Hero's Journey Passion

Relevant Plot Points

ACT ONE:

Jesus is challenged by the religious leaders.

1. The Ordinary World

1. The religious leaders conspire against Jesus

Mark 11:18-19, Luke 19:47-48, Luke 21:37-38

2. The Call to Adventure

2. The religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority

Matthew 21:23-22:14, Mark 11:27-12:12, Luke 20:1-19

… paying taxes

Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

… resurrection

Matthew 22:23-33, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-40

… greatest commandment

Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34

… Messiah

Matthew 22:41-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44

3. Refusal of the Call

3. Jesus condemns the religious leaders

Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47

4. Meeting with the Mentor

4. Religious leaders seek to kill Jesus

Matthew 26:3-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2

ACT TWO:

Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified.

5. Crossing the First Threshold

5. Judas offers to betray Jesus

Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6

6. Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane

Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies

7. Annas questions Jesus

John 18:13, John 18:19-23

8. Peter denies Jesus the first time

Matthew 26:58, Matthew 26:69-70

… second time

Matthew 26:71-72, Mark 14:69-70, Luke 22:58, John 18:25

… third time

Matthew 26:73-75, Mark 14:70-72, Luke 22:59-62, John18:26

9. Jesus appears before Caiaphas

Matthew 26:57, Matthew 26:59-66, Mark 14:53, Mark 14:55-64, Luke 22:54, John 18:24

10. Jesus is mocked and beaten

Matthew 26:67-68, Mark 14:65, Luke 22:63-65

11. The Sanhedrin condemns Jesus

Matthew 27:1, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-71

12. Judas commits suicide

Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:18-19

13. Pilate questions Jesus the first time

Matthew 27:2, Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-7, John 18:28-38

14. Jesus appears before Herod Antipas

Luke 23:7-12

15. Pilate answers the religious leaders a second time

Matthew 27:15-21, Mark 15:6-11, Luke 23:13-19, John 18:38-40

7. Approach to the Innermost Cave

16. Jesus is flogged

John 19:1-3

17. The crowd calls for crucifixion

Matthew 27:22, Mark 15:12-13, Luke 23:20-21, John 19:4-7

18. Pilate questions Jesus the second time

John 19:8-11

19. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified

Matthew 27:23-26, Mark 15:14-15, Luke 23:22-25, John 19:12-16

8. The Ordeal

20. Roman soldiers mock Jesus

Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-19

21. Jesus is led out to be crucified

Matthew 27:31, Mark 15:20, Luke 23:32, John 19:16-17

22. Jesus is crucified

Matthew 27:35-36, Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:24-25, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:33-34, John 19:18, John 19:23-27

23. Jesus is mocked on the cross

Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:28-32, Luke 23:35-37

24. Jesus dies on the cross

Matthew 27:45-50, Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:33-37, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:44, Luke 23:46-48, John 19:28-30

9. Reward

25. Phenomena accompany Jesus’ death

Matthew 27:51-53, Mark 15:38-39, Luke 23:45

26. Women watch the crucifixion from a distance

Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49

27. A soldier pierces Jesus’ side

John 19:31-37

ACT THREE:

Jesus is buried, resurrected, and reconciles with Peter.

10. The Road Back

28. Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the body of Jesus

Matthew 27:57-59, Mark 15:42-45, Luke 23:50-52, John 19:38

29. Jesus’ body is placed in the tomb

Matthew 27:60-61, Mark 15:46-47, Luke 23:53-56, John 19:39-42

30. Guards are posted at the tomb

Matthew 27:62-66

11. The Resurrection

31. Jesus is resurrected from death

Mark 16:9

32. Women find the tomb empty

Matthew 28:1-7, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-8, John 20:1

33. Women tell the disciples about the empty tomb

Luke 24:9-11, John 20:2

12. Return with the Elixir

34. The religious leaders bribe the guards

Matthew 28:11-15

35. Jesus reconciles with Peter

John 21:15-23

The Hero's Journey: Witnessing the Passion and Resurrection of Christ

Summary: The theme explores Jesus's Passion and Resurrection through the lens of a hero's journey, highlighting how various witnesses, including the disciples and Mary Magdalene, experienced these pivotal events.

