God Moves To the Cross

Jesus’ move to the cross declares that forgiveness of sins and eternal life is given to anyone who trusts in Him. Nothing more. Nothing less. Faith alone in Christ alone determines our eternal destiny.

         Read Luke 23:1-49 and reflect on the passage

There is only one in Jesus’ story towards the cross who uses his title unironically. Jesus does not die alone: with one criminal on His right and one on His left, He finally hears a single voice of sincerity among the jeers of the crowd: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” He is truly hailed as King at last—and it’s by a petty thief. 

Jesus’ whole life was a paradox, His actions unexpected, His choice of followers startling, His path to power the path of defeat and death. The cross is the final moment of confusion for the royal watchers among us. This can’t be it? Can it? Can this be what He was intending to do with His reign? This may be one of the most important conversations ever recorded. Why? Because the man in the middle died with sin on him, but not in him.

Station 13: Jesus Dies on the Cross (Luke 23:44-46)

Jesus worshiped at the Jerusalem Temple many times when He was alive. In that temple was a curtain that separated people from the Holy of Holies, the place where they believed God was present in a very special way. When Jesus died, two amazing things happened: it became very dark all throughout the city, and the curtain in the temple was torn in two. Because of Jesus’ death, we can now always be in God’s presence.

Station 14: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb (Matthew 27:57-60)

After Jesus died on the cross, one of His friends, Joseph of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus’ body down from the cross. Along with Mary, Jesus’ mother, and some other friends of Jesus, Joseph prepared Jesus’ body for burial. Then he buried Jesus in his own tomb.

Read and reflect on the passages.

1. The whole earth became dark, the sun stopped shining, and all hope seemed to be gone. What do people feel hopeless about? Is there something in your life that seems hopeless? How can the meaning of Easter (resurrection, new life, forgiveness) bring hope into your life?

2. Jesus took on all of our sins when He died on the cross. Is there something you have done that you need to ask forgiveness for?

3. What Joseph did took courage—what is one thing you have done that took courage? What is something you need courage to do?

—Brittany Timm

Empowered

January 8

Our transformation and heart change can only come from the Holy Spirit within.

It’s hard to imagine that God could do even more for us than what we’ve seen so far in Emmanuel. And yet, things get even sweeter. Our amazing, enormous God not only is with us, and became one of us, but now we learn that this same God sent His Spirit to indwell us. God can be in us—leading us, sustaining us, and giving us the ability to live a life that is powerfully devoted to Him!

Scripture for today, John 14:15-23, which invites us to look at heart change through the Holy Spirit.

Take time to reflect together on the passage. Read the passage a second time if needed. If you’d like some help in drawing out reflections, share answers to these questions: How do you show love (to your family, friends, those you don’t like)? How does your love differ from your family and friends to those you don’t like?

Jesus tells us that we are not alone, but that the Holy Spirit lives within us; how does knowing that we do not have to rely on ourselves for heart change, affect how you can love others?

With the start of a new year, what are things you can do this year to show that God dwells in you? Who are people in your life that need to hear the Gospel?

After giving time to reflection, offer up a simple prayer to God. If you aren’t sure what to pray, consider something like this: “Thank you God for sending the Holy Spirit to transform my heart. Thank you God for the strength, peace, comfort, and leading that the Holy Spirit provides in my life. Amen.”

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus - “Empowered.”

For Adults

It is not easy to love everyone. As you go through your week look for the things that you struggle with about others, and ask God to change your heart. In that moment pray that the Holy Spirit would start to transform your heart to see those things as God does.

For Teens

It is not easy to love everyone. As you go through your week look for the things that are hard to love in others. Stop in the moments when you find things that you don’t like, or make you mad. Pray that the Holy Spirit would start to change your heart to see those people as God does.

For Kids

We know we love God when we love others. Ask your kids who out of the people they know, is God asking them to show love to?

—Brittany Timm & David White

Given

January 1 

This next year, we have the ability to make changes in our lives with resolutions that we can fulfill on our own.  But with Jesus, we have the ability to experience relationship with the only One who can make all things new.

As we begin the New Year, many people have their sights set on newness. We are simply programmed with the assumption that life can and should be different. The Bible gives us a clear account for why this is—we live in a fallen world that cries out for newness, for restoration. So as we enter the New Year, it is great to pursue the hope that comes with our resolutions, but our ultimate hope will come in trusting in our God who came into the world in order to make all things new.

Scriptures for today, Isaiah 9:6-7 and Revelation 21:1-5a, which invites us to look at the ability we have to experience a relationship with the only One who can make things new.

Take time to reflect together on the passage. Read the passage a second time if needed. If you’d like some help in drawing out reflections, share answers to these questions: With the start of a brand-new year, where does the Kingdom of God need to break into your life in new ways? What are things in your life that need forgiveness? Newness? Hope?

Knowing that God is with you, what are ways that you need to grow your relationship with Him?

God’s promise of making everything new is not just a future promise but an everyday promise. How can you live into that promise every day, what little steps can you honestly make that will let you be made new in Christ?

After giving time to reflection, offer up a simple prayer to God. If you aren’t sure what to pray, consider something like this: “Jesus, thank you for coming to dwell

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus of “Given.”

For Adults

As you go through your week, what things need to be made new in your life? Pray that you can give that to God to be made new through Him.

With the promise of everything that is yet to come from God, who in your everyday life could use a new view of Jesus? Start to pray how God can use you to share who He is. Pray every time you think of that person that God would work on their heart.

For Teens

What in your life seems old, tired, or needs to be made new? As you come across those things in your week, stop and pray in that moment to give those things to God and that He would make them new.

For Kids

Take advantage of the time you’ll spend this week doing chores around the house. Weave a faith conversation into the simple act of cleaning up the kitchen or your child’s bedroom. Have your child take mental note of the mess before you begin. When you’re done cleaning, reflect on how the room is new again. How can it be used because of that newness? What are the things that Jesus makes new for people?

—Brittany Timm & David White