John 19:16-42; 2 Chronicles 30; Psalms 86

John 19:16-42

16 So then, because of them, he handed Him over to be crucified. Therefore they took Jesus away.

17 Carrying His own cross, He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

18 There they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.

19 Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS

20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.

21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Don't write, 'The King of the Jews,' but that He said, 'I am the King of the Jews.' "

22 Pilate replied, "What I have written, I have written."

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.

24 So they said to one another, "Let's not tear it, but toss for it, to see who gets it." [They did this] to fulfill the Scripture that says: They divided My clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for My clothing. And this is what the soldiers did.

25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing there, He said to His mother, "Woman, here is your son."

27 Then He said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, "I'm thirsty!"

29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop and held it up to His mouth.

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

31 Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men's legs broken and that [their bodies] be taken away.

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him.

33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead.

34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

35 He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.

36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of His bones will be broken.

37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the One they pierced.

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus-but secretly because of his fear of the Jews-asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away.

39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds = 12 ounces of myrrh and aloes.

40 Then they took Jesus' body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.

41 There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it.

42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

2 Chronicles 30

1 Then Hezekiah sent [word] throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh to come to the Lord's temple in Jerusalem to observe the Passover of the Lord God of Israel.

2 For the king and his officials and the entire congregation in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover of the Lord in the second month

3 because they were not able to observe it at the appropriate time, since not enough of the priests had consecrated themselves and the people hadn't been gathered together in Jerusalem.

4 The proposal pleased the king and the congregation,

5 so they affirmed the proposal and spread the message throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, to come to observe the Passover of the Lord God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they hadn't observed it often, as prescribed.

6 So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king's command, saying, "Israelites, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped from the grasp of the kings of Assyria.

7 Don't be like your fathers and your brothers who were unfaithful to the Lord God of their ancestors so that He made them an object of horror as you yourselves see.

8 Don't become obstinate now like your fathers did. Give your allegiance to the Lord, and come to His sanctuary that He has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God so that He may turn His fierce wrath away from you,

9 for when you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons [will receive] mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn [His] face away from you if you return to Him."

10 The couriers traveled from city to city in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the inhabitants laughed at them and mocked them.

11 But some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

12 Also, the hand of God was in Judah to give them one heart to carry out the command of the king and his officials by the word of the Lord.

13 A very large assembly of people was gathered in Jerusalem to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month.

14 They proceeded to take away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.

15 They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed, and they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the Lord's temple.

16 They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the law of Moses the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood [received] from the hand of the Levites,

17 for there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, and so the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover [lambs] for every unclean person to consecrate [the lambs] to the Lord.

18 For a large number of the people-many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun-were unclean, yet they had eaten the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah had interceded for them, saying, "May the good Lord provide atonement on behalf of

19 whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God, the Lord God of his ancestors, even though not according to the purification [rules] of the sanctuary."

20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

21 The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day after day with loud instruments.

22 Then Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the Lord. They ate the appointed feast for seven days, sacrificing fellowship offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God of their ancestors.

23 The whole congregation decided to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy,

24 for Hezekiah king of Judah contributed 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for the congregation. Also, the officials contributed 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep for the congregation, and many priests consecrated themselves.

25 Then the whole assembly of Judah with the priests and Levites, the whole assembly that came from Israel, the foreigners who came from the land of Israel, and those who were living in Judah, rejoiced.

26 Such rejoicing had not been seen in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel.

27 Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.

Psalms 86

1 Listen, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

2 Protect my life, for I am faithful. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.

3 Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to You all day long.

4 Bring joy to Your servant's life, since I set my hope on You, Lord.

5 For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You.

6 Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy.

7 I call on You in the day of my distress, for You will answer me.

8 Lord, there is no one like You among the gods, and there are no works like Yours.

9 All the nations You have made will come and bow down before You, Lord, and will honor Your name.

10 For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.

11 Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.

12 I will praise You with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor Your name forever.

13 For Your faithful love for me is great, and You deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.

14 God, arrogant people have attacked me; a gang of ruthless men seeks my life. They have no regard for You.

15 But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in faithful love and truth.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your female servant.

17 Show me a sign of Your goodness; my enemies will see and be put to shame because You, Lord, have helped and comforted me.