A Time for Reflection and Prayer – Separation and Solidarity

John 19:17-30

¹⁷ Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
¹⁹ Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ²¹ The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, ‘Do not write “The King of the Jews”, but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.’
²² Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’
²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
²⁴ ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,
‘They divided my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.’
So this is what the soldiers did.
²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ ²⁷ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
The death of Jesus
²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Separation

When I survey the wondrous cross

Solidarity

Prayer

Dear God,
I remember today, the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so we could be set free. he paid the price, such a great sacrifice, to offer us the gift of eternal life.

Help me never to take for granted this huge gift of love on my behalf. Help me to remind of the cost of it all. Forgive me for being too busy, or distracted by other things, for not fully recogniszing what you have freely gven, what you have done for me.

Thank you, Lord that by your wounds we are healed. Thank yu that because of your great sacrifice I can live free. Thank you that sin and death has been conquered and that your power is everlasting.

Thank you that I can say with great hope, ‘It is finished…’ For I know what’s still to come. And Death has lost its sting. I praise you for making all things new.

In Jesus name
Amen