April 5, 2015
This week’s study is about,
‘Jesus Passion and Resurrection’
As you experienced Easter this year was it a time for you of special focus on Jesus crucifixion, death and resurrection?
Did you learn anything new or have a deeper impression and appreciation of what Jesus went through for you and all people.
Share your answers with the others in your group and benefit from their experiences also.
Read Matthew’s account. Matthew 26:36-28:20.
Following is a summary. As you go through it pause and discuss any points of interest.
Be mindful of what was Jesus was experiencing at the different parts of His Passion, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
What was Jesus attitude and response to the way his enemies treated him and His selflessness towards others even in His great suffering?
How much importance did Jesus put on the value of knowing God’s Word, the Scriptures and it being fulfilled?
1. JESUS AGONY IN THE GARDEN. Matthew 26:36-46.
v.38 ‘My soul is crushed to the point of death…’
v.42 ‘…My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.’
v. 45 ‘….the time has come….’
2. JESUS ARREST. Matthew 26:47-56.
v.54. ‘But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?’
v.56 ‘But all this is happening to fulfil the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures. At that point the disciples deserted Him and fled.’
3. JESUS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. Matthew 26:57-68.
v.63. ‘Jesus remained silent….’
v. 65-66 ‘…blasphemy. What is your verdict? Guilty they shouted. He deserves to die.’
v. 67 ‘They began to spit in His face and beat him with their fists….’
4. PETER DENIES JESUS. Matthew 26:69-75.
v.74. ‘A curse on me if I’m lying-I don’t know the man.’
Luke 22:61. ‘At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter.’
v. 75 ‘….And he went away, weeping bitterly.’
5. JUDAS HANGS HIMSELF. Matthew 27:3-10.
v. 3-5. ‘….he (Judas) was filled with remorse…..I have sinned…Judas went out and hanged himself.’
v.6. ‘The leading priests picked up the coins. It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the treasury….. since it was payment for murder.’
6. JESUS BEFORE PILATE. Matthew 27:11-26.
v.14. ‘But Jesus made no response to any of the charges much to the governor’s surprise.’
v.22. ‘….what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’
v.23. ‘….the mob roared even louder, crucify Him.’
v.25. ‘….We take responsibility for His death-we and our children!’
v. 26. He (Pilate) ordered Jesus to be flogged with a lead-tipped whip….’
7. JESUS IS MOCKED BY THE SOLDIERS. Matthew 27:27-31.
V. 28-30. ‘They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head and they placed a reed stick in His right hand as a sceptre…. knelt before Him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and struck Him on the head with it.’
8. JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION. Matthew 27:32-44.
v. 35-37. ‘After they had nailed Him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes…A sign was fastened ….‘This is Jesus the King of the Jews.’
v. 41-43. ‘The leading priests…. Teaches of religious law….elders also mocked Jesus. He saved others….but He can’t save Himself! So He is the King of Israel, is He? Let Him come down from the cross right now and we will believe in Him! He trusted God, so let God rescue Him now if he wants Him! For he said “I am the Son of God”….’
9. JESUS’ SEVEN SAYINGS FROM THE CROSS….
Luke 23;34. “Father forgive them….”
Luke 23:43. “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
John 19:26. “Dear woman, here is your son…”
Matthew 27:46. “My God, My God, why have You abandoned me?”
John 19:28. “I am thirsty.”
John 19:30. “It is finished.”
Luke 23:46. “Father, I entrust my spirit into Your hands.”
10. THE DEATH OF JESUS Matthew 27:45-56.
v. 50. ‘Then Jesus shouted out again, and released his spirit.’
v. 51-53. ‘At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs were opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead….and appeared to many people.’
v. 54. ‘The Roman officer and other soldiers….said, “This man truly was the Son of God.”
John 19:33-37. ‘But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out….. These things happened in fulfilment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And “They will look on the One they have pierced.”
11. THE BURIAL OF JESUS. Matthew 27:57-66.
v. 57-60. ‘….Joseph, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body….He (and Nicodemus…. John 19:38-42.) placed it in his own new tomb…. Then rolled a great stone across the entrance.’
v. 62-66. The next day the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate… we request you seal the tomb… so they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.’
12. JESUS RISES FROM THE DEAD. Matthew 28:1-7.
v.1-4. ‘Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning…. There was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone… The guards shook with fear… and fell into a dead faint.’
v. 5-6. Then the angel spoke to the women… Jesus, who was crucified…. He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come see where his body was lying.’
13. THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS BRIBE THE SOLDIERS. Matthew 28:11-15.
‘….some of the guards…. Told the leading priests what happened….they decided to give them a large bribe…”You must say ,’Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole His body’.… So the guards accepted the bribe… Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.’
14. JESUS APPEARED TO HIS DISCIPLES.
John 20:14-17. (Mark16:9.) ‘She…. saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”…. “Mary” Jesus said. She turned to Him and cried out, “Rabboni!”
Luke 24:13-34. ‘That same day two of Jesus followers were walking to the village of Emmaus…. Talking about everything that had happened….Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him…. We hoped He was the Messiah…. Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the scriptures the things concerning Himself….As they sat down to eat, He (Jesus) took bread and blessed it….Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognized him…. He disappeared….”Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?”….They found the eleven disciples….who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Luke 24:35-43. ‘Suddenly Jesus was there among them…. “Why are you frightened?….Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see it is really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see I do.” Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then He asked them, “do you have something to eat?’ They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.’
Luke 24:44-49. ‘….Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures….It is also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem:”There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are my witnesses of all these things. And now I will send you the Holy Spirit, just as my father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from Heaven.’
FURTHER QUESTIONS.
What did you think of the hardened, blind hearts of most of the Jewish leaders in the way they treated Jesus and then tried to cover up his resurrection?
How would you explain the different responses to failing Jesus of Judas and Peter?
Were there any things in the above account of the Easter story that surprised you, was new, helpful or challenging?
Do you have a strong desire to want to share the Good News with your unsaved family, friends, neighbours, workmates, etc?
Are there any new things God has spoken to you that he wants you to apply to your life?
Share with those in your group.