Thursdayhttps://vimeo.com/89420081In Jewish reckoning, a new day began at nightfall, so Wednesday nightfall to Thursday nightfall was the day of preparation for the Passover meal.

The Passover meal itself – including 1. Roasted Lamb2. Bitter Herbs 3. Unleavened Bread 4. Fruit Sauce 5. Four cups of Wine

The meal would have been shared after sundown that evening (Nisan 15) Thursday nightfall to Friday nightfall). In the original Passover, the blood of the lambs had been applied to the homes of the Israelites in Egypt to protect them from the outpouring of God’s judgment upon the Egyptians. Matthew alone records Jesus tells his disciples that His time is at hand on the morning of the day on which the Passover lamb was sacrificed.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE PASSOVER

1. What O.T. event did the Passover celebrate (Ex. 12:7, 12–13, 22–28)? What was the significance of this for the timing of Jesus’s death? The Passover. The N.T. establishes a relationship between this prototypical Passover lamb and the consummate Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ ( 1 Corinthians 5:7 ).   As the first Passover marked the Hebrews’ release from Egyptian slavery, so the death of Christ marks our release from the slavery of sin ( Romans 8:2 ).

2. Why were the preparations undertaken with a degree of secrecy? Jesus didn't want to be captured any earlier than he has to. He had a timetable because he is the Maestro.

THE FINAL PASSOVER: THE SYNOPTICS

3. Jesus continued to reveal that he knew what was to come.

What did he share in Matthew 26:20 that none of his disciples (except one) would have expected? That there was a betrayer among them. Psalms 69:25 & Acts 1:16,20.

Why was this news so upsetting to the disciples? Because all of them declared loyalty to Jesus that they are willing to die with him, not Judas who did not sign up for that. What are some of the ways that this was the “last supper”? As the first Passover was to be held in remembrance as an annual feast, so Christians are to memorialize (to remember) the Lord’s death in   communion   until He returns.

4. From the very beginning, Christians have held to and practiced the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Why is the practice so important? The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant when Christ, the Passover Lamb ( 1 Corinthians 5:7 ), was sacrificed ( Hebrews 8:8-13 ). The sacrificial system was no longer needed ( Hebrews 9:25- 28 ). The Lord’s Supper/Christian Communion is a remembrance of what Christ did for us and a celebration of what we receive as a result of His sacrifice. See Luke 22:19 and 1 Cor. 11:26. Celebration of the Lord’s Supper in local church

involves both a looking back to Christ’s sacrifice and a looking ahead to his return.

5. Jesus himself explained the significance of the bread and wine. What do these elements symbolize? Jesus declared that the bread spoke of His body which would be broken. There was not a broken bone, but His body was so badly tortured that it was hardly recognizable ( Psalm 22:12-17 ;   Isaiah 53:4-7 ). The wine spoke of His blood, indicating the terrible death He would soon experience.  

6. What does it mean that Jesus’s blood is poured out “for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28); “for many” (Mark 14:24); and “for you” (Luke 22:19)? Theologians often discuss this language in terms of the substitutionary nature of Jesus’s death. What does that mean? This verse indicates that Jesus death would establish a new relationship between God and man. You see under the old Mosaic covenant, a man and woman discovered that they were sinners because they were to keep the law completely which is impossible. Paul in Gal 3:24 that “the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” But under the new covenant, Jesus remove man’s sins when one believes and trust in Him for Salvation. In other words their sins were canceled when one believes. Hebrews 10 tells us that the old covenant could never remove sins since the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. The New Covenant gave spiritual life by a new and better way- Heb10:19-20.

THE LAST SUPPER AND JESUS’S CLEANSING OF HIS COMMUNITY

7. In contrast to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, what did John emphasize and record during this final supper? John’s gospel avoids giving us another description of this ceremony. John instead concluded with the Lord’s “high priestly prayer” of intercession for His followers, which may have been prayed during the meal time, or at Gethsemane

8. Which themes occur repeatedly throughout the Farewell Discourse (John 13–17)? Briefly scan the Farewell Discourse in John and look for the presence of these themes: mission, love, joy, and peace. The relations between the Father, the Son and the Spirit are described in more detail here than anywhere else in the Bible. In these chapters, therefore, is the most profound teaching on God and discipleship in the Bible. The keynote of these chapters is assurance & comfort in the face of two difficulties coming upon the disciples, Jesus' death and their own persecution. He prepares them for his death and the coming of the Holy Spirit, now called the Paraclete.

