CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 28

This is our final week in the gospel of Matthew. This week, we will focus on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Remember, at the end of chapter 26, Jesus had just gone through His “unofficial” trial, in which the religious leaders conspired to find an excuse for His death. However, the Sanhedrin had no power to carry out a death sentence unless a foreigner entered the sacred section of the Temple. So, they took Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate, for the “official” trial. Pilate had one main job – keep the Jews from rioting. It became obvious to Pilate that the only way to prevent a full scale riot was to have Jesus murdered, even though he found no legitimate reason to do so. Though making a public show of washing his hands, he caved to the crowd.

Crucifixion was the method of capital punishment used by the Empire for non-Romans, particularly political criminals. It was considered especially humiliating. The death was slow, painful, and public. Jesus was offered wine, which would have dulled the pain, but He refused. The charge written over Jesus’ head on the cross was a conviction of sedition against the Empire – “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. Take special note of the marginal characters in the story – a North African Jew was compelled to carry the cross, indicating salvation was for the entire Jewish race. The soldiers said “Truly this man is God’s Son!” showing that salvation was for gentiles. The women and the wealthy attended Jesus’ funeral, meaning salvation was for all.

Pilate had succumbed to the religious authorities by crucifying Jesus, but having been given an inch, they wanted a mile. On Saturday, they had Pilate keep Jesus’ tomb under guard. On Sunday, the female disciples came to the tomb. Only Matthew records an earthquake here, which accompanied an angelic messenger. Matthew makes a point of showing this was too much for Roman soldiers, but not for the Jewish women! These women are to serve as eyewitnesses. They are brought in to see the empty tomb for themselves. Then, they are given a message for the male disciples – “Meet me in Galilee.” Galilee was the hometown of many of them. It had been the center of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and probably the home of Matthew’s earliest readers.

Only Matthew includes the account of the bribing of the guards. Remember Matthew’s gospel was written to Jews who remained in the area of these events. This rumor – that Jesus’ body had been stolen – would have been fresh on their ears! Meanwhile back in Galilee, the remaining eleven disciples gather on a mountain. This was most likely the mount of Transfiguration, found in Matthew 17:1. In Matthew’s account, this is the only post-resurrection interaction with the disciples that is recorded. Jesus’ only words to the disciples – more than one of whom were struggling with doubt – is what we today call the Great Commission. The disciples are told to carry on the message, and Jesus promises to empower them to do just.

Today’s sermon will celebrate Jesus and the challenge He left us.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. Have you ever had a job you didn’t like or didn’t think you could do? How did you respond?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• The disciples worshipped and doubted.

• Our worship can be filled with doubt sometimes.

• Jesus commissioned the doubting disciples.

• Jesus commissions us today.

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means accepting the impossible task of changing our world, even when we don’t feel like it! Write down one way you can GO or TEACH this week, then commit to take action to carry it out. Pray for Jesus to remove your doubts and fears.

CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 26:36-54

Matthew 26 tells of the plot to murder Jesus. It was the Passover Feast, and the religious leaders were concerned that a public arrest of Jesus, who was increasingly popular with the crowds, would lead to a riot. This was always a concern during Passover, when Rome kept an especially watchful eye on Jerusalem. The extravagant gift of a poor woman prompts Judas, one of the disciples, to approach the religious leaders. He is paid 30 silver coins for handing Jesus over to them. This refers to a practice in Leviticus 27. Since actual human sacrifice was forbidden, those who wished to dedicate a person to God could give their value in silver to the High Priest. We see a reversal of this here, in which the priests pay silver for the only true human sacrifice.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was the equivalent of the Thanksgiving Meal in our culture – not to be missed! It required extensive preparation, as all leaven (yeast) had to be removed from the home.. Had Jesus, in the midst of His teaching and ministering, remembered to make arrangements? In the same way that Jesus obtained a donkey to enter Jerusalem a few days earlier, He simply has a couple of disciples go into the city, find a man, and explain “the Teacher needs your room.” During the meal, Jesus initiates the Lord’s Supper. His sacrifice was a clear fulfillment of what the meal symbolized – liberation and deliverance. Many elements of the feast are present in Matthew’s account – from the drinking of wine to the singing of a hymn.

Jesus takes His closest disciples to pray with Him at Gethsemane (“oil-press”), an olive orchard at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus had warned the disciples they would scatter and betray Him tonight. They all vehemently denied this, even saying they would die for Him. Yet, they disobey the very next instruction given by Jesus – “stay awake.” It is clear that Jesus had a very human body, and did not want to suffer the excruciating pain that was coming, as He prayed three times for this “cup” to be taken from Him. When Judas arrived with the temple guards and mob to arrest Jesus, He could have called down legions of angels. Rather than meeting violence with violence, He went willingly. As Jesus predicted, the disciples fled.

The rest of the chapter gives us the story of Jesus’ initial trial, which was religious in nature. His secular trial before Pilate was yet to come. Peter, listening from outside, would deny even knowing Jesus. The Sanhedrin in this case was the governing religious body in Israel, which Rome allowed to settle religious and customary matters. It consisted of the High Priest and 70 members. The outcome of the trial was predetermined – Jesus had to be eliminated. Now they just needed evidence to fit the verdict. Several “witnesses” came forward, but nothing that would cause Pilate to take action stuck. Finally, Jesus was convicted on two counts – speaking against the Temple, and failing to deny He was the Son of God.

Today’s sermon will remember Jesus’ submission to the will of God, and challenge us to submit as well.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. Is it easier to obey God on the big things (like “Thou shalt not kill”) or the small things (like “’don’t be jealous”)?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• Peter denied knowing Jesus.

• People today deny knowing Jesus, too.

• Jesus took the cup for God.

• Jesus takes the cup for us.

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means daily obedience to God, in matters small and large. In what area of your life have you been denying God access? Step out of your denial, and allow God’s grace to strengthen you in obedience.