Luke 23:33–46; John 19:26–30

The Savior’s Compassion on the Cross

The things Jesus said while He was on the cross show His character and divine attributes. As you study, seek to increase your desire to be more like Jesus Christ as you learn from His example when He was crucified.

Establishing a sense of purpose. Having a unified purpose that is clear to both teachers and students can increase faith and give direction and meaning to the classroom experience.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share about someone they know who has shown compassion or mercy even while experiencing difficult challenges.

Possible Learning Activities

Looking out for others

Ponder the following questions: Do you often show compassion to others? Why or why not?

In your study journal, list situations where it might be difficult for you to care about the concerns and well-being of others. Explain why those situations make it difficult for you to do so.

Instead of listing these situations in their journal, students could list their responses on the board. Alternatively, a student could stand at the board as a scribe while the class has two minutes to list as many responses as they can and explain their answers after they list them.

Consider responding to the following prompt in your study journal:

How could your life be better if you showed compassion to others even when you were in difficult circumstances?

In this lesson you will have the opportunity to study the Savior’s example of reaching out to others even during His painful experience on the cross. As you study the Savior’s example, seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help you desire to be more like Him.

Experiences prior to and during the Crucifixion

Recall the Savior’s experiences prior to and during His Crucifixion:

Consider inviting students to recall the following details rather than telling them. It may be useful to display pictures of some or all of the following events.

He suffered for the sins of the world in Gethsemane (see Luke 22:39–44).
He was betrayed by Judas and forsaken by His Apostles (see Mark 14:43–50).
He was tried, beaten, and spit on by Jewish leaders (see Matthew 26:57–68).
He was questioned by both Pilate and Herod and was mocked by Herod and his soldiers (Luke 23:1–24).
He was brutally beaten and scourged by Roman soldiers (see Matthew 27:26–31).
He carried His cross at least part of the way to Golgotha (see John 19:16–17).
He had nails driven through His hands and feet and was crucified between two thieves (see Luke 23:33; see also John 20:25).
He hung on the cross (see Matthew 27:45–50; Mark 15:25).

Think about how these events affect how you feel toward the Savior and what He endured for you. Read the following passages, which contain statements the Savior made while He was on the cross. Identify truths about Jesus Christ from His statements, and list them in your study journal.

Display the following contextual helps and scripture passages:

Luke 23:33–34. The Savior spoke these words about the soldiers who crucified Him (see Joseph Smith Translation of this verse in Luke 23:34, footnote c).
Luke 23:39–43. These verses record what the thieves who were crucified with the Savior said and how the Savior responded. (Note that the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that when the Savior referred to this thief being with him in paradise, He was teaching him that “I will be with thee in the world of spirits & will teach thee or answer thy inquiries” [“Discourse, 11 June 1843–A, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff,” 44, josephsmithpapers.org]).
John 19:26–27. These verses record what the Savior said to His mother, Mary, and to the Apostle John.

Invite students to share what they wrote down. Consider asking follow-up questions, such as the one below:

What did you learn about Jesus Christ that was most meaningful to you? Why?

As students share, consider writing their answers on the board. Students might mention principles like the following:

We can follow Jesus Christ’s example by choosing to forgive those who mistreat us. We can follow Jesus Christ’s example by choosing to help others even when we are in need.

In what ways do you want to be like the Savior? Why?

The Savior did not only think about the Roman soldiers, the thieves, and His mother while on the cross. President Russell M. Nelson taught an additional way the Savior focused on others while He was in agony.

As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross’ [Hebrews 12:2]. Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!

And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families.

(Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82–83).

What did the Savior focus on while He suffered for us?
What did President Nelson teach you about the Savior’s desires for you?

Ponder for a moment the truth that while the Savior was on the cross, He focused on you and the joy of helping you return to Heavenly Father.

What difference can it make in your life to understand this truth? Why would this knowledge make such a difference for you?

Invite students to recall their thoughts and feelings from their preparation for class.
When have you helped someone while you were experiencing a challenge, or when has someone done this for you?

If it would help to see an example, watch “Love One Another as He Has Loved Us,” located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 3:22 to 7:54.Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost by pondering the Savior’s example and what you have felt today. Identify ways you can be more like Jesus Christ in showing love and compassion to others even during your own challenges. Then record these ways in your study journal. Review the list you made, and prayerfully select one of the ways you can be more like Jesus Christ. Identify it in your journal entry. Pray and look for opportunities to follow through on this action.

Encourage willing students to share what they plan on doing to follow the Savior’s example. Consider sharing a relevant personal story or testimony to conclude class.

“It is finished”

After suffering several hours on the cross, the Savior uttered His final words.

Read John 19:28–30 and Luke 23:46. Mark the Savior’s final statements in mortality.

What can these statements help us understand about the Savior and His mission?

Like the Savior, we can complete what the Father wants us to do in our lives. Remember this as you seek to follow through on what you decided to apply today.

Commentary and Background Information

John 19:27. What can we learn from the Savior’s statement “Behold thy mother”?

We can follow the example of Jesus Christ as we strive to recognize, love, and care for our mothers. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles paid tribute to righteous mothers and compared their love to the love of the Savior.

Watch “Behold Thy Mother,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:20 to 2:53.

How does helping others when we are struggling shape who we are becoming?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Character is revealed … in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward. If such a capacity is indeed the ultimate criterion of moral character, then the Savior of the world is the perfect example of such a consistent and charitable character.

(David A. Bednar, “The Character of Christ” [Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, Jan. 25, 2003], byui.edu)

What blessings can come as we serve others when things are hard for us?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

We must notice the tribulation of others and try to help. That will be especially hard when we are being sorely tested ourselves. But we will discover as we lift another’s burden, even a little, that our backs are strengthened and we sense a light in the darkness.

(Henry B. Eyring, “Tested, Proved, and Polished,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 98)

Supplemental Learning Activity

John 19:30. “It is finished”

To help students reflect on what they have learned about what the Savior did for them in Gethsemane and on the cross, invite them to review the Savior’s statement “It is finished” (John 19:30). This statement could be written on the board, and students could copy it in their study journals. Then around this phrase they could write all that the Savior “finished” for them. They could then be invited to think about what they will do because of what He has done for them.