WEEK 4
READ WEEK 3 NOTES HERE ... Days 13-19
DAY 20. TWO THIEVES, TWO CROSSES
From Max:
- When it seems as if everyone has turned away, a crook places himself between Jesus and the accusers and speaks on His behalf.
REFLECT - Two thieves leave two vastly opposing heritages. Both remembered until Jesus returns. Both written namelessly in history.
Discuss - Whose heritage does Psalm 61:8 describe? What do you think this heritage is? Why is it not available to all?
DAY 21. THE TALE OF THE CRUCIFIED CROOK
From Max:
- You don't have to look nice or perform well. Your value is inborn.
REFLECT - Jesus died for the lost, the least, the last and the lonely. Jesus was not surrounded by the righteous at Golgotha but bracketed by the wicked. Yet one learned that which is better.
Discuss - Our value never changes to the Lord even when we remain nailed to the world.
Discuss - Think first on the wise thief, and then yourself ... if you had never known pain, would have ever sought and gained Divine presence?
DAY 22. FATHER FORGIVE THEM
From Max:
- Sometimes I wonder if we don't see Christ's love as much in the people He tolerated as in the pain He endured.
REFLECT - Our actions echo in eternity but our bitterness, resentments and ill-will won't.
Discuss - The righting of wrongs is never my job. How does Ecclesiastes 9:6 encourage us to love as Jesus loved, kiss the betrayer's feet and return no fire when shot at?
DAY 23. THE CROSS
From Max:
- The Cross is where God forgave His childen without lowering His standards... you are safe, safe in the shadow of the Cross.
REFLECT - It is the day of living dangerously to be absent from the shade of Heaven.
Discuss - Shadows are a popular metaphor for closeness. What benefits can you list from dwelling in God's shadow? See Psalm 91
DAY 24. JESUS ASKS JOHN TO CARE FOR HIS MOTHER
From Max:
- Mary learned that day the heartache that comes from saying good-bye.
REFLECT - Love is your happiest 'hello' and your hardest 'good-bye'.
Discuss - Was Mary's greatest torture what her eyes witnessed or what her heart felt?
Discuss - Jesus ached for you as much as He ached for Mary. Could this be the seed to devotion?
DAY 25. ABANDONED BY GOD
From Max:
- Christ lifts His heavy head and eyelids towards the heavens and spends His final energy crying out toward the ducking stars.
REFLECT - The choice of sin is always the choice to move into darkness.
Discuss - Why can the rule of darkness never succeed? See John 1:4, an older translation may help here.
Discuss - The measure of the finest gifts is always the price.
DAY 26. THIRSTY ON THE CROSS
From Max:
- Before the nail was pounded, a drink was offered...He refused to be stupified by the drugs, opting instead to feel the full force of His suffering.
REFLECT - Jesus has 'been there, done that'. Not as a mere phantom, a refugee from the home of angels, but He is as real as you and I. No torment did He restrain Himself from.
Discuss - What is the difference between hollow comfort and comfort that soothes? Does 2 Corinthians 11:2-5 help?
WEEK 5 STUDY NOTES