Tuesday, November 26, 2024

#237 (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42) Jesus is Laid in the Tomb - Life of Christ = Week 48 - Tuesday

Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Matthew 27:57-61
Mark 15:42-47
Luke 23:50-56
John 19:38-42

Intro Questions

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

Matthew 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke 23:50–54; John 19:38–42

Mk 15:42When it was already evening, because it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), Jn 19:38aJoseph of Arimathea [Mt 27:57aa rich man from Arimathea named Joseph], Lk 23:50aa good and righteous man, Mk 15:43ba prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, Lk 23:51awho had not agreed with their plan and action, Jn 19:38aa disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body.

Mk 15:44–45Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. 45When he found out from the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph, Jn 19:38bso he came and took His body away.

Jn 19:39–40Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. 40Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.

41There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. And in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. 42So because of the Jewish preparation day, since the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there. Mt 27:60bHe left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.[1]


[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 240). Holman Bible Publishers.




Afterwards Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jewish leaders, boldly asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body down; and Pilate told him to go ahead. So he came and took it away. Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, came too, bringing a hundred pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Together they wrapped Jesus' body in a long linen cloth saturated with the spices, as is the Jewish custom of burial. The place of crucifixion was near a grove of trees, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because of the need for haste before the Sabbath, and because the tomb was close at hand, they laid him there.

  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • What do you learn about Joseph of Arimathea? Why would he risk his reputation and status at this point?
  • What did Luke's account indicate about the women in Luke 23:55-56?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • Jesus had apparently failed, but Joseph and the women did not abandon him. What do you learn from this for your life?
  • What does Jesus' crucifixion teach you about success, power, wealth and status?
  • What can the church (or Christians) do to make God's word from the cross relevant to our needy world?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


OPEN:
  • What kind of burial would you like: Large? Small? Somber? Boisterous? Where would you prefer to be buried? Why?

DIG:

  • Why did secret believers, Joseph and Nicodemus, risk public exposure now?
  • Some say Jesus did not really die, but revived in the tomb. How do John 19:1,18, 32-34, 40 disprove this notion?



REFLECT:

  • How does your fear of others and your love for Jesus sometimes conflict?
  • In spite of past failures and fears, what will you do this week to show love for Jesus?




Changed Lives
The Gospel writers described four particular people who were changed in the process of Jesus' death. The criminal, dying on the cross beside Jesus, asked Jesus to include him in his Kingdom (Luke 23:39-43). The Roman centurion proclaimed that surely Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Joseph and Nicodemus, members of the Council and secret followers of Jesus (John 7:50-52), came out of hiding. These men were changed more by Jesus' death than by his life. They realized who Jesus was, and that realization brought out their belief, proclamation, and action. When confronted with Jesus and his death, we should be changed—to believe, proclaim, and act.


Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret followers of Jesus. Joseph was a leader and honored member of the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin). Nicodemus, also a member of the Council, had come to Jesus by night (3:1) and later tried to defend him before the other religious leaders (7:50-52). They risked their reputations to provide for Jesus' burial.


Links to other information:
* New Tomb



Monday, November 25, 2024

#236 (Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37) Jesus Dies on the Cross - Life of Christ = Week 48 - Monday

Jesus Dies on the Cross
Matthew 27:45-56
Mark 15:33-41
Luke 23:44-49
John 19:28-37

Supernatural Events Surrounding Jesus’ Death

Matthew 27:45–54; Mark 15:33–39; Luke 23:44–48; John 19:28–30

Mt 27:45–49From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. 46At about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!…” 49But the rest said, “Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him!”

Jn 19:28–30After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!” 29A vessel 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. 30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” [Lk 23:46aAnd Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, ‘into your hands I entrust My spirit’ ”]. Then bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

Mt 27:51–53Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened and many bodies of the saints who had gone to their rest were raised. 53And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.

54When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son [Lk 23:47bThis man really was righteous].”

Lk 23:48All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.[1]


Soldiers Pierce the Side of Jesus

John 19:31–37

31Since 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. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him.