9. What lesson about the forgiveness of sins does Jesus teach through Peter’s misunderstanding of the foot washing? Jesus tells us that once your inner man has been bathed in redemption, you are eternally clean. From that point on, you do not need a new bath meaning you do not need to be redeemed again. Every time you commit a sin. All God has to do is daily get the dust off your feet. You see positionally, you are clean, but on the practical side, you need washing every day, as you walk through the world and get dirty feet. This spiritual washing is what   1 John 1:9   means "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us [who will keep on cleaning." Jesus knew which of the disciples were truly cleansed by redemption.

10. What broader lesson about sacrificial servant leadership did Jesus communicate through his humiliating symbolic action? When you are tempted to think of your dignity, your prestige, or your rights, just open your Bible to John 13   and get a good look at Jesus clothed like a slave, kneeling, washing dirt off the feet of sinful men who are utterly indifferent to His impending death. To go from being God in glory to washing the feet of sinful disciples (vv. 4-5) is a long step. The majestic, glorious God of the universe comes to earth that's humility then He kneels on the ground to wash the feet of sinful men—that's indescribable humility.

11. How do Paul’s remarks in Philippians 2:1–8 relate to Jesus’s lesson in John 13:1–15? What should our response be (v. 15)?The focus here is not on the foot washing but on the attitude. Jesus is actually saying, "Behave in the same manner as I have behaved." The example we are to follow is not the washing of feet, it is His humility. So do not minimize the lesson by trying to make foot washing the important point, it’s Jesus' humility is the real lesson. It is a practical humility that rules every area of life, every day of life, in every experience of life. The result of that kind of humility is always loving service. A servant leader welcomes the menial and humiliating tasks for the glory of Jesus Christ.  

12. Discuss the relationship between Satan’s influence and Judas’s choices (Jn 13:2,27).The gospels report that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot twice, but they reveal the influence of Satan upon Judas only for the first entrance. Luke 22:3   reports the first entrance of Satan into Judas, and   John 13:2   gives an explicit statement

of Satan's influence - the devil "put into the heart of Judas Iscariot. The fact that there is a 2 nd entrance of Satan into Judas implies that there is a departure of Satan from him.

THE FAREWELL DISCOURSE BEGINS - (JOHN 13:31–14:31)

13. Read John 13:31–14:31 while thinking about the particular context and timing of this instruction. What statements are particularly significant in light of the fact that this is the last opportunity that Jesus will have to teach his disciples before his crucifixion? Consider the necessity of love, the clear statement that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and the indispensable future role of the Holy Spirit in light of Jesus’s coming bodily absence. In these words, Jesus was declaring Himself the great “I Am,” the only path to heaven, the only true measure of righteousness, and the source of both physical and spiritual life. He was staking His claim as the very God of Creation, the Lord who blessed Abraham, and the Holy One who inhabits eternity. He did this so the disciples would be able to face the dark days ahead and carry on the mission of declaring the gospel to the world. Scripture tells us that they still didn’t understand, and it took several visits from the risen Lord to shake them out of their disbelief, but once they got the truth, they became changed people, and the world has never been the same.

14. What defining characteristic does a follower of Christ need to possess, according to John 13:34–35? The level of love that Jesus love his disciples. Agape kind of love. Reflect on your own life, attitudes, and choices. How are you reflecting this characteristic for those around you in your family, your church, your workplace, and your community?

15. Although we cannot be certain, based upon Jewish tradition it is likely that Jesus and his disciples sang Ps. 118 after the Passover meal before departing for the garden. Read and reflect on its significance for Jesus at this crucial point in his life. Give particular attention to vv. 22–23. These psalms were typical sang during Passover and other festivals. This Psalm is a call to worship God for his steadfast love and faithfulness.   As Christ left the upper room, singing with his disciples, “This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it” he knew everything that ‘this day’ would include. And yet it was for the joy set before him that he endured the Cross. And it is because of this same joy set before us that we can rejoice every day.

THE FAREWELL DISCOURSE CONTINUES

16. There are many points of application that can be drawn from Jesus’s discussion of the vine and the branches in John 15:1–17. Read the passage and identify one aspect of Jesus’s teaching that you find particularly important to reflect on at this point in

your life. The one aspect for me is the word “abide,” because some people believes that it’s possible to be saved but not “abide.” In which case we would be cast away. The Bible is clear that salvation comes by grace and is maintained by grace ( Gal 3:2–3 ). Also, if a branch could somehow fall away from the vine, resulting in the loss of salvation, then other, very clear passages of Scripture would be contradicted. It is best to interpret the   True Vine   metaphor this way: Jesus is the True Vine, obviously. The branches who “abide” in Him are the truly saved—they have a real connection.

