Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, December 21, 2024.

Main Theme:  John presents the Cross as the enthronement of Jesus, particularly tied to the idea of the hour, which is referred to numerous times throughout the book (John 7:30; John 8:20; John 12:27). This idea of enthronement is an ironic picture since crucifixion was the most ignominious and shameful way to die that the Romans used. This contrast points to the deeply ironic depiction that John presents: Jesus is dying in shame, but it is, at the same time, His glorious enthronement as the Savior.

Read in Class: John 18:33-19:5. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What did Pilate and Jesus talk about? How did Pilate try to persuade the people to ask for Jesus’ release?

Apply: How scary—a pagan ruler wants to release Jesus while the spiritual leaders of the nation, who should have recognized Him, wanted Him crucified instead! What lessons can we take from this for ourselves?

Share: Your friend asks you, “how do you understand the idea of Jesus as the Truth?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 19:25-30. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is?

Study: What touching scene regarding Jesus’ mother happened at the cross?

Apply: When Jesus said, “It is finished,” what does that mean for each of us? What was finished, and how does that apply to our lives?

Share: Your pastor friend says he wishes he had time to help his ailing mother, but his ministry just keep him so busy that he can’t be there for his mother. What do you tell your pastor friend?

Read in Class: John 20:1-10. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the meaning of the folded face cloth?

Apply: What is the importance to us about what is depicted in these verses?

Share: Your friend asks, “when Jesus was resurrected wouldn’t it have been more advantageous for Him to have gone at once to appear before all the leaders back in Jerusalem, instead of just appearing first to a woman who had been fighting addictions?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 20:11-18. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is?

Study: What happened here that shows why Mary Magdalene still did not understand the meaning of the empty tomb? What changed everything for Mary?

Apply: Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. According to Paul, what good is our Christian faith if Christ had not been raised from the dead?

Share: Your friend asks, how you know for sure that Jesus was really resurrected? What do you tell your friend?