1. Why do you think the apostle John emphasizes eyewitness details and historical people and places in his story of Jesus? What difference does it make?
2. READ John 19:16-20. In the message we noted that Jesus carried his 100-lb crossbeam for about 650 yards to be crucified after first being beaten with rods and then having his back shredded by flogging (ripping muscle and maybe exposing bone). How does understanding the physical, emotional suffering of Jesus impact the way you follow him?
3. READ Psalm 22:1-2, 12-18. How does this psalm foreshadow Jesus’ suffering? What is the significance of Jesus praying Psalm 22 on the cross, and how does that shape your understanding of biblical prophecy?
4. Kendal noted that on top of his physical suffering, Jesus bore the weight of ‘every vile thought, word, and action you’ve ever had; every angry, lustful, envious, arrogant, bitter, dark, despairing, regret-filled moment you’ve ever known–multiplied by every person who’s ever lived.’ How does this give you insight into the weight Jesus carried on the cross? How does it inform the way you see him?
5. READ John 19:28-30. Jesus is in complete control here. No one took his life–he willingly and intentionally gave it up. Why does that matter?
6. Jesus cries, ‘It is finished.’ What was finished? What did Jesus accomplish on the cross? For insight, read 1 Peter 2:24, John 3:14-16, and Romans 5:6-11.
