Suffering
For grief and headwinds. Jesus in his darkest hours.
- The prayer of the forsakenEloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? … My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?Mark 15:34
- He was thirstyI am thirsty.John 19:28
- In the olive pressMy Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.Matthew 26:39
- Blessed are those who mournBlessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.Matthew 5:4
- HeadwindBlessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of…Matthew 5:10
- Let it sink inLet these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands…Luke 9:44
- Lifted upWhen you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.John 8:28
- Who sinned?Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be…John 9:3
- He wept over the cityIf only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your…Luke 19:42
- Not one stone upon anotherDo you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one…Mark 13:2
- In two daysYou know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be…Matthew 26:2
- Is it I?Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.Mark 14:18
- Stay with meMy soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.Matthew 26:38
- Weep not for meDaughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.Luke 23:28
Reading plans with this theme
- Forty days to EasterThe life of Jesus in forty words, from the temple in Jerusalem to Easter morning. Start on Wednesday 17 February 2027 and read every day, Sundays included. Day 33 then falls on Palm Sunday, day 38 on Good Friday and day 40 on Easter Sunday, 28 March 2027. Lent itself begins a week earlier, on Ash Wednesday, because its Sundays are not counted.40 days
- The last weekFrom the entry into Jerusalem to two days before Passover. What Jesus said in the temple and on the Mount of Olives.19 days
- From Gethsemane to the tombThe trial and the crucifixion, word by word. Seventeen days, good for Holy Week or the weeks before.17 days
- Seven words from the crossEight days: first the prayer in Gethsemane, then the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross that the Gospels preserve together. An old meditation for Holy Week, or for any week.8 days