17. Although the world’s hatred of Jesus’s followers has been an incredible source of pain over the centuries, what comfort can be drawn from Jesus’s words in John 15:18–16:4a in light of continuing hostility from nonbelievers? Reflect the love of Christ.   We must learn to love the world when we are hated and persecuted. We must continually avoid the temptation to fight back and be rude, combative, harsh, or vindictive. When we behave in this manner, we lose our witness. Recognize that Jesus’ love is the only proper response to persecution. Only He can soften hearts and cause our enemies to be receptive to Him. Have you ever experienced the hatred of the world because of your allegiance to

Jesus? Discuss recent examples of global persecution.

18. What is the main advantage of Jesus’s departure, which he discusses in Jn 16:4b–15?See attachment: 11 Benefits of the Holy Spirit

19. Summarize the main points of Jesus’s prayer to God:

For himself (John 17:1–5) Prayer for the Father to glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you. Jesus tells his Father its time him to die, so that he can fulfill the necessary requirement for (redemption) salvation. It was time for the justice of God to be fulfilled.

For his disciples (John 17:6–19) https://bible.org/seriespage/35-high-priestly-prayer-jesus-john-17

For future believers (John 17:20–26).

How can Jesus’s prayer serve as a model for us as we pray for ourselves and others? I would suggest that this prayer provides us with an excellent model for prayer on behalf of another Christian. It seeks the glory of God, even at the price of personal suffering, assured that what is for God’s glory is ultimately for our good (indeed, our best). It confidently petitions for divine protection, not from suffering, but from Satan, spiritual collapse, and opposition. It seeks a greater unity among true believers, and looks ultimately for a reunion with our Lord.

JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIALS

20. What are some possible reasons or explanations for Peter’s contradiction of Jesus’s prediction? It is quite possible that arrogance or self-confidence played a role. Do these attitudes ever set you up for failure? See Paul’s warning in 1 Cor. 10:12. Boasted too much, listened too little, prayed too little, acted too fast, followed too far, and as a result, he fell too low. It’s a great lesson for us to learn. Not to be overconfident, but to understand the weakness of our flesh.

21. Compare Jesus’s prayer for Peter in Luke 22:32 with his prayer for his disciples in John 17:6–19. Same prayer for protection from the evil one. Spiritual Warfare.

JESUS ISSUES FINAL PRACTICAL COMMANDS

22. Discuss the possible interpretations provided in the commentary (pp. 87–88) for Jesus’s comments about the possession of a sword. Which interpretation seems most likely? Can you think of any other possible interpretations of Jesus’s words here? See Attachment: Final Days of Jesus

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

23. What does Jesus’s need of human support and companionship during his darkest hour teach us about his humanity? Jesus needed human support because He was a man like us – even though fully divine He shared the same fears that we experience. Do you think that Jesus’s humanity is often eclipsed by discussions of his divinity? No, Jesus was fully divine and fully man at the same time.

24. Jesus’s commitment to God’s will no matter the cost is a powerful example for us to follow. Have you ever drawn strength from this account of Jesus’s submission to God’s will when you have been faced with a difficult decision? As believers we are to follow Christ's example. In Romans 15:1-3 tells us "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." When we are seeking the interests of God and His kingdom we are building up each other in the truth because we are operating as God operates.

Is obedience to God’s will always worth it, even if it results in death? How so? Resurrection triumphs over death! It did for Jesus, and it will for those who belong to him. Can you identify with the disciples’ struggle to pray? Jesus knew that the disciples would also be tested and would desperately need the strength that comes through prayer. Our need today is no different.

Good Friday https://vimeo.com/89429101The Scene is the Garden of Gethsemane. A place Judas knew because Jesus often met their with his disciples. The time was most likely after midnight, early Friday morning.

Good Friday is the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death. According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning.Meanwhile, before the third hour (9 a.m.), Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery,

beatings, & abandonment. After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment.

Before Christ was led away, soldiers spit on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his own cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross. Jesus spoke seven final statements from the cross. His first words were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34, NIV). His last were, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46, NIV) Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last and died. By 6 p.m. Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.

THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS

1. Betrayal by a close, trusted friend is painful. Judas’s betrayal even led to Jesus’s death. Have you ever experienced this kind of betrayal (of course, not to the point of death)? How have you responded to it, or how has it shaped your trust in God? Jesus in the Sermon of the Mount say’s “blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. We are to rejoice and be glad because our rewards in heaven are great. Cf: James 1:2-5

Discussion: Jesus demonstrated his submission to God’s will by the exercise of restraint. He could have escaped, fought back, or called upon divine angelic intervention to protect him. Is your commitment to God’s will enough to sustain you through difficult or dangerous times, or do you seek the easiest way out? Faithful submission is not a human attribute that can be sustained by willpower alone. We desperately need God’s help.

