O God, please give me the ability to empathize with Jesus’s grief, as well as the suffering of others. Grant me strength and courage to follow his example.

Option 1:
Scripture: Mark 14:43-15:21
Reflection: Enter the scene. This is your best friend. You are one of his disciples watching all of this happening. What are you feeling? How do you respond?

Option 2:
Reflection: Meditate on the story of Ray Hinton, an innocent man who spent 30 years on death row in a tiny cell after being falsely accused. Consider the feelings of helplessness and anguish at having one’s life stolen by people in power. How might you empathize with Jesus in people who are unfairly arrested and incarcerated today?

Option 3:
Reflection exercise: Think of the person you love most. Imagine that you know your loved one’s death is imminent. Or recall a time when you lost such a loved one. What do you want to say to this person before he or she dies? Let the feelings you experience be transferred to what it would be like watching Jesus about to die.
Activity: Today, do something for someone to express how much they mean to you.

Option 4:
Scripture: Mark 15:22-41
Reflection: Watch Jesus die. Grieve for and with him. Consider the image of a man crucified by ISIS (warning: disturbing image).[1] What do you feel? Let this individual be Christ to you as you consider Jesus’s crucifixion.

Option 5:
Scripture: John 19:16-30
Watch Jesus die. Grieve for and with him. Consider who is there with him and who is not. Honestly reflect on where your own heart is at.

Option 6:
Scripture: Mark 8:34-38; Romans 6:1-7; Romans 12:1-2ff
Reflection: What would it look like in your life to pick up your cross and die with Christ? Be practical, concrete, and specific. What emotions arise for you as you contemplate this?
Song: “Crown of Thorns”

Reviewing the Week:
Look back on the past week. What stands out to you the most as you have prayed and reflected on Jesus’s arrest and execution? Talk with God about your reflections.

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[1] Use your discernment about looking at images. You are under no obligation to do so.