God’s grand Story NT Lesson 3

The Last Week Read Matthew 21:33-46

Matthew 21:33–46 ESV

33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

What did Jesus mean by “the stone that the builders rejected became the chief cornerstone?”

The Jews Rejected Him as the Messiah and yet He became the cataylist for all mankind to be redeemed from their sins.

In what way was the sacrifice of Jesus the foundation of God’s plan?

Jesus presented Himself to Israel and its religious leaders as their rightful, long-anticipated King.

But because He did not measure up to the prevailing expectations of the Jewish Messiah, the nation rejected Him.

And yet in God’s surprising, sovereign plan this rejection (that culminated in murder) laid the groundwork for Christ being the sacrifice for the sin of the world! Upon the life, death, and resurrection (i.e., the foundation) of Jesus, God would build the Church.

Read Mark 11:18

Mark 11:18 ESV

18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

, John 12:17–19

“17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.””

John 12:42–43

“42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”

. Why do you think the religious leaders were intimidated by the crowds?

they didn’t want to lose their power and control

If the various religious groups couldn’t control their members, and if this “Jesus fellow” succeeded in stirring up the masses, Rome might crack down.

Any change in the status quo (as unpleasant as it was) might result in a loss of privilege and/or position. They feared His popularity, His power, and His unsettling words.

Why were some who believed in Jesus intimidated by the religious leaders?

They didn’t want to be kicked out of the culture - their lively hood

What affect do you think popular opinion has on faith?

NOTES: At the time of Christ, Judea was a socio-political-religious tinderbox. Resentful of Roman occupation—but also afraid of incurring Rome’s wrath—an assortment of parties and rival groups (e.g., the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, etc.) vied for some amount of influence and control. Thus, life in Jerusalem was marked and shaped by the not-so-delicate dance between all these religious factions and leaders and the secular officials.

Any change in the status quo (as unpleasant as it was) might result in a loss of privilege and/or position. They feared His popularity, His power, and His unsettling words.

The Last Night

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Not as I will, but as you will,” submitting to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39).

The writer of Hebrews later tells us that Jesus willingly went to the cross “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2).

What is the difference between these two statements?

q

In what sense did Jesus surrender His own will?

In what sense did He willingly fulfill it?

READ : Scholars universally agree that crucifixion was one of the most savage and agonizing methods of execution ever devised.

In His humanity, Jesus recoiled at the prospect of this kind of suffering and death. As the time drew near, He understandably felt afraid. Without sinning, He asked the Father if there might be another way to provide salvation to mankind. When He realized this was, in fact, the divine will, He surrendered joyfully to the Father’s plan, trusting the goodness of His Father’s heart.

This is a prime opportunity to discuss the topic of surrender (which, as someone has noted, is the essence of the spiritual life).

See where the members of your group are having a hard time saying to God “Thy will be done.”

Read Luke 22:31-32

Luke 22:31–32 ESV

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Who asked for the right to test him?

SATAN

Was Jesus’ prayer for him answered?

Yes- He died a martyr

Some participants might wonder if Jesus’ prayer for Peter remained unanswered, as it did not keep Peter from failing and denying Jesus.

But Jesus predicted the denial and said “when you return,” implying that His prayers were not for God to prevent Peter’s fall but to sustain him through it and even to use it for good.

Crucifixion

Read Matthew 27:50-54

Matthew 27:50–54 ESV

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

If the cross had been your first introduction to Jesus, as it was to some Roman residents of Jerusalem, what would you have thought of this criminal who apparently prompted a reaction from heaven?

(Earthquake, Darkness, Vail torn, Dead came alive…..)

How would you have assessed these events?

As Christ breathed His last, witnesses saw the temple veil (think “thick, like a wool rug” not “flimsy, like a piece of cotton cloth”) rip from top to bottom.

They felt an earthquake.

There were reports of resurrections.

These are not everyday or even once-in-a- lifetime events! They are once-in-history happenings!

John 19:38-42 tells us that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus the Pharisee had been secret believers in Jesus.

In asking for Jesus’ body and handling it, they not only made their faith public; they made themselves ritually unclean as Passover began. (According to Jewish law, they could celebrate it a month later.) What does this tell us about their faith?

About their regard for Jesus over and above their own reputation?

Under what circumstances do you think you would risk your reputation for Jesus?

For background on this question, read Numbers 9:1-13.

Resurrection

Read Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:11-15.

Matthew 27:62–66 ESV

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

What alternate theories have you heard that attempt to explain the empty tomb?

The three most popular arguments against the resurrection are the “wrong tomb” theory, the “swoon” theory, and the “stolen body” theory.

The “wrong tomb theory” argues that the Sunday morning witnesses mistakenly went to the wrong grave. But Matthew 27:61 shows the two Mary’s watching intently as Joseph laid the body of Jesus in his own new tomb. They knew its location.

The “swoon theory” says that Jesus didn’t die after being beaten, flogged mercilessly, nailed to the cross, and pierced with a spear. He merely blacked out. Once inside the tomb, He regained consciousness—and enough strength to roll back the stone and overpower the guards.

The “stolen body” theory says that the disciples of Jesus surprised and overpowered the Roman contingent guarding the tomb, or else they quietly spirited His body away while the guards slept. This notion forgets that the disciples were frightened fishermen and terrified tax collectors, etc., and not skilled fighters. That they would take on the emperor’s trained soldiers and break his seal is laughable. That the guards would fall asleep while on duty—an offense punishable by death—is unthinkable.

What does the empty tomb tell you about how God deals with hopeless situations?

You can’t get more hopeless than dead. A dead marriage, a dead-end job or career, a friendship shattered by conflict. The empty tomb, however, is proof positive that God is able to overcome death with life.

How does that encourage you in the situations you face?

Ask your group to list some situations, relationships, dreams, etc. in their lives that need God’s resurrection power.

Stop and pray for those things in the middle of your discussion, in the name of the risen, living, Lord Jesus Christ!

Appearances and Ascension

Read John 20:24-29

John 20:24–29 (ESV)

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

. In what ways can you identify with Thomas?

Why is Jesus’ statement in verse 29 significant for those who read the Gospels today?

Read Mark 16:7

Mark 16:7 ESV

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

and John 21:15-19

John 21:15–19 ESV

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

In light of Peter’s denial of Jesus during His arrest, why are these passages significant?

Jesus goes to great lengths to recreate the scene of Peter’s greatest failure (all the way down to the unique smell of a charcoal fire).

A small crowd of bystanders listening and looking through the dim light of those glowing embers as the same basic question is asked three times.

Demonstrates how far Gods grace will go.

What do they tell us about Jesus’ compassion for those who have failed?

reminder that, because of the gospel, there is a future for failures!

The greatest tragedy isn’t that we sin—it’s that when we sin, we often don’t let Jesus forgive us and re-commission us to His service.

See if a couple of the members of your group will share a story of great failure...followed by great restoration.