Application: This sermon seeks to encourage Christians to recognize their own roles as witnesses to Christ's journey. By reflecting on the reactions and transformations of those who encountered Jesus during His Passion and Resurrection, believers can find hope and purpose in their own lives as they share the gospel and testify to God's goodness.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that the journey of Jesus embodies the archetypal hero's journey, showing that faith involves trials, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph. It illustrates how the witnesses transform through their experiences, urging the audience to reflect on how they too can experience and share the power of the resurrection.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the Bible, Christ is the ultimate hero who fulfills the prophecies and archetypes throughout scripture, demonstrating God's plan for redemption. His journey from suffering to glory sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to humanity and exemplifies the transformative power of resurrection.

Big Idea: The essence of this sermon is that every believer is called to be a witness to the transformative power of Jesus’s journey, which invites us to share in His suffering and triumph, making our own lives part of this greater narrative.

Recommended Study: I recommend utilizing your Logos library to delve into the literary aspects of the hero’s journey framework as it applies to biblical narratives. Exploring Joseph Campbell's monomyth structure alongside relevant biblical texts can provide insight into how Jesus's experiences resonate with the patterns of classic hero stories. You may also want to examine commentaries on the Gospel accounts of the Passion and Resurrection to understand the perspectives of various witnesses and their significance.

1. Launching Into Darkness

John 18:1-11

You could explore how Jesus begins His Passion willingly, knowing the suffering that awaits, much like a hero who accepts the call to adventure. Perhaps this passage encourages believers to embrace their roles in God’s story, even when it involves difficulty or sacrifice. Jesus's unwavering commitment to His mission suggests that faith requires courage and trust in God’s plan.

2. Moment of Despair

Mark 15:33-41

Perhaps you can emphasize the moment of despair and apparent defeat at the crucifixion. This point highlights the darkest moment in the hero’s journey, where all seems lost. Witnesses are brought to the brink of hope, reminding believers that in their darkest moments, God’s plan is at work towards resurrection hope.

3. Triumph of the Tomb

Matthew 28:1-10

You might illustrate the joy and wonder of encountering the risen Christ as Mary Magdalene and the other Mary do at the empty tomb. As the hero returns transformed, witnesses are filled with new hope, prompting believers to share this joy and the message of triumph with others, reaffirming their faith mission.

From Witness to Faith: The Journey of Witnessing Jesus's Passion and Resurrection

Summary: This theme encompasses the varied experiences of those who witnessed Jesus's Passion and Resurrection, illustrating how these events shaped their faith journeys. It examines the initial doubts, fears, and ultimate realizations of the witnesses, underscoring the personal impact of Jesus’s sacrifice and victory over death.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to reflect on their own faith journeys in light of the witnesses' experiences. By understanding the emotional and spiritual transformations that those who witnessed Jesus underwent, believers are invited to confront their own doubts and be empowered to share their testimonies, leading others to faith.

Teaching: The teaching emphasizes that faith often arises from personal encounters with Christ, particularly during times of suffering and uncertainty. As the witnesses transformed through their encounters with Jesus, so too can individuals today find strength and hope through their personal struggles with faith and doubt.

How this passage could point to Christ: Within the broader biblical narrative, Christ serves as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies and the source of hope for humanity. His Passion and Resurrection not only reflect God’s profound love and redemption but also invite believers to witness and engage with His ongoing work in the world.

Big Idea: The core idea is that witnessing Jesus's journey transforms personal faith and calls believers to actively share their own stories of faith, encouraging community and connection in the body of Christ.

Recommended Study: In your Logos library, consider examining the emotional and psychological effects of trauma alongside biblical accounts of passion narratives. look into scholarly articles on the concept of witnesses in ancient texts to understand how the experiences of those who witnessed Jesus resonate with contemporary themes of faith. This research could illuminate the transformative power of personal testimonies in both ancient and modern contexts.

1. Despair to Declaration

John 20:11-18

Perhaps you could explore Mary Magdalene's initial despair at the empty tomb in John 20:11-18, and her transformation upon encountering the risen Christ. This encounter turns her sorrow into joy and transforms her into a powerful witness who shares the good news with others. As Mary’s faith journey illustrates, personal encounters with Christ have the power to change our perspective and empower us to influence others. This point can encourage the congregation to actively seek personal relationships with Christ, knowing that such encounters can significantly deepen their faith and enable them to witness boldly.

