STUDY 19

THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

LUKE 22:47-23:56

 

 

  1. When did you first hear the story of Jesus’ death? How did it affect you?
    1. Was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools so don’t remember the very first time. Salvation experience was kind of clueless for me – sort of happened without my full understanding. At a certain point it dawned on me that Jesus stepped down from a very high position to be treated as the lowest form of life – he did this willingly, in obedience to the Father, for my benefit. Endless words could never fully describe the greatness of this act.


  2. LUKE 22:47-62 How does Jesus respond to betrayal and violence in this passage?
    1. Betrayal

                                                               i.      By Judas - calmly; want to say “as though he expected it” but that sort of goes without saying.

                                                             ii.      By Peter; again as though he expected it…

    1. Violence

                                                               i.      Jesus allowed the violence – even encouraged it by telling the disciples to bring a sword – but only to a point, after which he shuts it down. Which leads me to wonder if there was prophecy to be fulfilled? Couldn’t find anything in the commentaries about this though…

                                                             ii.      Even in allowing the violence Jesus heals the victim.

    1. Think there’s something to “expecting” betrayal and violence… it appears to be a part of the fallen human nature, at some point and to some degree, we all experience betrayal. Yet we react as though it is unexpected and unthinkable. Why?


  1. How does Peter’s response contrast with Jesus’ response?
    1. Peter did not expect the betrayal… even after Jesus forewarned him, it still took Peter by surprise and he obviously was not ready for this “truth” about him to be revealed.


  2. Identify the various emotions Peter must have experienced during the events described in this passage.
    1. v.50 – anger, when ready to battle the crowd in the garden; maybe even a little vindictiveness (as in “These people have been trying to get us for a long time and now we’ll deal with them!”)
    2. v54 – confusion, when Jesus (who calmed the storm, walked on water, healed the sick, raised the dead, and forgave sins) was lead away into captivity.
    3. v. 56-60 – fear, when accused of being a friend of Jesus and denying it.
    4. v.62 – guilt and shame, when he had to face the truth of betrayal in front of Jesus.


  3. LUKE 22:63-23:25 Identify the various forms of abuse Jesus endures in this sequence of events.
    1. v. 63, 23:11 – mocking and beating
    2. v. 66-71 – blasphemy
    3. v. 23:1 – libel and slander (false accusations)


  4. Note the difference in Jesus’ response to Pilate and to Herod. How do you account for this contrast?
    1. Pilot, Roman governor of Judea – appeared to struggle with doing what was right; Jesus at least makes an effort to help him sort things out (Pilate utters the eternal question “What is truth” in his conversation with Jesus.)
    2. Herod Antipas, Roman ruler of Galilee & Perea – Jesus makes no attempt to sway Herod’s intentions. It is as though Jesus recognizes that any effort at all would be wasted?

                                                               i.      Herod did appear to wrestle with the truth at times – when he had John the Baptist arrested he would enjoy talking w/John, who no doubt confronted him with the truth. Herod ended up having John executed.


  1. In what ways is Barabbas an example of what Jesus has done for all of us?
    1. Jesus took Barabbas’ place on the cross.


  2. LUKE 23:26-43 Identify each character or group of characters in this scene. What impact does the crucifixion have on each?
    1. Simon of Cyrene – carried the cross for Jesus; appears that little is known of him but I often wonder that Luke knows his name, therefore he didn’t simply disappear after the story and there may have been a lasting impact on his life due to the brief role he played in helping Jesus.
    2. Group of women weeping – they are devastated and weeping, unafraid to be openly mournful of Jesus arrest and condemnation. They appear to be the only ones close to facing the truth. Pilate and Herod have dodged the truth, the disciples have run from the truth, and the soldiers are oblivious to the truth. The women face it head on despite the ugly and despondent effect it brings.
    3. The soldiers - have little understanding of the significance of the situation and are more concerned with clothing and sporting fun than what is actually happening.
    4. The Jewish leaders - mistakenly view this as their moment of victory; the source of all their problems (shame and guilt of being publicly exposed as self-serving instead of self-sacrifice) is finally vanquished.
    5. Criminal #1 - joined the scoffers in denying the truth by mocking Jesus.
    6. Criminal # 2 - recognized moment of truth and chose to fear and honor God.  

  3. V.40-43 can be seen as a summary of the gospel. How could you use these to explain salivation to a non-Christian friend?


  4. LUKE 23:44-56 Look again at each character described in this passage. Which one do you most identify with?


  5. What is the impact of this story on you, now?


  6. If this passage ended the Jesus story, to what extent could you base a religious belief and/or moral code on what you know of his life and death?

 

 

Some of your friends and family (perhaps even you yourself) know this much of the story of Jesus and accept it as historically true. Pray together that these individuals will come to see that believing only this much about Jesus is not enough. Pray that they will recognize and be willing to admit their need for something more.