40 Days of Discipline

¹⁶ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

So they took Jesus, ¹⁷ and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. ¹⁹ Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹ So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” ²² Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” ²³ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, ²⁴ so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”  So the soldiers did these things, ²⁵ but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:16-30, English Standard Version

Introduction

Our sixth and final challenge focuses on attributes of God that we observe during Holy Week.  The attributes displayed by Jesus during Holy Week are evident throughout His entire earthly ministry.  However, there is something about the emotional and spiritual intensity of the days leading up to the cross that brings certain attributes of God into sharp focus. 

God’s attributes can be categorized into two buckets.  There are incommunicable attributes (unattainable), which are unique to God’s divine nature.  Examples are omnipotence, omniscience, and self-existence.  Then there are communicable attributes (attainable), which are divine qualities that humans can achieve to some degree.  Examples are love, mercy, and goodness. 

We can examine Scripture passages about Holy Week to find communicable attributes displayed by Jesus. By reflecting on these attributes, we gain insights into who we have been “born again” to be. 

Challenge #6 – God’s Attributes 

For Monday through Friday of Holy Week please read the assigned passage of Scripture below and document your answers to the following questions:

1. What is a communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to you?
2. In what areas can you demonstrate this attribute more effectively?
3. What do your answers prompt you to pray about?

As an example of what is expected, here are possible responses based on an examination of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:28-44):

1. The communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to me is His compassion.  He wept (verse 35) and was deeply moved (verse 38).
2. I can seek to better understand the pain of others.
3. I am thankful for the example set by Jesus and solicit his continued work in me to make me more in-tune with the suffering of those around me.

Assigned Scripture Passages:

• Monday – The Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
  
• Tuesday – Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
  
• Wednesday – Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
  
• Thursday – Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-5)
  
• Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you pursue this challenge.
2. Document your thoughts by using a method you are comfortable with (e.g., writing, typing or a digital voice and/or video message).
3. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to perform this challenge.
4. Avoid complacency because of familiarity with the passage of Scripture.
5. Be careful to make the connections between what Jesus does (activity) and who Jesus is (identity).
6. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity, so his activities and identity are always aligned. Consider areas in your life where your activities don’t match your identity in Christ.
7. Think of other passages of Scripture that also exhibit the attribute(s) of Jesus that you have identified.
8. Discuss your responses with others.
9. Preserve your documentation for future reflection.
10. Thank God for making you a “new creation” with the potential to demonstrate His communicable attributes.

¹Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:1-5, English Standard Version)

Introduction

Our sixth and final challenge focuses on attributes of God that we observe during Holy Week.  The attributes displayed by Jesus during Holy Week are evident throughout His entire earthly ministry.  However, there is something about the emotional and spiritual intensity of the days leading up to the cross that brings certain attributes of God into sharp focus. 

God’s attributes can be categorized into two buckets.  There are incommunicable attributes (unattainable), which are unique to God’s divine nature.  Examples are omnipotence, omniscience, and self-existence.  Then there are communicable attributes (attainable), which are divine qualities that humans can achieve to some degree.  Examples are love, mercy, and goodness. 

We can examine Scripture passages about Holy Week to find communicable attributes displayed by Jesus. By reflecting on these attributes, we gain insights into who we have been “born again” to be. 

Challenge #6 – God’s Attributes 

For Monday through Friday of Holy Week please read the assigned passage of Scripture below and document your answers to the following questions:

1. What is a communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to you?
2. In what areas can you demonstrate this attribute more effectively?
3. What do your answers prompt you to pray about?

As an example of what is expected, here are possible responses based on an examination of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:28-44):

1. The communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to me is His compassion.  He wept (verse 35) and was deeply moved (verse 38).
2. I can seek to better understand the pain of others.
3. I am thankful for the example set by Jesus and solicit his continued work in me to make me more in-tune with the suffering of those around me.