33When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. 34But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. 36For these things happened so that the Scripture may be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” 37Also, another Scripture says: “They will look at the One they pierced.”


[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 238–239). Holman Bible Publishers.


Whose death (family, friend or national figure) has affected you most? Why?



That afternoon, the whole earth was covered with darkness for three hours, from noon until three o'clock. About three o'clock, Jesus shouted, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine and put it on a stick and held it up to him to drink. But the rest said, "Leave him alone. Let's see whether Elijah will come and save him."
Then Jesus shouted out again, dismissed his spirit, and died.

And look! The curtain secluding the Holiest Place in the Temple was split apart from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and rocks broke, and tombs opened, and many godly men and women who had died came back to life again. After Jesus' resurrection, they left the cemetery and went into Jerusalem, and appeared to many people there.
The soldiers at the crucifixion and their sergeant were terribly frightened by the earthquake and all that happened. They exclaimed, "Surely this was God's Son."
And many women who had come down from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and John (the sons of Zebedee).



  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • What is the meaning of the darkness (see Luke 25:53)? The torn curtain (Hebrews 9)? Jesus's prayer (Psalm 31:5)? The centurion's confession in Luke 23:47?
  • Describe the attitude with which Jesus met death in Luke 23:46
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • From the elements here, how would you describe to someone what Jesus's death was all about? How does it make difference in your view of sin and failure? Your confidence in God's love?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


OPEN:
  • What movie or book (such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Godspell," or "Jesus of Nazareth") brought home to you most vividly the events of the crucifixion?

DIG:
  • From here and throughout John's Gospel, we see that Jesus' death has a special paradoxical meaning: In what sense was Jesus' death necessary, yet voluntary? Triumphant, yet tragic? Pre-ordained, yet avoidable? Lifted up, yet laid down? Unjust, yet just? Finished, yet ongoing?

REFLECT:

  • How would you explain the need for the crucifixion to someone else?
  • How is Jesus' death real to you? How have Jesus' "blood" and "water" touched your life? What would your life be like without them?



The Cup
Jesus was not questioning God; he was quoting the first line of Psalm 22—a deep expression of the anguish he was feeling as he was taking on the sins of the world, which caused him to be separated from his Father. This was what Jesus had dreaded as he had prayed to God in the garden to take the cup from him (Matthew 26:39). The physical agony was horrible; even worse was the period of spiritual separation from his Father. Jesus suffered this double death so that we would never have to experience eternal separation from God. Jesus has gone through so much for you. What can you do for him?


We do not know how this darkness occurred, but it is clear that God caused it. Nature testified to the gravity of Jesus' death, while Jesus' friends and enemies alike fell silent in the encircling gloom. The darkness on that Friday afternoon was both physical and spiritual.


Direct Access
The tearing of the Temple curtain symbolized Christ's work on the cross. The Temple had three parts: the courts for all the people; the Holy Place, where only priests could enter; and the Most Holy Place, where the high priest alone could enter once a year to atone for the sins of the people. It was in the Most Holy Place that the Ark of the Covenant, and God's presence with it, rested. The curtain that was torn had closed off the Most Holy Place from view. At Christ's death, the barrier between God and man was split in two. Now all people can approach God directly through Christ (Hebrews 9:1-14; 10:19-22). Because of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, we have direct access to God. You can talk to God about anything, at any time. Stay close to him.


Christ's death was accompanied by at least four miraculous events: darkness, the tearing in two of the veil in the Temple, an earthquake, and dead people rising from their tombs. Jesus' death, therefore, could not have gone unnoticed. Everyone knew something significant had happened.


https://youtu.be/VgsycyHAca8


More Resources:
Mark 15:39-47 — The Powers Recognize the Reality of the Kingdom of God in Jesus
http://johnmarkhicks.com/2012/08/15/mark-1539-47-the-powers-recognize-the-reality-of-the-kingdom-of-god-in-jesus/





https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist



Links to other resources:




Jesus’ Seven Last Words from the Cross

            1.   “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

            2.   “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

            3.   “Woman here is your son … Here is your mother” (John 19:26–27).

