1. THE SOLDIERS’ PART Sun, Nov 2

a. After Pilate had delivered Jesus to the Roman soldiers, what did they do? Matthew 27:27–30. b. Where did the soldiers take Jesus after humiliating Him? Matthew 27:31; John 19:17. Who else followed them? “Christ, the precious Son of God, was led forth, and the cross was laid upon His shoulders. At every step was left blood which flowed from His wounds. Thronged by an immense crowd of bitter enemies and unfeeling spectators, He is led away to the crucifixion. . . .“His sorrowing disciples follow Him at a distance, behind the murderous throng.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 208.“The news of His condemnation had spread throughout Jerusalem, and people of all classes and all ranks flocked toward the place of crucifixion. The priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to molest Christ’s followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and the disciples and believers from the city and the surrounding region joined the throng that followed the Saviour.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 741.

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2. ON THE WAY TO CALVARY Mon, Nov 3

a. Explain Christ’s physical condition when the cross was placed on Him—and the accommodation made in order to proceed. Matthew 27:32. “Since the Passover supper with His disciples, [Jesus] had taken neither food nor drink. He had agonized in the garden of Gethsemane in conflict with satanic agencies. He had endured the anguish of the betrayal, and had seen His disciples forsake Him and flee. He had been taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas, and then to Pilate. From Pilate He had been sent to Herod, then sent again to Pilate. From insult to renewed insult, from mockery to mockery, twice tortured by the scourge—all that night there had been scene after scene of a character to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had spoken no word but that tended to glorify God. All through the disgraceful farce of a trial He had borne Himself with firmness and dignity. But when after the second scourging the cross was laid upon Him, human nature could bear no more. He fell fainting beneath the burden. . . .“At this time a stranger, Simon a Cyrenian, coming in from the country, meets the throng. . . . He stops in astonishment at the scene; and as he expresses his compassion, they seize him and place the cross upon his shoulders.“Simon had heard of Jesus. His sons were believers in the Saviour, but he himself was not a disciple. The bearing of the cross to Calvary was a blessing to Simon, and he was ever after grateful for this providence. It led him to take upon himself the cross of Christ from choice, and ever cheerfully stand beneath its burden.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 742. b. Hearing words of sympathy, what did Jesus prophesy? Luke 23:27–31. “Christ looked forward to the time of Jerusalem’s destruction. In that terrible scene, many of those who were now weeping for Him were to perish with their children.“[Jesus] saw a symbol of the final destruction to come upon the world. He said, ‘Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?’ By the green tree, Jesus represented Himself, the innocent Redeemer. God suffered His wrath against transgression to fall on His beloved Son. Jesus was to be crucified for the sins of men. What suffering, then, would the sinner bear who continued in sin?”—Ibid., p. 743.

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3. THE CRUCIFIXION Tue, Nov 4

a. Describe the scene of Calvary and its particularly heart-rending effects on Jesus’ mother. Matthew 27:33, 34; John 19:18, 25. “Arriving at the place of execution, the prisoners were bound to the instruments of torture. The two thieves wrestled in the hands of those who placed them on the cross; but Jesus made no resistance. The mother of Jesus, supported by John the beloved disciple, had followed the steps of her Son to Calvary. She had seen Him fainting under the burden of the cross, and had longed to place a supporting hand beneath His wounded head, and to bathe that brow which had once been pillowed upon her bosom. But she was not permitted this mournful privilege. With the disciples she still cherished the hope that Jesus would manifest His power, and deliver Himself from His enemies. Again her heart would sink as she recalled the words in which He had foretold the very scenes that were then taking place. As the thieves were bound to the cross, she looked on with agonizing suspense. Would He who had given life to the dead suffer Himself to be crucified? Would the Son of God suffer Himself to be thus cruelly slain? Must she give up her faith that Jesus was the Messiah? Must she witness His shame and sorrow, without even the privilege of ministering to Him in His distress? She saw His hands stretched upon the cross; the hammer and the nails were brought, and as the spikes were driven through the tender flesh, the heart-stricken disciples bore away from the cruel scene the fainting form of the mother of Jesus.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 744. b. What action of the soldiers fulfilled another prophetic detail concerning Jesus? Compare Psalm 22:16–18 with John 19:23, 24. “Centuries before the crucifixion, the Saviour had foretold the treatment He was to receive. . . . The prophecy concerning [Christ’s] garments was carried out without counsel or interference from the friends or the enemies of the Crucified One. To the soldiers who had placed Him upon the cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard the men’s contention as they parted the garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, ‘Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.’ ”—Ibid, p. 746.

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4. THE KING OF THE JEWS Wed, Nov 5

a. What three-language inscription was placed on the cross by order of Pilate? John 19:19, 20. How did the Jewish rulers react? John 19:21, 22. “This inscription irritated the Jews. In Pilate’s court they had cried, ‘Crucify Him.’ ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ John 19:15. They had declared that whoever should acknowledge any other king was a traitor. Pilate wrote out the sentiment they had expressed. No offense was mentioned, except that Jesus was the King of the Jews. The inscription was a virtual acknowledgment of the allegiance of the Jews to the Roman power. It declared that whoever might claim to be the King of Israel would be judged by them worthy of death. The priests had overreached themselves. When they were plotting the death of Christ, Caiaphas had declared it expedient that one man should die to save the nation. Now their hypocrisy was revealed. In order to destroy Christ, they had been ready to sacrifice even their national existence.“The priests saw what they had done, and asked Pilate to change the inscription. They said, ‘Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews.’ But Pilate was angry with himself because of his former weakness, and he thoroughly despised the jealous and artful priests and rulers. He replied coldly, ‘What I have written I have written.’“A higher power than Pilate or the Jews had directed the placing of that inscription above the head of Jesus. In the providence of God it was to awaken thought, and investigation of the Scriptures. The place where Christ was crucified was near to the city. Thousands of people from all lands were then at Jerusalem, and the inscription declaring Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah would come to their notice. It was a living truth, transcribed by a hand that God had guided.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 745, 746. b. What did Jesus pray on the cross—and whom did it include? Luke 23:34. “That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. ‘Whosoever will’ may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life.”—Ibid., p. 745.

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5. “IT IS FINISHED” Thu, Nov 6

a. Name one aspect of the noble example Jesus left for us. John 19:26, 27. “Even in His last agony, [Jesus] remembers to provide for His sorrowing, widowed mother. The same spirit will be seen in every disciple of our Lord. Those who follow Christ will feel that it is a part of their religion to respect and provide for their parents.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 752. b. Whom did Jesus save during the final moments of His sacrifice? Luke 23:39–43. What was the significance of Jesus’ final cry? John 19:30. “Ancient texts were not punctuated. The comma [in Luke 23:43] could come before or after today.”—Bible From the Ancient Eastern Text, p. 1049.“When the loud cry, ‘It is finished,’ came from the lips of Christ, the priests were officiating in the temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb representing Christ had been brought to be slain. Clothed in his significant and beautiful dress, the priest stood with lifted knife, as did Abraham when he was about to slay his son. With intense interest the people were looking on. But the earth trembles and quakes; for the Lord Himself draws near. With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of God. . . .“All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim; but the knife drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype in the death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice has been made. The way into the holiest is laid open. A new and living way is prepared for all.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 756, 757.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Nov 7

1. How can I be sure that I am really praying in Christ’s name? 2. Why is Christ’s peace more appealing than the peace the world offers? 3. How can I experience more of the peace of Christ? 4. Describe the life of the believer at peace with God. 5. Summarize the work of the Holy Spirit.