Matthew 26-27
Mark 14-15
Mark 14-15
Luke
22-23
John 13-14; 16-19
Introduction to the Reading:
Whenever you read about an accidental death of someone, it’s a good reminder how miraculous it is that we make it through any given day. Our entire life is a miracle of God - a time of Grace that comes generously from his hand - and how quickly that time can come to an end.
As you will read, in our chapter this week we also read about another death - the death of Jesus. Jesus' death wasn't justified - he did nothing wrong. While each of us mourns the loss of loved ones and struggles to see others taken from us, why do we celebrate Jesus death? What makes his death special? In spite of the millions and billions of people who have died over the course of history, why do we pay so much attention to one man dying?
I hope you already know the answer, but sometimes we need to be reminded of what we already know. I've probably read some of these verses hundreds if not thousands of times, but yet as I read these words of scripture this time, I was reminded of what made Jesus' death different. As we read this week, let's stop and pay attention to what made the death of the one man, Jesus Christ, so special.
Moments to Pause:
John 13-14; 16-19
Introduction to the Reading:
Whenever you read about an accidental death of someone, it’s a good reminder how miraculous it is that we make it through any given day. Our entire life is a miracle of God - a time of Grace that comes generously from his hand - and how quickly that time can come to an end.
As you will read, in our chapter this week we also read about another death - the death of Jesus. Jesus' death wasn't justified - he did nothing wrong. While each of us mourns the loss of loved ones and struggles to see others taken from us, why do we celebrate Jesus death? What makes his death special? In spite of the millions and billions of people who have died over the course of history, why do we pay so much attention to one man dying?
I hope you already know the answer, but sometimes we need to be reminded of what we already know. I've probably read some of these verses hundreds if not thousands of times, but yet as I read these words of scripture this time, I was reminded of what made Jesus' death different. As we read this week, let's stop and pay attention to what made the death of the one man, Jesus Christ, so special.
Moments to Pause:
·
Bottom of page 368: In one sentence, using your own words, what
did Jesus mean that " Unless I wash you, you have no part with me?"
What does Jesus' death do for us, making it so important?
·
Bottom of page 369: The body and blood of Jesus, shed on the
cross and present in the Lord's Supper, are the signs and seals of his new
covenant with us. What is a covenant? Unlike the covenant the Lord made with
Moses and the Israelites that he would bless them if they kept his commands,
the covenant Jesus makes is one sided: it is simply God's promise to us. What
is that promise? In the supper Jesus instituted, the forgiveness of sins won on
the cross is sealed - made certain - to us as individuals. Jesus assures me
that the punishment he took on - even though it happened nearly two millennia
ago - impacts me. This isn't just any death - this is a death he died for me.
He took on the punishment of sins for me.
·
Bottom of page 370: At times Jesus spoke quite openly about who
he was, and yet his disciples still didn't fully comprehend it (at least at the
time). Who does Jesus say he is? What sentences in this section do you think
most clearly explain who he is?
·
Bottom of page 373: What evidence is there that Jesus is going
willingly to his death? It's almost comical how no one really gets it! What do
you think the "mob" thought about Jesus when they saw the miracles?
How does Peter respond?
·
Bottom of page 374: Who does Jesus clearly claim to be before
the religious leaders?
·
Bottom of page 377: Before Pilate, Jesus is not only called a
king, but what else?
When You're Done Reading:
Finally someone gets it - really gets it! What made Jesus death different? For the last few weeks the underlying question I've been asking - and the ongoing question of those who met Jesus - has been, "Who is this?" Jesus' death is special - is memorable - is crucially important because it isn't just the death of some man. It is the death of the Son of God!
I can't understand how Jesus could be both human and God. I don't get how his death could be the substitute for the death I deserve for my sins. I don't know why he would even die for me. But he was, and it did, and he has. The whole Story - for that matter all of HIStory - has been leading up to this. With his death on the cross, Jesus crushed the head of Satan once and for all as prophesied all the way back in the garden of Eden.
Each day we face any number of ways to die. We read about deaths in the newspaper and visit funeral homes. We are reminded constantly of our mortality. But the most important death to remember is that of Jesus - not just an ordinary man - but the Son of God. His death sets us free from eternal death so that we can enjoy the mansions he promised to prepare for us.
Finally someone gets it - really gets it! What made Jesus death different? For the last few weeks the underlying question I've been asking - and the ongoing question of those who met Jesus - has been, "Who is this?" Jesus' death is special - is memorable - is crucially important because it isn't just the death of some man. It is the death of the Son of God!
I can't understand how Jesus could be both human and God. I don't get how his death could be the substitute for the death I deserve for my sins. I don't know why he would even die for me. But he was, and it did, and he has. The whole Story - for that matter all of HIStory - has been leading up to this. With his death on the cross, Jesus crushed the head of Satan once and for all as prophesied all the way back in the garden of Eden.
Each day we face any number of ways to die. We read about deaths in the newspaper and visit funeral homes. We are reminded constantly of our mortality. But the most important death to remember is that of Jesus - not just an ordinary man - but the Son of God. His death sets us free from eternal death so that we can enjoy the mansions he promised to prepare for us.
Hymn/Prayer:
by Johann
Heerman
O dearest Jesus, what law have
you broken
That such sharp sentence should on you be spoken?
Of what great crime have you to make confession—
What dark transgression?
That such sharp sentence should on you be spoken?
Of what great crime have you to make confession—
What dark transgression?
Whence come these sorrows,
whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which you, Lord, must languish;
Yes, all the wrath, the woe, you do inherit,
This I do merit.
It is my sins for which you, Lord, must languish;
Yes, all the wrath, the woe, you do inherit,
This I do merit.
The sinless Son of God must
die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted—
God is committed.
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted—
God is committed.
Whate’er of earthly good this
life may grant me,
I’ll risk for you; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.
I’ll risk for you; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.
And when, dear Lord, before
your throne in Heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns your saints forever raise you,
I, too, shall praise you.
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns your saints forever raise you,
I, too, shall praise you.
No comments:
Post a Comment