Take a minute to reflect on times in your life when you have compromised your own convictions in order to find an easier way out of a situation or problem. Right now if you are facing such a choice, take a moment to pray to God for strength and commitment to follow God’s will in the matter, no matter the cost.

THE JEWISH TRIAL OF JESUS (PHASE 1): INFORMAL

2. What do you think motivated Annas’s questions to Jesus about his disciples and teaching? Was he gloating, trying to trap Jesus, or trying to give Jesus a way out of the situation through confession and repentance? Annas was trying to tray Jesus to confess that He is God. So he can charge Jesus w/ blasphemy. This has been their plan all along.

3. Summarize Jesus’s response to Annas. Jesus' response to the questioning was calm, dignified, but non-committal. He refused to give specific answers to Annas' questions, and this was interpreted as a lack of respect.   No wonder he was struck for this.

THE JEWISH TRIAL OF JESUS (PHASE 2): MORE FORMAL5. What separates this stage of Jesus’s trial from the previous stage? What made it “more

formal”? The third stage of Jesus’ legal proceedings was the formal decision of the

Sanhedrin, which was rendered at dawn and which resulted in Jesus being sent to Pilate. The record indicates that the primary charge finally decided upon by the Sanhedrin was blasphemy, based solely upon Jesus’ own statements. The sentence pronounced was death, but because the council was powerless to impose the death penalty, they needed to send Jesus to Pilate for execution.

6. Why were the Jewish leaders in such a hurry to expedite the trial? What would happen once the city woke up if they did not quickly arrive at a valid sentence? One of the most intriguing aspects of the trial of Jesus is the degree to which the Jewish authorities violated their own legal principles and procedures in their rush to condemn Jesus. Jewish law provided that no trials were to be conducted at night, and yet Jesus was 2x subjected to nighttime legal interrogations. The fact that the Sanhedrin held a special dawn meeting to pass the official sentence suggests their desperation to get rid of Jesus before the city woke meaning the people to stop the preceding. Desperate act.

7. What charges did they bring against Jesus, and why did the charges not stick? Probably the most outrageous violations involved the Sanhedrin’s merit of accusation, the judges assumed the role of accuser and began fabricating a charge to justify Jesus’ arrest. When one charge wouldn’t work, they would simply try another, and finally invented an altogether new charge for Pilate’s consideration. No charge ever even came close to having collaborative testimony. The requirement of justice is to begin w/ every effort to disprove any charges brought before them, but in the case of Jesus, just the opposite was done. They used every probable effort was made to incriminate him.

8. Read Isaiah 52:13–53:12. How does Jesus’s fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7 during the trial lead us to read the entire section from Isaiah in light of his death? How does the Isaiah text help us understand the significance of Jesus’s death? Isaiah 53 must be understood as referring to the coming Davidic King, the Messiah. King Messiah was prophesied to suffer and die to pay for our sins and then rise again. He would serve as a priest to the nations of the world and apply the blood of atonement to cleanse those who believe. There is One alone to whom this can refer, Jesus Christ! And those who confess him are his children, his promised offspring, and the spoils of his victory. According to the testimony of the Apostles, Jesus died for our sins, rose again, ascended to the right hand of God, and now serves as our great High Priest who cleanses us of sin (Heb. 2:17; 8:1). Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, is the one Isaiah foresaw.

9. When Jesus finally breaks his silence, he explosively applies both Dan. 7:13–14 and Ps. 110:1–2 to himself. Why did Jesus’s comments create such a response? How did they provide the Jewish leaders with both political and theological grounds for pursuing the death penalty? What he says here is the key to his claims and his guilty verdict "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."   The

Greek refers to the "right hand of the power of God." Both the translation emphasizes God's sovereign might. The claim here is extensive. It was not a crime in ancient Judaism to claim to be Messiah, but Jesus is saying more than this. He is claiming to be able to go directly into God's presence and rule at the divinity's side from heaven.

10. How do Jesus’s beatings fulfill Old Testament prophecy? It was fulfilled exactly as

the prophets described. Confidence in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible.

PETER DENIES JESUS

11. How did Peter’s actions initially seem to confirm his earlier promises of loyalty unto death? What level of danger was he in by his commitment to stay as close as possible to Jesus through the trials? It is during this time that Peter has his public oral exam on his faithfulness and relationship to Jesus. Having failed, Peter learns that resisting peer pressure can be tougher than he had imagined. It is easy to fall when one is surrounded by hostility and fails to look to the Lord for strength.

12. What gave Peter away despite his attempts to blend in with those in the courtyard? When Peter's face becomes visible and his thick accent, a servant girl stares at him, recognizing him as one of the disciples. She announces the surprising guest to the crowd with the simple words   "This man was with him."

