Lesson Twenty Four

LOVE’S GREATEST GIFT

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Memory Verse: John 15:13
Further Study: Matthew 27:15-49; Mark 15:6-36; Luke 23:8-44; John 18:39-19:29; The Desire of Ages, pp. 728-756; The Bible Story, vol. 9, pp. 93-124

There is a saying that one doesn’t really understand someone until they’ve walked a mile in their shoes. I think we might be able to say something similar about Jesus—we may not really grasp all He went through for us to provide for our salvation. His entire 33-year ministry culminated in one day. 

This week I’m suggesting something a bit different. 

This week I’m suggesting something a bit different. Instead of reading my words and contemplating them, you will supply the thoughts. Below is a timeline of the day Jesus died as taken from Scripture. I’m suggesting that you live this timeline each day this week. For example, if you’re awake at 6:00 a.m., note that Jesus is standing before Pilate at that time. What was He feeling? What was He hearing? What was He doing? At 8:00 a.m. He’s led to Calvary, perhaps around the time you’re sitting down for breakfast. Walk through Jesus’ day as you live your own. Allow His experience to seep into your life.

Allow His experience to seep into your life.

6:00 a.m. Jesus stands before Pilate and is sent to Herod.
7:00 a.m. Jesus is sentenced to death by Pilate.
8:00 a.m. Jesus is led away to Calvary.
9:00 a.m. Jesus is crucified. Within this hour, He says “Father, forgive them.”  The soldiers cast lots for His clothes.
10:00 a.m. Jesus is insulted and mocked.
11:00 a.m. Jesus hears and responds to the request of the thief on the cross. Jesus speaks to Mary, His mother, and John.
12:00 noon Darkness covers the land.
1:00 p.m. Jesus cries out to the Father; Jesus is thirsty.
2:00 p.m. Darkness envelops the cross.
3:00 p.m. Jesus cries “It is finished.” Jesus dies. There is an earthquake, the temple veil is torn. The Centurion says, “Surely He was the Son of God.”
By sundown Jesus is laid in the tomb.

I guarantee your life will be changed by doing this even a few days this week. Walk with Jesus each day this week and be renewed.

Digging Deeper 

Ellen White wrote: “It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.”*

*Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 83.

Making it Real

Don’t walk with Jesus alone. Include your family. Each day, walk through the moments Jesus experienced up through His death. As you have dinner tonight or during family worship, ask each person, children included what they thought, how it must have felt. By the end of the week, what has changed in you? Why is walking step-by-step with Jesus a way to understand His sacrifice better?

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.