Luke 23.26-56 – Execution

This is it.  The moment is here.  In all its apparent foolishness, weakness and failure Jesus deals with evil, sin and death in a way no one expected; bearing in himself the sins of Israel and of the nations, and issuing a clear warning for all those who would refuse, even now, to turn and follow him.  Darkness is very much over the land; the Temple veil is torn in two; and one criminal and a Roman centurion recognise Jesus as King.

• In light of Jesus’ death, ‘there is nothing I can do to make God love me any more, and nothing I can do to make God love me any less’.  In what ways does knowing this give you hope today?

• How might you forgive like Jesus (see v.34)?

• Why do you think Luke presents a Roman centurion (v.47) as his primary witness to the innocence of Jesus?

• Today, no matter what you face, will you trust that Jesus alone can save? 

Luke 22.66-23.25 – Trial

Finally and tragically Jesus steps into the courtroom and is then put on trial before the Roman governor.  This is the point that Jesus knew in some way had to come – his willing and obedient submission to a massive perversion of justice.  Barabbas, guilty of political revolt and murder is set free, whilst Jesus, the only innocent man who has ever lived is condemned and sent to the cross.  But in a real sense it is actually Jesus who sends himself to the cross; in the midst of an audience that rejects his claims, he is faithful to his identity and makes no effort to save his life by denying who he is.

• Why do you think that it’s important that both Pilate and Herod find Jesus innocent of breaking any law?

• Even without believing in Jesus, Herod, a Jewish king and Pilate, a Gentile ruler ‘became friends’ (v.12).  Under the shadow of the cross, reconciliation cannot help but break out.  In what ways or into what circumstances does reconciliation need to break out into your life today?

• Can you see yourself in the figure of Barabbas – guilty, yet set free because of Jesus taking your place?  

• Think of a recent perversion of justice and pray for that situation now.

Luke 22.47-65 – Arrest

Jesus’ arrest means that he will now experience ‘the cup’ that previously he had asked his Father to take from him.  He submits to God’s will and does not permit any attempt to fight his way out of this appointed hour of darkness; an hour in which sin and death, and every kind of evil will do their worst at every level and come to exhaust themselves in his broken body.  The kingdom of God is simply not one that will come by violence, force or oppression.  Jesus is no revolutionary fighter or military-messiah, but rather the suffering servant who is actually disowned by those closest to him.

• What do you think the actions of Judas tell us about the nature of humanity?

• Can you think of any ways in which you could apply Jesus’ example of the way he dealt with his arrest to your life today?

• Should all Christians be pacifists?

• When and in what ways are you tempted to disassociate yourself with Jesus?  Turn any thoughts into prayer.

Luke 22.39-46 – Sweat and Blood

In Gethsemane Jesus expresses the full weight of the vocation to which he was called; in the prayer itself we see Jesus’ intense agony and both his fundamental dependence on God and commitment to doing his Father’s will, even if it means the giving of his life.  Heaven responds not by granting Jesus his request for another way, but by giving him the strength to face what God has called him to do.  The disciples fail however to understand either what he was doing or saying.

• What do you think Jesus’ prayer to his Father reveals about him?

• Can you take both your pain and your need to God in prayer?

• What current temptations might you need to pray about?

• In what ways does it reassure you that as you turn to God in prayer he will strengthen you for what he has called you to do?  

Luke 22.1-38 – The Last Supper

To give his followers (both then and now) a way of understanding and remembering what was about to happen to him, Jesus doesn’t teach a theory; he uses a meal – the bread symbolising his broken body, the wine his shed blood and the call to ‘remember’, the Passover (Exodus 12) as Israel looked back at the Exodus.  Now however, God would act to save his people not simply from Egyptian slavery but from slavery to all evil and even death itself.  Jesus’ own death would enable Israel and the whole world to ‘escape’.  And notice here how the blend of celebration and betrayal mirrors the triumph and tragedy displayed in the cross.

• What difference does it make to your life today to know that the powers of evil and death have been defeated?

• What do you think is happening when we remember Jesus in this way?

• What does re-enacting this meal mean to you?

• In what ways might you be able to ‘serve’ others today?

Luke 21.5-38 – Reading the Signs

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem in A.D.70.  In speaking about Jerusalem and her destruction a pattern of events emerges like those associated with Jesus’ own second-coming at the end of the age.  But in the short term, the nation of Israel is headed for dangerous and testing times.  Her rejection of Jesus will be painful and costly – not least for his followers.  But Jesus invites his followers to face this future patiently with hope and confidence, knowing that he will give them what they need.  If they stand firm, they will win life.

• In what ways is your faith currently being knocked, tested or challenged?

• Are you able to hear today Jesus’ words, ‘stand firm, and you will win life’?

• Think of someone you know who is struggling in their faith.  Ask God to give them patience, hope and confidence.

• How does the return of Jesus and the associated promises of judgment and a final vindication of his followers make you feel?

Luke 20.41-21.4 – Seeing the King

Having silenced his enemies Jesus asks a question to reveal the error in Jewish thinking as to the identity of the long-awaited Messiah.  The Jews of Jesus’ day thought merely of a human king; one who would ascend to Israel’s throne and rebuild their Temple, rule with justice, fight their battles, and bring Israel’s pagan enemies into submission.  But the true Messiah is so much more.  Jesus is not just ‘the son of David’ he is David’s ‘Lord’; the son of God who shares his fathers’ throne – a position which demands a response not of outward show or mere performance, but of humble and self-sacrificial giving.

• Do you see Jesus as David did?

• Are there any areas of your life which need to be (re)submitted to the lordship of Jesus?

• Can you think any ways in which your Christian faith has become a ‘performance’?  If so, ask God for his forgiveness and for a heart like that of the poor widow.

• In what ways can you follow the poor widows’ example in living out your faith?