33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

Matthew 27:33

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says,

“They divided my clothes among themselves,

and for my clothing they cast lots.”

John 19:23-24

38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Matthew 27:38

 

Also Mark 15:22-24.

Response:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeeming Lord,

the Cross now dominates our sky.

 

Such brutality and cruelty are offensive to our eyes, but we dare not turn away from this

as you come to your throne.

 

Many can hardly believe what they are seeing;

 

but the barracking priests are here, harrowing you till you are dead;

 

and soldiers, too familiar with this distasteful duty, are dicing for their “perks”;

 

and the women who attend so many crucifixions have brought their sour wine;

 

but you, my Lord, have none of it

-you want a clear head to handle what is coming.

and show us how you deal with suffering.

 

Crucified Lord, you are not high and exalted, for this low Cross is coarse and crude, but you are “lifted up,”

 

and you are still where we will always find you:

… with the outcasts,

in the midst of those who are suffering, alongside the dying.

 

At the foot of your Cross … we pray for all who are outcast,

all who are suffering today, … all who are dying now.

 

And for ourselves at the foot of your Cross we pray. Help us to hear what you are saying to us.

Response:

• Saved: Church, Lent