            4.   “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34).

            5.   “I’m thirsty” (John 19:28).

            6.   “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

            7.   “Father, ‘into Your hands I entrust My spirit’ ” (Luke 23:46).


Working Document for DBS

Series Questions Jesus Asked

Title: Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts:

v  Angel Park

o   Prayer for it to be able to advance God’s kingdom.

v  Darkness at the crucifixion.

o   “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Jesus

§  A gut-wrenching question to His Father.

§  Reflect on that.

 

Text: Matthew 27:45-56

 

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?).

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

 

Summarize main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

·          Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

v  Look at the question, “Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

o   Psalm 22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

o   Why did Jesus ask the question?

§  It was our sin that separated him from the Father.

·         Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our pain and he bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

·         Psalm 22:22-24 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

·         1 John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it

Digging Questions:

·         How will you respond to this question Jesus asked?

·         What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

·         What is God calling us to do?

Take Away Challenges

·         What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

·         Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

·         What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

Hash tags #Reward #Jesus #enemies

Sunday sermon link          https://youtu.be/VgsycyHAca8

Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes

Comments and resources with some more details:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A45-56&version=NIV


Friday, November 22, 2024

#235 (Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:25-32; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27) Jesus is Placed on the Cross - Life of Christ = Week 47 - Friday

Jesus is Placed on the Cross
Matthew 27:35-44
Mark 15:25-32
Luke 23:32-43
John 19:18-27

Jesus Is Crucified

Matthew 27:35–37; Mark 15:25–26; Luke 23:32–34; John 19:18–24

Mk 15:25Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. Mt 27:36Then they sat down and were guarding Him there. Jn 19:19Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross [Mt 27:37aabove His head they put up the charge against Him in writing]. The inscription was: “JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Jn 19:20–21Many 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. 21So 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.’ ”

22Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

23When 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. 24So 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 for My clothing they cast lots.” And this is what the soldiers did.

Lk 23:34aThen Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”*




Intro Questions







After the crucifixion, the soldiers threw dice to divide up his clothes among themselves. Then they sat around and watched him as he hung there. And they put a sign above his head, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."
Two robbers were also crucified there that morning, one on either side of him. And the people passing by hurled abuse, shaking their heads at him and saying, "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well, then, come on down from the cross if you are the Son of God!"
And the chief priests and Jewish leaders also mocked him. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself! So you are the King of Israel, are you? Come down from the cross and we'll believe you! He trusted God—let God show his approval by delivering him! Didn't he say, 'I am God's Son'?"
And the robbers also threw the same in his teeth.

  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • What attitudes and motives do you see in the crowd following this death-march? In the rulers? The criminals? The soldiers? the sign maker in Luke 23:38? In Jesus?
  • What aspects of the Gospel message do you see in Luke 23:40-43?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • When did the meaning of death of Christ begin to make sense to you? How would you explain the Crucifixion to a non-Christian friend?
  • Who in this story do you identify with most? With least? Why?
  • How do people today similarly reflect the profound misunderstanding expressed in Luke 23:35?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.



OPEN:


DIG:
  • According to the sign on Jesus' cross, for what "official" reason was he crucified? What meaning does this title have for Pilate (18:33-37)? For the soldiers (19:2-3)? The chief priests (19:14-15)? Is this title being used here sincerely or mockingly? Why is it in all three common languages?
  • As Jesus may have recited Psalm 22 from the cross (Matthew 27:46), how might he have felt as he watched the soldiers take his clothes (John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:18)?
  • Given Jesus' mother's faith in him at the outset of his public ministry (John 2:3-5), what must she be feeling now at the end? Why is Old Testament prophecy about Jesus' death (Exodus 12:46; Zechariah 12:10) so important in this chapter?


REFLECT:
  • If Jesus preached the same Gospel today that he preached in the first century, who might be the "chief priests," the "Peters" and "Pilates"? Who would you be?