2. Confusion to Clarity

Luke 24:13-35

You could consider the encounter on the Emmaus Road in Luke 24:13-35 as a narrative of moving from confusion to clarity. As Jesus walks with the disciples, He opens the Scriptures and reveals Himself to them, reflecting how understanding God's Word provides insight into our life situations. This transformation, from being lost in doubt to recognizing Jesus’s presence, challenges the audience to delve into scripture for guidance and clarity in their faith journey, encouraging them to turn to Christ in moments of uncertainty.

3. Fear to Fearless Proclamation

Acts 2:14-41

In Acts 2:14-41, maybe you can examine Peter’s journey from fear to fearless proclamation. Once a disciple who denied Christ, Peter becomes a courageous preacher, boldly proclaiming the resurrection. This point can address the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, equipping believers to speak out for Christ despite their past failures or fears. Encouraging listeners to rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength allows them to overcome their insecurities, inspiring them to proclaim their faith with confidence.

Awakening Hope: The Witnesses of Christ's Passion and Resurrection

Summary: This theme reflects on how the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus revealed deep truths about suffering, love, and hope. It considers how each witness—be it the disciples, Mary Magdalene, or even the soldiers—was confronted with their own understanding and misconceptions of who Jesus was, leading to profound realizations and transformation in their lives.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand that their struggles with faith, doubt, and suffering are part of their own witness to Christ's journey. By examining the responses of the witnesses, believers can find encouragement in their own lives, leading them to share their stories of hope and redemption amidst adversity.

Teaching: The teaching will emphasize that witnessing Jesus in His moments of greatest trial not only impacts the immediate surroundings but also reverberates through time, teaching us about resilience, understanding, and the importance of sharing the hope we find in Christ. The audience is encouraged to recognize that their testimonies also have the power to impact others.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the grand narrative of the Bible, Christ’s Passion and Resurrection unlock the ultimate understanding of God's love for humanity. His sacrificial love is a pivotal point that offers hope not just for the witnesses at the time, but for all who would believe throughout history, culminating in a legacy of faith.

Big Idea: The essence of this sermon is that encountering Christ transforms every witness, revealing the depths of human despair but ultimately leading to the hope found in His resurrection. This is a call for believers to reflect that transformation in their lives and become beacons of hope in the midst of suffering.

Recommended Study: In your Logos library, consider researching the Gospel narratives in parallel to understand the unique perspectives each witness provides about the events of the Passion and Resurrection. Studies on the cultural context of the characters involved can give insight into their reactions and transformations. Additionally, digging into the theological implications of suffering and hope within biblical texts will enhance your understanding and delivery of this message.

1. Peter's Passionate Transformation

Luke 22:54-62

You could consider Peter's denial and eventual restoration as a powerful example of how witnessing Jesus's passion leads to transformation. Peter, a witness to Jesus's arrest, found himself overwhelmed by fear, leading to denial. Yet, his later repentance and bold testimony encourage believers today to find hope in Christ's forgiving embrace, even when overcoming their own failings. This illustrates the hero's journey in Peter's life—a shift from fear to redemption, mirroring personal faith journeys.

2. Mary's Magnifying Hope

John 19:25-30

Perhaps Mary's presence at the foot of the cross signifies enduring hope amid despair. Watching her son suffer, Mary remained steadfast, exemplifying the strength found in compassion and love. Her witness challenges believers to embrace sacrifice and compassion as integral to the Christian journey, teaching us the depths of Christ's love and the hope of resurrection. Mary's resolve amid pain is a testament to unwavering faith essential in believers' pilgrimage through life's trials.

3. Magdalene's Momentous Revelation

John 20:11-18

Maybe the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Jesus portrays the ultimate turning point from grief to joy. Her encounter outside the tomb redefines her witness to Christ—transitioning from sorrow to jubilant proclamation of the resurrection. This emphasizes the power of recognizing Jesus in our lives, transforming despair into a message of hope, empowering believers to be fearless witnesses of Christ's victory over death, inspiring others.

4. Centurion's Confession of Christ

Matthew 27:54

Consider the centurion's declaration as a profound realization that emerged even from outsider observation of Jesus's passion. This Roman soldier, an unlikely witness, proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God following the crucifixion events, showcasing that recognition and acceptance of Christ transcend backgrounds and positions. His witness challenges believers to reflect on moments of revelation in their lives, leading to transformative faith and testimony that echoes through their communities.