13. How did Peter strengthen his denials of Jesus in an attempt to convince his questioners that he was telling the truth? How did these additional statements compound his guilt? Peter denies any knowledge of Jesus. Jesus' glance rock Peter's memory.   Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him.   Peter's failure prompts his departure and painful tears. It is easy to claim Jesus in the solitude of one's living room among like-minded friends, but it can be hard to do so in public. His nerve has failed, and it stabbed his heart. He knows what he did.

14. Have you ever felt like Peter felt once he became fully aware of the weight of his betrayal and sin? Did your response mirror Peter’s? Because of his oaths and self-inflicted curse, Peter likely felt that there was no place for forgiveness. He did not know at the time that Jesus was about to bear the consequences of the curse and the full outpouring of God’s judgment upon sin. Jesus knows his heart and will soon restore him. A restoration he had prepared him for earlier (Lk 22:32). Failure can be a means of growth; by God's grace we can learn from our mistakes.

THE JEWISH TRIAL OF JESUS (PHASE 3): THE FINAL VERDICT

15. Why was the third phase of the trial important even though it was a mere formality?The third charge is that he   "claims to be Christ, a king."   Here the threat of an opposing ruler is made explicit. Is Pilate being careless on his watch, allowing revolution to foment under his very nose? Jesus is painted as a dangerous revolutionary. It is Pilate's obligation to Caesar to stop him. Politically & personally, these charges push all the right buttons.

JUDAS HANGS HIMSELF

16. What are the reasons, for and against, for thinking that Judas’s repentance did not lead to salvation? There is a difference between repentance and remorse. Remorse is being sorry you got caught.   Judas Iscariot was remorseful about his betrayal of Jesus. He knew Jesus was innocent. He knew what he did was wrong. Proof that Judas’s sorrow was ungodly and selfish is seen in the fact that he made no effort to defend or rescue Jesus. He had no desire to vindicate or save Jesus but only to salve his own conscience, which he attempted to do by returning   the thirty pieces of silver

17. How does 2 Corinthians 7:10 communicate the truths that are illustrated by both Peter and Judas? Genuine sorrow for sin can be prompted by God in order to produce repentance as Paul say’s in   2 Cor. 7:10 . But Judas’s   remorse   was not prompted by God to lead to repentance but only to guilt and despair.

THE ROMAN TRIAL OF JESUS (PHASE 1): PILATE

18. Why was it necessary for the Jewish leaders to deliver Jesus to Pilate? Why couldn’t they just kill Jesus themselves? With Jesus in hand and a guilty verdict in place, there is only one more hurdle to Jesus' removal. The leadership needs the Roman govt. support. A death penalty could not be executed unless Rome issued it.

19. Although the Jewish trial focused on the theological charge of blasphemy, Pilate did not care about this charge. What charge did the Jewish leaders highlight when they handed Jesus over to Pilate, and what was the only thing Pilate needed to know to determine his verdict? That Jesus was a Revolutionary leader who wants to cause unrest to Palestine. Such unrest would be of concern to Pilate, because anyone who stirred up Jewish religious sensibilities could be a source of political upheaval.

20. What three examples did the Jewish leaders give to try to demonstrate to Pilate that Jesus was a threat to Roman rule? Example # 1 This charge concerning the poll tax is patently false, as 20:25 has

already shown. But the charge is clever, because one of Pilate's major political responsibility is the collection of taxes for Rome.

Example # 2 A second charge is also a source of concern. Since taxes goes to Caesar, raising the issue of Pilate's personal loyalty or disloyalty and failure to act against one who opposes Caesar means one is not a friend of Caesar either. Servants of Rome unfaithful to Caesar are not servants for long!

Example # 3 The third charge is that he "claims to be Christ, a king." Here the threat of an opposing ruler is made explicit. Is Pilate being careless on his watch, allowing revolution to foment under his very nose? It is Pilate's obligation to Caesar to stop him.

21. Summarize the essence of Jesus’s response to Pilate. Was he a political threat to Rome in the way the Jewish leaders were indicating? John 18:33-38 shows a longer questioning in which Jesus responds to the kingship charge by stating that his kingdom is not of this world. Luke in contrast has Jesus answer Pilate's question whether he is   king of the Jews   with a qualified affirmation, "You have said so." The NIV renders the force of the indirect reply,   "Yes, it is as you say."   Though there is truth in the charge, it is not the direct threat that the Jews imply.

22. What was Pilate’s initial verdict concerning Jesus? His judgment is that he finds   no

basis for a charge against this man.   Pilate will declare Jesus innocent several times in this chapter (vv. 14-15, 22). This should bring the trial's end and Jesus' release, but Luke is proving that Jesus was an innocent sacrifice. If justice had prevailed, the arrest would have ended here and Jesus' ministry would have resumed.