Assigned Scripture Passages:

• Monday – The Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
  
• Tuesday – Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
  
• Wednesday – Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
  
• Thursday – Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-5)
  
• Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you pursue this challenge.
2. Document your thoughts by using a method you are comfortable with (e.g., writing, typing or a digital voice and/or video message).
3. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to perform this challenge.
4. Avoid complacency because of familiarity with the passage of Scripture.
5. Be careful to make the connections between what Jesus does (activity) and who Jesus is (identity).
6. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity, so his activities and identity are always aligned. Consider areas in your life where your activities don’t match your identity in Christ.
7. Think of other passages of Scripture that also exhibit the attribute(s) of Jesus that you have identified.
8. Discuss your responses with others.
9. Preserve your documentation for future reflection.
10. Thank God for making you a “new creation” with the potential to demonstrate His communicable attributes.

³ And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. ⁴ There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? ⁵ For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. ⁹ And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (Mark 14:3-9, English Standard Version)

Introduction

Our sixth and final challenge focuses on attributes of God that we observe during Holy Week.  The attributes displayed by Jesus during Holy Week are evident throughout His entire earthly ministry.  However, there is something about the emotional and spiritual intensity of the days leading up to the cross that brings certain attributes of God into sharp focus. 

God’s attributes can be categorized into two buckets.  There are incommunicable attributes (unattainable), which are unique to God’s divine nature.  Examples are omnipotence, omniscience, and self-existence.  Then there are communicable attributes (attainable), which are divine qualities that humans can achieve to some degree.  Examples are love, mercy, and goodness. 

We can examine Scripture passages about Holy Week to find communicable attributes displayed by Jesus. By reflecting on these attributes, we gain insights into who we have been “born again” to be. 

Challenge #6 – God’s Attributes 

For Monday through Friday of Holy Week please read the assigned passage of Scripture below and document your answers to the following questions:

1. What is a communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to you?
2. In what areas can you demonstrate this attribute more effectively?
3. What do your answers prompt you to pray about?

As an example of what is expected, here are possible responses based on an examination of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:28-44):

1. The communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to me is His compassion.  He wept (verse 35) and was deeply moved (verse 38).
2. I can seek to better understand the pain of others.
3. I am thankful for the example set by Jesus and solicit his continued work in me to make me more in-tune with the suffering of those around me.

Assigned Scripture Passages:

• Monday – The Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
  
• Tuesday – Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
  
• Wednesday – Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
  
• Thursday – Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-5)
  
• Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you pursue this challenge.
2. Document your thoughts by using a method you are comfortable with (e.g., writing, typing or a digital voice and/or video message).
3. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to perform this challenge.
4. Avoid complacency because of familiarity with the passage of Scripture.
5. Be careful to make the connections between what Jesus does (activity) and who Jesus is (identity).
6. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity, so his activities and identity are always aligned. Consider areas in your life where your activities don’t match your identity in Christ.
7. Think of other passages of Scripture that also exhibit the attribute(s) of Jesus that you have identified.
8. Discuss your responses with others.
9. Preserve your documentation for future reflection.
10. Thank God for making you a “new creation” with the potential to demonstrate His communicable attributes.

¹² And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. ¹³ He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” ¹⁴ And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵ But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, ¹⁶ and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” ¹⁷ And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. (Matthew 21:12-17, English Standard Version)

Introduction

Our sixth and final challenge focuses on attributes of God that we observe during Holy Week.  The attributes displayed by Jesus during Holy Week are evident throughout His entire earthly ministry.  However, there is something about the emotional and spiritual intensity of the days leading up to the cross that brings certain attributes of God into sharp focus. 

God’s attributes can be categorized into two buckets.  There are incommunicable attributes (unattainable), which are unique to God’s divine nature.  Examples are omnipotence, omniscience, and self-existence.  Then there are communicable attributes (attainable), which are divine qualities that humans can achieve to some degree.  Examples are love, mercy, and goodness. 