The Way of the Cross
When James and John asked Jesus for the places of honor next to him in his Kingdom, he told them they didn't know what they were asking (Mark 10:35-39). Here, as Jesus was preparing to inaugurate his Kingdom through his death, the places on his right and on his left were taken by dying men—criminals. As Jesus explained to his two position-conscious disciples, a person who wants to be close to Jesus must be prepared to suffer and die. The way to the Kingdom is the way of the cross. Taking a stand for Christ may invite suffering and pain, but Jesus will be there with you, through it all.



The wine was offered to Jesus to help deaden his pain. But Jesus refused—he would suffer fully conscious and with a clear mind.


========

A BROKEN HEART

Dr. Joe Pettigrew

“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” John 19:31-34

I am dealing with a broken heart.

I never knew that having a broken heart is an actual medical condition. A TV station mentioned the condition today. A Google search led to information about the condition at mayo.com. The condition is called stress cardiomyopathy. It is a serious condition with symptoms similar to a heart attack with shortness of breath and pressure in the chest. It occurs when part of the heart suddenly balloons resulting in a less effective pumping action. It is usually caused by being emotionally traumatized in some way. The good news is that the person experiencing the broken heart usually recovers within a few days or weeks.

If you have ever had a relationship suddenly end, or even had a sudden disruption of a relationship you know that this can be traumatic. My mother died when I was young. Although I have never had stress cardiomyopathy, when my mother died it felt like my heart was broken.

We have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, who has experienced the worst that this world can thrust upon a person. As the Bible says, Jesus "...was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Jesus knows what it is like to have a broken heart because many think that is what He died from; a broken heart (Because of the sudden cry, and bowing of the head of Jesus, some physician researchers analyzing the Biblical record believe that He died of a cardiac rupture). Because Jesus has successfully endured terrible emotional and physical trauma without surrender to the demands of the world, He is able to help us.

What is the spiritual cure for a broken heart? Look to Jesus! "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls (Hebrews 12:1-3)."

Thought of the Day: Lay aside the weight, the trauma of that broken heart, by turning your eyes upon Jesus.



========

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:












#Crucifixion
The Cross and Passover (John 19:17–36)

At the beginning of John’s Gospel, John the Baptist introduced Jesus by calling him the “Lamb of God” (1:29, 36). This odd phrase might refer to the sacrificial lamb that was killed daily in the Temple (Exod 29:38–46) or to the sacrificial lamb of Isa 53:7 (cp. Acts 8:32–35; Rev 5:5–14). Both rituals of sacrifice spoke of rescue and forgiveness from sin.
However, this was not all that John had in mind. John presented Jesus as the Passover lamb whose death marks the central event of the Passover season (see Exod 12:46; Luke 22:7; 1 Cor 5:7). In the first century, Jews made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem each spring to celebrate the Passover and to reread the story of the Exodus (see Exod 12–15). When Israel was being rescued from Egypt, the blood of a lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts of each Jewish home in Egypt and saved those inside from death (Exod 12). Jews who came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover needed to supply a perfect young lamb for sacrifice. The animal could not be diseased or have broken bones.
Jesus used his final Passover meal to show that his sacrificial death would give new meaning to the festival (Mark 14:17–31). In John, the cross became an altar where Christ, the Passover lamb, was slain. Jesus’ legs were not broken (19:33), fulfilling a Passover rule (19:36; Exod 12:46). Blood ran freely from his wound (19:34), showing that his life was being exchanged for others. Just as a lamb died to save the lives of Jewish families at the Passover in Egypt, so, too, this one death of the Son of God on the cross serves to bring salvation to the world.
John 1:29, 36
Exod 12:1–13:16; 29:38–46
Num 9:1–14
Deut 16:1–8
2 Kgs 23:21–23
2 Chr 30:1–27
Ezra 6:19–21
Isa 53:7
Ezek 45:21–22
Matt 26:2, 17–19
Mark 14:17–31
Luke 22:14–30
Acts 8:32–35; 12:3–4
1 Cor 5:7–8
Heb 11:28
Rev 5:5–14


New Living Translation Study Bible. (2008). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:31 PM May 4, 2021.







https://youtu.be/vfgPzImtTxA