23. What caused Pilate to back down from his verdict, and how did the presence of Herod in Jerusalem provide him with a possible way out of the tricky situation? Under such pressure, Pilate does what many politicians do: he passes the buck and lets someone else make the tough call. When Pilate discovers that Jesus is Galilean, he sends Jesus over to Herod. Let the Jewish ruler decide the matter; let him take the heat. If Pilate has problems later, he can always say, "Herod made me do it."

THE ROMAN TRIAL OF JESUS (PHASE 2): HEROD ANTIPAS

24. What was the extent of Herod’s interest in Jesus? When Jesus is brought before him, Herod hopes for a show, for he has been longing to see Jesus work miracles. But Jesus is not an entertainer given to fulfilling curiosity. With his innocence proven in the previous examination, Jesus takes a new defense tactic. He remains silent. No longer will he answer any questions.

25. Did Jesus’s trial before Herod help Pilate make his decision?

The disrespect that Herod shows to Jesus was predicted in Luke 18:32. Herod's ruling is mentioned in v. 15. Herod's comical antics show that he sees no threat in Jesus. Pilate's move reaps the dividend of Herod's appreciation. Where there had been enmity, now there is friendship, for Pilate has shown respect for Herod's position. Jesus has become a political pawn. Since he has been declared innocent by two leaders, justice would say that Jesus should be released. Only one issue injustice and destiny are at work.

THE ROMAN TRIAL OF JESUS (PHASE 3): THE FINAL VERDICT

26. Upon the return of Jesus from Herod, Pilate again declared his verdict. What was his verdict, and why did the Jewish leaders not accept it? The scene begins with Pilate's attempt to release Jesus. He addresses everyone— the chief priests, the rulers and the people.   Pilate is clear that he regards the Jews as having   "no basis for your charges against him."   Herod has taken the same position: there is nothing deserving death in Jesus.

27. What did Pilate do next to try to get Jesus off the hook? What was the outcome? Pilate proposes a compromise: he will beat Jesus and then release him. The beating would be either the less severe   than the dreaded   one, which would leave one on the edge of death. The whip used possessed short teeth that would cut the skin and lead to bleeding. Pilate supposes that punishment would calm the leadership.

28. What explains the shift in the attitude of the crowd from the excitement of the triumphal entry to the call for Barabbas’s release instead of Jesus’s? Until this point, the common people have been strongly supportive of Jesus. On a few occasions the leadership had found it prudent not to carry out its threats against Jesus because of the people. But now the people react against Jesus stopping Pilate's attempt to release him. They choose a violent insurrectionist and murderer over Jesus. A shock Pilate tries to persuade them otherwise. Luke explicitly states that Pilate wants   to release Jesus.   But the crowd insists on Jesus' execution.

In addition to the activity of the Jewish leadership and the charge of blasphemy, it is also likely that the crowd at the triumphal entry was made up primarily of Galilean pilgrims, and the crowd calling for Barabbas were residents of Jerusalem who would have been more loyal to the established Jewish leadership.

29. What is so startling about Jesus’s response to Pilate in John 19:11? With great intrepidity and courage, with freedom and boldness, as being not at all dismayed with his threatenings, or affected with his proud boasts, and in order to expose the vanity of them.

30. What statement do the Jewish leaders make to Pilate in John 19:12, and why would this statement have functioned as a forceful and direct threat? This was a piece of craftiness in them, for nothing could more nearly affect Pilate, than an insinuation of friendship and fidelity to Tiberius, who was then Caesar It was a spiteful hint and carries in it a sort of threat, as if they would bring a charge against him to Caesar, should he let Jesus go with his life.

31. What is so startling and disturbing about the statement from the chief priests, “We have no king but Caesar”? (John 19:15).I t was an instance of great hypocrisy in them, to pretend a regard to Caesar, when they would have been glad to be free from government.

32. In light of an impending riot that would have resulted in significant bloodshed, Pilate gave into the demands of the crowd.

A. How did Pilate communicate that he was not responsible for the death of an innocent man? So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves."

B. Was Pilate successful in passing the blame for Jesus’s death onto the Jewish people? No, but at the core, Jesus' death was an act of the Son's obedience to the Father's will. And Jesus Himself in was in absolute control. He said in John 10:17, "I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." Do not think for a moment that anyone could kill Jesus against His will.

THE ROAD TO GOLGOTHA

33. What was so ironic about the way the soldiers dressed Jesus as a pretend emperor with a robe and a crown of thorns? God is not mocked, Paul tells us. Matthew’s Passion narrative (Matt. 27:27-44), however, suggests otherwise. The soldiers mocked Jesus out of ignorance because they heard clearly that Jesus was the king of the Jews. They also wanted to know if Jesus could revenge or protect Himself as He ''Jesus'' claimed to king.The soldiers might be acting on oders from Roman empire as their custom was to mock and crucify anybody against their law.

