Middle school · Day 4 of 5
Jesus Died for Me
Read: John 19:16-30 (KJV)
16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
This is the hardest part of the story, but it is the most important. Jesus was beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross. He had never done anything wrong, yet He suffered and died. Why? Because all of us have sinned, and sin separates us from God. Jesus took the punishment we deserved. Right before He died, He said, "It is finished." That means the price for our sin was paid in full. Romans 5:8 says God showed His love for us while we were still sinners. You do not have to earn God's love by being good enough, getting perfect grades, or never messing up. Jesus already did what you could never do. When you trust Him, your sins are forgiven and you are made right with God.
Key verse
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (KJV)
Think about it
- What stands out to you most about what Jesus went through?
- What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "It is finished"?
- How does it feel to know that Jesus loved you enough to die for you?
Pray
Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I could never earn Your love, but You gave it to me freely. I trust You as my Savior. Help me live every day thankful for what You did for me. Amen.