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Lesson 9 Leader’s notes: Matthew 26:14-27:66, Mark 14:12-15:47, and Luke 22:1-23:56
Tell the Bible’s true story or read the story written opposite.
Encourage the ladies to express their own thoughts about it.
For example, ask them to think how they would feel in the situation
if they were Jesus,
if they were a disciple
if they were one of the ladies’ support group
(dare I say it?) if they were God the Father
Most Bible references included in the opposite writing are from Mark’s gospel. Ladies could find more from Matthew and/or Luke as an exercise.
Note:
Not every detail from the Matthew, Mark and Luke accounts is mentioned here – Pilate washing his hands and declaring his innocence of Jesus’ blood – Jesus’ flogging - Simon of Cyrene made to carry Jesus’ cross, and more.
Student's page:
Lesson 9 The purpose of the true story continued, in Matthew 26:14-27:66, Mark 14:12-15:47, and Luke 22:1-23:56
Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Last Supper Mark 14:22-23 - Passover with a whole new significance- Jesus our Passover Lamb – the new covenant. Then they went out to the Mount of Olives – Jesus tells the disciples that they will desert Him, but that after He is risen He will go ahead of them into Galilee. Peter says he will die with Jesus and all the disciples say the same. They move on to Gethsemane Mark 14:32, Jesus tells the disciples to stay where they are.
He takes only Peter, James and John with Him before saying, ”Stay here and keep watch with me”. He goes beyond them. Jesus falls on His face, talking to His Father about what must happen in the next few hours. Peter, James and John have fallen asleep. Three times Jesus is nearly overwhelmed as He contemplates what He is about to do, what He has known was the plan from eternity. “Your will, Father”, He says, Mark 14:36. The disciples are still asleep. Jesus rouses them saying, “Rise. Let us go. Here comes my betrayer.”
It is sometimes easy to be asleep when Jesus wants us to be awake!
In the blackness of night and the darkness of betrayal, Mark records a possible self-portrait in 14:51. In the noise and confusion of armed arrest Mark 14:43, Peter uses a sword to lash out and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus. Jesus heals him. The arresting men take Jesus back into Jerusalem, to the house of the high priest. There is a fire in the courtyard there. Peter goes to warm himself. He ends up denying any knowledge of Jesus three times. The cock crows Mark 14:72 – just as Jesus said it would.
It is sometimes easy to deny Jesus by what we say or don’t say, what we do or don’t do!
The authorities had to wait until sunrise before they could start a trial which would bring a death sentence. The guards amuse themselves by mocking, insulting and beating Jesus Mark 15:16-19. At daybreak the Jewish leaders begin a trial and soon have the evidence they want to take Jesus on to the Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate. Here they work the words around to make it a political accusation. Pilate says, “I find no basis for a charge against this Man” Mark 15:14. Discovering that Jesus came from Galilee Pilate chooses to send Jesus to Herod . Herod had jurisdiction over Galilee. Herod wanted to see Jesus perform a miracle. The soldiers enjoy the mockery. Jesus is sent back to Pilate.
Pilate had a difficult job trying to rule Judea and Jerusalem. He tries to release Jesus because he can find no just cause to execute Him. The crowds shout for Jesus to be executed Mark 15:12-13. Pilate tries again. But the crowd shout they want Barabbas, a murderous rebel, to be released, not Jesus. Pilate tries to release Jesus a third time Mark 15:15 but makes an expedient practical decision against his own better feelings. Pilate “surrendered Jesus to their will” Luke writes. “They led Him away to crucify Him.” Matthew and Mark.
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Leader's page:
At an appropriate time share this from the footnote to Matthew 27:22 in the NIV Zondervan Study Bible:
”Crucify. Usually meant to affix a person to a cross-shaped pair of wooden beams, either with ropes or nails through palms and ankles, with arms outstretched until the person was so fatigued that they could no longer lift their head off their chest enough to breathe. It was a standard but very cruel form of execution the Romans used for slaves and the worst of criminals”.
Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, Matthew 27:26.
Ask about the significance of many women being nearby to Jesus.
Do you wish you were there? Why? Why not?
Student's page:
So Jesus was crucified at nine in the morning, outside the city as decreed by Jewish law. Two other men, both rebels, were crucified at the same time. Jesus was in the middle. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Luke 23:34.
The soldiers were allowed to take for themselves any minor possessions the prisoner had. Then they sat and watched.
Onlookers scoffed, soldiers mocked. One of the other crucified men mocked Jesus, while the third man said, “We are being punished justly. But this Man (Jesus) has done no wrong. Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus replied “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise”. Luke 23:43.
At noon darkness came over the land until three in the afternoon. In the Old Testament darkness sometimes means God’s displeasure. Put that with Luke 22:53. When the Jewish leaders arrest Jesus in Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “..this is your hour - when darkness reigns.” Unnatural darkness – a God intervention. Compare Habakkuk 1:13.
God cannot look on sin/evil, though He does still love the sinner and wills their repentance.
At about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ Matthew 27:46. This is the moment when Jesus carries the sins of humankind feeling the complete break of His previously unbroken communion with His Father.
Then Jesus says’ “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit”, Luke 23:46. When He had said this, He breathed His last.
Another God intervention - the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. God had made a way for people to freely access His presence through Jesus’ sacrifice.
The centurion in charge of that day’s crucifixion seems to know more than he can understand from events of the last few hours.
This Man was (and is) God! Luke 23:47 compare Mark 15:39.
Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, gets permission to bury Jesus’ body, in linen cloth, in a tomb cut out of rock. And the tomb was sealed. Matthew 27:65-66.
Who was at the cross? Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49.
Who was at the tomb? Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke 23:55-56.
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