34. How does Mark’s mention of Simon’s two sons and the likely presence of one of the sons in Rome a few decades later (Rom. 16:13) introduce a note of redemption and grace into the terrifying narrative? Mark mention names in a gospel he is writing to brethren a continent away? Well, one reason would be that those in Rome

knew either Alexander or Rufus or both. In fact, when Paul writes to the Romans, he mentions Rufus by name in his greetings at the end of the letter: "Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine." (Rom. 16:13).   A half a generation later, a member of the body at Rome. I wonder how many times he had heard his father tell the story of the day the Roman soldiers forced him into labor on the road leading out of Jerusalem? I wonder how many times Rufus was asked by those at Rome about the event in which his father had had a role.

An early reader of Mark’s Gospel in Rome likely would have recognized immediately the significance of Mark’s mention of Simon’s sons. Rufus would have been an early eyewitness to validate the content of the Gospel narrative at this point.

THE CRUCIFIXION

35. How did Jesus’s death on the cross seem to invalidate his claims and confirm to all Jerusalem that the religious leaders were correct the entire time? The Resurrection

36. Discuss the powerful impact of Jesus’s prayer that God would forgive those who were crucifying and mocking him.

A. How did this foreshadow the forgiveness of sins that would soon be proclaimed throughout the entire world? It is important to note that Jesus’ prayer, “Father, forgive them,” does not mean that everyone was forgiven, unilaterally, without repentance and faith. It does mean that Jesus was willing to forgive them forgiveness was, in fact, the reason He was on the cross. The words “Father, forgive them” show the merciful heart of God.

B. How does this function as a model for us today? If Jesus was willing for the Father to forgive the very men who murdered him, then what sinner is beyond the reach of his mercy? Surely anyone who repents will be saved. When his enemies said, ‘Crucify!’ Jesus said, ‘Forgive,’ and a man who says that is willing to forgive anyone—even people like us, no matter what we have done, as long as we come to him in faith.”

37. How does the salvation of the repentant robber powerfully illustrate the truth that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works? As Jesus was hanging on the cross, paying our penalty for sin, He made a promise to a dying, repentant thief. By the grace of God and the power of Christ, that promise was kept. The thief’s sins were washed away, and his death that day was his entrance to paradise.

38. What was the deeper significance of the charge posted on the cross? Why did the charge become an early Christian confession, and what did the early Christians mean by it? Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews at 2x in His earthly life: At His

birth by the wise men ( Matt 2:2 ) and at His trial and subsequent crucifixion Mk. 15:2 The title King of the Jews had both messianic and political implications. Kings in Israel were anointed with oil as a sign of God’s choosing ( 1 Kings 1:39 ), and the meaning of   Messiah   is “Anointed One.”

39. Spend a minute reflecting on the reality that at the time of his death, Jesus’s possessions consisted only of the clothes on his back. Such a life could hardly be thought of as successful by the world’s standards. How did Jesus’s death fulfill various statements in Psalm 22? David wrote this a thousand years before the death of Jesus, and crucifixion hadn't been even invented. So there was nothing for David to have a reference for about hands and feet being pierced, or hanging on a cross until you're so dry that you are hungry and thirsty that you cry out, 'My God. My God, why have You forsaken Me?" There was no way for him to know that soldiers were going to gamble for his clothes

THE DEATH OF JESUS

40. Based upon the symbolism of darkness in some passages in the Old Testament, what is the significance of the supernaturally caused darkness that covered the land during Jesus’s crucifixion? It has been said that the darkness was brought about by an act of God and was expressive of His sympathy with His Son. The darkness was to Him a period when He experienced whatever He may have meant by the words, "Why have you forsaken Me?"

41. Reflect on or discuss the significance of the following words or events:o “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It was the manifestation of God’s hatred of sin, in some unexplained way, that Jesus experienced in that terrible hour. The suffering He endured was due to us, and it is that   suffering   by which we can be saved from eternal death.

o “It is finished.”He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that   He   owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin.

o The tearing of the curtain of the temple.The tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus' death dramatically symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins. It signified that now the way into the Holy of Holies was open for all

people, for all time, both Jew and Gentile.

o The Roman centurion’s statement that Jesus was the Son of God.When Jesus said “It is finished!” a Roman centurion responded, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” The people had asked a question, “Are you who you say you are?” And the soldier had answered, “Yes, He is!” I like to think that the centurion directed his testimony to no one in particular, but to anyone who happened to be listening. Our testimony of who Jesus is and what he has done in us and for us should be ready to share with anyone at the right time. There should be a constant desire and urge to tell our story in hope that someone will find Jesus.  

