Scripture: John 19:31-37
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
Reflection:
The loss of hope can come quickly. For the followers of Jesus the end of his life on the cross marked a sure loss of hope in all they expected that Jesus would accomplish. The cross led to Jesus’ death and the death of their hope in him. When we find ourselves in a place of hopelessness it is important to remember the way that the cross opened up a greater hope.
Activity:
On a blank piece of paper write a word or two that represent an area of life where you have lost hope. This may be in relationship to a person or circumstance in life. Now draw a circle around this lost hope and pray that God would reveal to you a greater hope. This time, draw a larger circle around this lost hope and again pray that God would reveal to you a greater hope in place of this one.
Prayer:
Jesus, don’t allow me to expect that everything about you makes perfect sense. Help me remember that faith in you is just that, faith, and not a math problem that can be proven. And when my hope is lost, replace it with something greater. Amen.
