate feeling of being deserted is not the last word. Jesus has more to say to us.
Study 2
Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.
Matthew 6:12
What is forgiveness?
The Greek word for forgiveness is aphesis. It has the meaning to let go or leave behind. True forgiveness puts the issue behind one. We leave it behind. True forgiveness never holds a thing over someone as blackmail. It has gone - it is no more.
Can you think of a time when you’ve experienced that sort of forgiveness?
But forgiveness is also part of relationship. Sometimes forgiveness can only follow change in the other person. Indeed one writer has said as Christians we must be caring enough not to forgive. In other words our love for the other will not allow them to get away with a cheap forgiveness without challenge to their behaviour.
Do you think we can forget as we forgive?
2nd Word - Father forgive
"Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing."
Luke 23:34
Read Luke 23:32-37
Jesus in pain lifts his eyes and asks forgiveness on all those who brought this about.
- Why does Jesus say, “they don’t know what they’re doing”?
- How hard is it to think of others when we are suffering?
Jesus forgives but Christians have continued to blame the Jews.
- How can we justify such feelings?
Many in the crowd would be strangers to Jesus and his followers.
- Have you been hurt by someone who does not know what they are doing?
- What are some of the ways: callousness – thoughtlessness – not understanding?
3rd Word - I promise … this day in Paradise
"Remember me when you come into power!" Jesus replied, "I promise that today you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43
Whereas the first words of forgiveness are given to the crowd in general Jesus now makes personal contact with those crucified with him.
Read Luke 23:38-43
- Can you understand the bitterness of the first criminal?
- What do you understand “with me in Paradise” means?
It can be easy to forgive someone who comes as the Prodigal Son showing repentance. But sometimes those who hurt us are unrepentant.
- What of the unrepentant criminal - is there forgiveness available for him?
- Does loving our enemies mean forgiveness for those who hurt us?
- Can there be forgiveness to the worst this world produces?
Study 3
Jesus started crying, and the people said, "See how much he loved."
John 11:35-36
The Humanity of Christ
Throughout the history of the Church people have argued about the divinity of Christ. Sometimes this has overshadowed the very real message of the New Testament that Jesus was born of Mary and lived just as we do.
- What does it mean to be human?
- Do you see all these things in Christ?
Humanity means being aware of self and relating to others. One way of looking at this is given by the lawyer who has come to speak with Jesus.
Read Luke 10:25-28 (read verses 29-37 if you have time.)
- What relationships are talked of here?
- Do our relationships help define humanity?
Fourth Word - Mother this is your Son
When Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son."
John 19:26
Some will have lost a son or daughter. Some will have watched their child or a friend die with incredible pain . But we cannot completely understand Mary’s suffering on that day.
- What do you think Mary would have been feeling?
- What do you think Jesus felt looking down from the cross and seeing her there?
His eyes move across the small group near the cross and sees “the disciple Jesus loved”.
- What do you understand this to mean?
- Did he not love the other disciples or his other followers?
Jesus suggests a new relationship between them. John is said to have cared for Mary over many years. She is said to have lived at her death with him in Ephesus.
- What would this new relationship have meant?
- Would it be a privilege or a burden?
Fifth Word - I am thirsty
Someone then soaked a sponge with the wine and held it up to Jesus’ mouth on the stem of a hyssop plant.
John 19:29
All the Gospels speak of a drink being offered on a sponge. Only John links it to Jesus’ own cry of thirst.
Read John 19:28-29
The wine is cheap and not very good. It would have been there for the refreshment of soldiers. As Jesus realises he has done all he can he is aware of his own need.
- Can we imagine Christ’s suffering?
- What has he been through?
- Can we be aware of our own needs while meeting the needs of others?
A story in the Talmud tells of a Rabbi being sent to meet the Messiah at the gates of the City. He is there with others binding their own wounds. But the Messiah wraps one wound at a time so he will be ready when needed by others.
- How can we be wounded healers?
Study 4
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.
John 13:1
The End of a Life
Endings can be sad
Everley Brothers - Breaking up’s so hard to do
It can be a relief
Thank God that’s over
What different endings can you think of?
How do you think Jesus felt as he came to the end of his ministry?
Read: Mark 14:32-36
Sixth Word - Into thy hands I commend my spirit
Jesus shouted, "Father, I put myself in your hands!"
Luke 23:46
At the end Christ puts all in God’s hands.
Read Luke 23:44-49
- What do you think he meant by this?
The German theologian Moltmann has described the crucifixion as “death in God”.
- Is God present even in the worst of events?
- Are there times when we must put ourselves in God’s hands?
- Can you think of occasions when you’ve done this?
Seventh Word - It is finished
After Jesus drank the wine, he said, "Everything is done!" He bowed his head and died.
John 19:30
He is dead. It is finished. The end. The last act in the drama has been played out.
Read Mark 15:37-41
- How did the people at Golgotha understand that end?
- What did Jesus mean by “finished”?
- What are the feelings of the disciples?
- What does Mary, his mother, feel?
- How did the centurion understand what he saw?
- Do we see that the death of Christ is the end?
- Or is there more?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:53-57
- In what way has death lost its sting?
- How does Christ’s death change the way we look at life and death?
- Do you think death is the end?
Conclusion
- How do the words enable us to face Easter?
- What hope do they give for anything beyond?
A Prayer
Words of death , words of life
Your words as your earthly life ebbed away
Words of life, words of love
As your words remained to stay
Words of love, words of hope
Your words with us always.
Make us aware of your love through this Eastertide
Make us aware of our responsibility to take your words to all
That all may know of the one who came to meet
The world’s need—bringing love to be shared by all.
Amen
All quotes from the Bible are taken from the Contemporary English Version.