8/10 APRIL2003

• ‘THOSE WHO CARED’ – the People who ministered to him

Readings: Matt 27. 32-34,48,55 Mark 15.21-23,36

 Luke 23.26,36,40,49 John 19.25-29

(Don’t read these passages yet!)

THE ATMOSPHERE AT CALVARY: Have you ever stopped to think what the atmosphere was like that surrounded those who died at Calvary? What did it feel like to Jesus as he hung there? By what was he surrounded? What reached his ears and heart? The gospels all reveal that he was surrounded by both callous cruelty and compassionate care.

CRUELTY and COMPASSION (MOCKERS and MINISTERS):

• Split up into small groups (2s, 3s or 4s). Get half the groups to research from Matthew 27.35-49 the acts of cruelty that infected the atmosphere at the cross. List and describe them.

Get the other groups to research from the passages listed above, the acts of care and compassion that took place during those hours of crucifixion.

Get the groups to report back their findings.

(or do these things as one group if you prefer).

Discuss together which of the two you feel predominated.

THOSE WHO CARED and MINISTERED

On the cross, Jesus felt the pain of being surrounded by the atmosphere of a cruel world. But not every one who came to the cross came to mock. Caught up in the hideous suffering of the cross purely through their love for and allegiance to the Lord Jesus, there were those present who attempted to alleviate that awful pain by ministering to him as best they could.

This week we see how those who loved Him ministered to his sufferings – and how we can similarly serve Him amidst the sufferings we encounter.

SIMON FROM CYRENE: BEARING JESUS’ CROSS

• Try to imagine Simon’s feelings as he, just watching trouble in the streets, was suddenly pounced on and compelled to become personally involved! How do you feel about being forced to get involved in situations of unpleasantness and need?
• Simon rendered the service of bearing for another a burden too heavy for them to carry. What does the Bible have to say about this? (Galatians 6.2) And how can we do it?
• Simon bore a cross for Jesus. What does Jesus have to say about his disciples ‘taking up his cross’? (see Mat 16.24) What does he mean?

SUPPLIERS OF DRUGGED WINE and THE ONE WHO GAVE A DRINK ON A SPONGE

We are told that Jerusalem had a guild of compassionate women who made it their task to supply drugged wine for the many victims of crucifixion to take the edge off the agony. Perhaps they supplied it and the soldiers administered it. And someone gave him a drink on a sponge, when he cried out about the desperate thirst that tortured those crucified under the burning sun.

• Often we are helpless to prevent the world’s suffering, but how can we help alleviate it? What such ministries are there? Do you support any? Are you personally involved in any?

THE ONE WHO SPOKE OUT A KIND WORD

One of the thieves it seems repented of the abuse thrown at Jesus and spoke a kind word to him – the last ever spoken.

• Discuss the thief’s reasons for that word.
• Try to imagine how much the faith he showed in Jesus and the kind word he spoke to him meant to Jesus. How important is kindness? How significant a thing is it to those In need? What impact does it make?
• How great a consolation to us, if we face rejection, adversity or loneliness, is it to know that someone believes in you?

THE SMALL COMPANY OF HIS DEAR FRIENDS, standing near the cross

• How difficult and hard do you think it must have been for them to come and stay with him throughout all that appalling suffering? What was hard about it?
• How difficult is the feeling of utter ‘helpless’ when faced with suffering death? What id difficult about it? –sometimes it is so great we feel we can’t stand it: so what are we tempted to do then?
• How great a consolation to the suffering is the mere presence with them of those who truly love them?

 How does it help?

CONCLUSION:

THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND US:

In the same way that some eased the awful atmosphere around the cross by their acts of compassion, so we too are called to embody Christ’s love and ministry in a pain-wracked world.

The Lord Jesus himself said that in as much as we reach out to minister in a similar way to any caught up in the widespread suffering and needs of our present world, it is as if we do it directly to him. Such ministry is both for Him and reckoned as to Him.