32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. • Who am I that my Savior would die for me? • Are you doing something for Jesus not because you want to but because you have to? • Are you just going through motions, not really paying attention to Jesus? • Ever blame Jesus instead of doing self-examination?• Do you tell Jesus he has to prove himself to you?• Dale Bruner – “The greatest miracle Jesus ever did was the miracle he did not do• Has God already given you evidence to believe, but you still refuse? • 2 Corinthians 5:21 - 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. • When your pain overwhelms you, will you still cry out to God? • Will you do something kind for Jesus? • Are you living in the hope of Jesus? • Surely, he was the Son of God. • Do you see who Jesus really is? • They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. • If you are a Christian, are you following; are you serving? • Who am I that my Savior would die for me? The one loved by God. • Thank you for being the Savior who died for me. In your opinion, what does it mean that Jesus refuses to drink the wine and have his pain dulled before his crucifixion?