THE BURIAL OF JESUS

42. Consider the involvement of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus in Jesus’s burial.

A. What risks were they taking by identifying with Jesus? Excommunication, even murder.

B. What evidence did they provide that the Jewish leadership was not unanimous in its rejection of Jesus? They asked for the body of Jesus to be buried because they believed in his teaching that He will rise again after the third day.

Saturday https://vimeo.com/89436644The Gospel do not provide any information concerning the activity of the disciples on the Sabbath (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.) We can presume, however based on their actions Friday evening fearfully hiding together behind locked doors that Saturday was spent in secretive fear and dread. They were reeling from the shock of the previous day’s rapid events.

Matthew alone records activity on Saturday. The chief priest and Pharisees approach Pilate and ask him to secure the tomb until the third day (Sunday). The explain to Pilate that the imposter said after 3 days He will rise and express concern that his disciples will steal the body and proclaim a resurrection.

THE JEWISH LEADERS POST GUARDS

1. Mentally put yourself in the place of Jesus’s disciples on this Saturday and consider the wide range of emotions and thoughts they must have endured. On several occasions Jesus taught His disciples what would happen to Him as His ministry drew to its close. He told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31). Why, then, did they flee and act so frightened when He was arrested? One reason is because they didn’t understand what He was saying—but didn’t want to embarrass themselves by admitting it. The very next verse makes this clear: “But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him” (Mark 9:32). The idea that someone might die and then come back to life again was so fantastic that they just couldn’t grasp it. Another reason, I suspect, is because they were overwhelmed with disappointment by Jesus’ arrest. They had hoped He would overcome the power of the Roman government and establish a new kingdom, and now their hopes of this vanished. They were also filled with fear for their own future.

It’s easy to condemn those disciples—but how often does this happen to us? How often do we doubt God’s Word and act as if it isn’t true? For example, if you are a Christian, you know that Christ has promised to return someday to establish His everlasting kingdom—but how often do you become overwhelmed with fears about the future?

2. While the disciples hid in fear, the Pharisees were active.

A. What did they ask of Pilate? For the Body - Christianity is based in its entirety on the claim that Jesus arose from the dead. Is there any actual evidence to support such a claim?

B. Why did they ask Pilate? The chief priests and Pharisees weren’t so sure that the site was secure. Fearing that Jesus’ disciples would come to steal the body and claim that Jesus had been resurrected, the Jewish leaders came to Pilate and said, “…Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the Sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first” (Matthew 27:63,64). The purpose of the seal was to authenticate that Jesus was dead; therefore, we can know that His body was thoroughly inspected again for proof of death. There is no doubt that Jesus was dead, for He was examined again and again, even as He lay in the tomb.

Throughout the course of church history, many people have taught that Jesus’ spirit descended into hell after His death on the cross. Basing this idea on Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20, most of those who have taught that Jesus’ spirit went to hell after His death have said that He

went there to proclaim judgment to sinners and/or rescue the saints of the Old Testament. Today, many in the heretical Word of Faith movement teach that the crucifixion was insufficient to atone for our sins and that Jesus also had to suffer three days of torment in hell.

Faithfulness to all of Scripture, however, requires us to deny that Jesus’ spirit went to hell after He died. First, Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross that he would be with Christ in Paradise on the same day of their crucifixion (Luke 23:39– 43). Second, nothing in Ephesians 4:8–10 says Jesus descended into hell; Paul means only that Christ descended into the grave. Third, 1 Peter 3:18–20likely refers to the Son of God preaching by the Holy Spirit through Noah to the people of Noah’s day. Finally, Jesus finished His atoning work on the cross. The New Testament speaks of propitiation, the turning away of the Lord’s wrath, only in relation to Jesus shedding His blood on the cross (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 9:1–10:18; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; 5:6–11). Moreover, our Savior’s last words on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:30). He saw His work as completed when He died. Jesus’ spirit never went to hell, but on the cross He suffered the full wrath of God that is poured out in hell. True, the scourgings of the guards, the nails in Christ’s hands, and the other physical pains Jesus suffered manifested God’s wrath. Nevertheless, the most intense suffering Christ experienced was spiritual in nature, the hopelessness of losing the gaze of His Father’s blessing and the torment of experiencing God’s wrath for the sins of His people (Mark 15:34).

John Calvin comments, “After explaining what Christ endured in the sight of man, the Creed appropriately adds the invisible and incomprehensible judgment which he endured before God, to teach us that not only was the body of Christ given up as the price of redemption, but that there was a greater and more excellent price — that he bore in his soul the tortures of a condemned and ruined man” (Institutes 2.16.10).