We can examine Scripture passages about Holy Week to find communicable attributes displayed by Jesus. By reflecting on these attributes, we gain insights into who we have been “born again” to be. 

Challenge #6 – God’s Attributes 

For Monday through Friday of Holy Week please read the assigned passage of Scripture below and document your answers to the following questions:

1. What is a communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to you?
2. In what areas can you demonstrate this attribute more effectively?
3. What do your answers prompt you to pray about?

As an example of what is expected, here are possible responses based on an examination of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:28-44):

1. The communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to me is His compassion.  He wept (verse 35) and was deeply moved (verse 38).
2. I can seek to better understand the pain of others.
3. I am thankful for the example set by Jesus and solicit his continued work in me to make me more in-tune with the suffering of those around me.

Assigned Scripture Passages:

• Monday – The Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
  
• Tuesday – Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
  
• Wednesday – Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
  
• Thursday – Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-5)
  
• Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you pursue this challenge.
2. Document your thoughts by using a method you are comfortable with (e.g., writing, typing or a digital voice and/or video message).
3. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to perform this challenge.
4. Avoid complacency because of familiarity with the passage of Scripture.
5. Be careful to make the connections between what Jesus does (activity) and who Jesus is (identity).
6. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity, so his activities and identity are always aligned. Consider areas in your life where your activities don’t match your identity in Christ.
7. Think of other passages of Scripture that also exhibit the attribute(s) of Jesus that you have identified.
8. Discuss your responses with others.
9. Preserve your documentation for future reflection.
10. Thank God for making you a “new creation” with the potential to demonstrate His communicable attributes.

¹ Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” ⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ⁵ “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” ⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. ⁸ Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” ¹⁰ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” ¹¹ And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11, English Standard Version)

Introduction

Our sixth and final challenge focuses on attributes of God that we observe during Holy Week.  The attributes displayed by Jesus during Holy Week are evident throughout His entire earthly ministry.  However, there is something about the emotional and spiritual intensity of the days leading up to the cross that brings certain attributes of God into sharp focus. 

God’s attributes can be categorized into two buckets.  There are incommunicable attributes (unattainable), which are unique to God’s divine nature.  Examples are omnipotence, omniscience, and self-existence.  Then there are communicable attributes (attainable), which are divine qualities that humans can achieve to some degree.  Examples are love, mercy, and goodness. 

We can examine Scripture passages about Holy Week to find communicable attributes displayed by Jesus. By reflecting on these attributes, we gain insights into who we have been “born again” to be. 

Challenge #6 – God’s Attributes 

For Monday through Friday of Holy Week please read the assigned passage of Scripture below and document your answers to the following questions:

1. What is a communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to you?
2. In what areas can you demonstrate this attribute more effectively?
3. What do your answers prompt you to pray about?

As an example of what is expected, here are possible responses based on an examination of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:28-44):

1. The communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to me is His compassion.  He wept (verse 35) and was deeply moved (verse 38).
2. I can seek to better understand the pain of others.
3. I am thankful for the example set by Jesus and solicit his continued work in me to make me more in-tune with the suffering of those around me.

Assigned Scripture Passages:

• Monday – The Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
  
• Tuesday – Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
  
• Wednesday – Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
  
• Thursday – Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-5)
  
• Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you pursue this challenge.
2. Document your thoughts by using a method you are comfortable with (e.g., writing, typing or a digital voice and/or video message).
3. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to perform this challenge.
4. Avoid complacency because of familiarity with the passage of Scripture.
5. Be careful to make the connections between what Jesus does (activity) and who Jesus is (identity).
6. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity, so his activities and identity are always aligned. Consider areas in your life where your activities don’t match your identity in Christ.
7. Think of other passages of Scripture that also exhibit the attribute(s) of Jesus that you have identified.
8. Discuss your responses with others.
9. Preserve your documentation for future reflection.
10. Thank God for making you a “new creation” with the potential to demonstrate His communicable attributes.