Infinitum Lent JourneySample

Today we will continue to consider Jesus & Mission in the context of Lent.

This is our second last day of Jesus & Mission. We will return to the One Word Wonder practice to ascertain God’s will for us regarding generosity in the text. Remember, we are gazing through the lenses of Jesus & Mission.

This is an old tradition in which we camp out on just one word or verse during our spiritual rations. It’s been described as similar to eating a piece of food.

First, you take a bite. You pick a portion of today’s reading—usually just a verse—and read it. Read it several times. God will often highlight a word or phrase or you. Scribble down the word and other words that come to mind related to it.

Here’s the text, John 19:17-37 (GNT):

“17 He went out, carrying his cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull,” as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called “Golgotha.”) 18 There they crucified him; and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them. 19 Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. 20 Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am the King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.”

23 After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier. They also took the robe, which was made of one piece of woven cloth without any seams in it. 24 The soldiers said to one another, “Let's not tear it; let's throw dice to see who will get it.” This happened in order to make the scripture come true:

“They divided my clothes among themselves

and gambled for my robe.”

And this is what the soldiers did.

25 Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.”

27 Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home.

The Death of Jesus

28 Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said, “I am thirsty.”

29 A bowl was there, full of cheap wine; so a sponge was soaked in the wine, put on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted up to his lips. 30 Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!”

Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31 Then the Jewish authorities asked Pilate to allow them to break the legs of the men who had been crucified, and to take the bodies down from the crosses. They requested this because it was Friday, and they did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses on the Sabbath, since the coming Sabbath was especially holy. 32 So the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out. (35 The one who saw this happen has spoken of it, so that you also may believe. What he said is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth.) 36 This was done to make the scripture come true: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And there is another scripture that says, “People will look at him whom they pierced.””

Then you chew it. You ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you; you’re looking for revelation as to what God is saying in this word or phrase and what he is saying to you. You might find other verses with complementary perspectives on your word. You might get a fuller understanding of God’s heart.

Then you savor it. You pray this word or phrase over your current situation—your pressures, hurts, hopes, and sin—back to God. Our experience is translated through this word or phrase, and we can see it from God’s perspective.

Then you swallow it. You take your enhanced understanding of God and focus on him through the lens of this word or phrase and rest in his presence.

Then you digest it. Scribble a note to yourself about how you see this revelation applied to your life.