Chapter 27 of The Story April 5, 2015

Chapter 27

Matthew 27-28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 19-21

Jesus rose from the dead, spent time with His followers, and gave them instructions to tell the whole world. Chapter 27 is the climax of The Story.  After the darkness of Friday, we celebrate the brightness of Sunday.  If Jesus had not risen from the dead, what would He be to us today?  

Chapter 27

The darkness of the crucifixion made it look like this story was over. But God showed Himself as the victor over sin and death as He raised His Son from the dead. The Story continues. And as The Story goes on we are invited to intertwine our story with God’s. He has called us, commanded us and equipped us to join Him in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.

Resurrection

What happened to Jesus after the crucifixion?

The Tomb
Pages 381–382

The Jewish leaders wanted the crucified bodies brought down before the Sabbath began at sunset Friday. Because crucifixion victims had to push up on their feet to breathe, the soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves, guaranteeing death within minutes. But when they reached Jesus, they could see He was no longer breathing. A soldier plunged his spear into Jesus’ side, piercing the lungs and heart, and causing a flow of blood and water. There was no doubt: He was dead.


The Jewish leaders were not unanimous in condemning Jesus. Two of them, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, placed Jesus’ lifeless, battered body in a new tomb belonging to Joseph. There they wrapped it in linen strips and a shroud, using an amount of spices one would use for a king. They rolled a stone in front of the tomb.


1. (a) Why had Joseph kept the fact that he was a disciple of Jesus’ a secret (John 19:38)? (b) By caring for Jesus’ body, Joseph and Nicodemus publicly declared they were followers. What were they risking? (c) What are ways you let non-Christians know you follow Christ? (d) If you are Jesus’ disciple, prayerfully consider if there is anyone from whom you’ve been keeping your discipleship a secret. What can you do to change that?

The Risen Lord

Pages 382–384

Arising before dawn on Sunday, a few women courageously headed to the tomb with more spices. There they discovered an angel had rolled back the stone from the tomb and the guards were shaking in fright.


2. (a) The angel told them not to fear. What did he say happened to Jesus (Matthew 28:5–6)? (b) What evidence did he give them (28:6)? (c) They saw the empty grave clothes, but did not understand. What did the angel tell them to do (28:7)?

Frightened and bewildered, they found the disciples and told them someone had taken the body. Peter and John ran to the tomb.


3. (a) What did the disciples see when they looked into the tomb (John 20:6–7)? (b) If someone had stolen the body, the linen strips and head cloth would have been missing or in disarray, not folded where the body had been. What did seeing the cloths like this cause John to do (20:8)? (c) What did they not understand still (20:9)? (d) Describe an event that confused you before you understood Scripture better.

Crying, Mary Magdalene followed the disciples back to the tomb. After the disciples left, she looked in and saw two angels. They asked her why she was crying.


4. What did Mary answer the angels (John 20:13)?



Still not understanding, she turned and saw through her tears the figure of a man standing near. Thinking He was the gardener, she asked where the body was.



5. (a) What did the man say (John 20:16)? (b) Who was He? (c) To whom did He say He was returning (20:17)? (d) In large letters, write out what Mary told the disciples (20:18).


6. What does the fact that Jesus’ first appearance was to a woman teach us about how God regards women?


Mary had come looking for a torn and lifeless body, and instead found Jesus whole and alive, standing on feet that had so recently been impaled. It wasn’t possible, and yet…!

Seeing & Believing

Pages 384–386

Later that day, two disciples on their way to a village called Emmaus met Jesus, but didn’t recognize Him immediately. Walking with them, He explained the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.


7. (a) When the man broke bread and gave it to them, what happened to them (Luke 24:30–31)? (b) Something about Jesus’ resurrected body was a little different, so they didn’t recognize Him immediately. What was His body able to do (24:31)? (c) What did the two disciples realize (24:32)?


They hurried back to Jerusalem and found the still frightened disciples in a locked room, talking about how Jesus had appeared to Peter. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them.



8. (a) They thought He was a ghost. What did He ask them (Luke 24:38)? (b) What did Jesus have that ghosts don’t have (24:39)? (c) How did He prove He wasn’t a ghost (24:39–43)?


Those present now believed, but Thomas was missing. When the others told him about the risen Lord, he didn’t believe them.


9. (a) What happened a week later when the disciples were again gathered behind locked doors (John 20:26)? (b) What did Jesus tell Thomas to do (20:27)? (c) What does this tell us about Jesus’ concern for Thomas? (d) What did Thomas call Jesus (20:28)?


If these titles were not true, Jesus would have rebuked Thomas!


10. (a) Who did Jesus say are blessed (20:29)? (b) Are you one of those who are thus blessed?


Jesus had a spiritual body, something unheard of in any culture before. Jews knew humans had physical bodies on earth, and most believed in a resurrection of the spirit. But this body that was recognizable but somewhat different, that could be touched yet could enter through locked doors, that could eat and yet disappear at will, that bore the wounds of honor from his suffering yet without harm—that was entirely new.


This was what Jesus meant when He promised His followers resurrection: one day Jesus “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”

Peter Restored

Pages 386–388

At the Last Supper, Peter had promised greater faithfulness than all the other disciples: “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will,” he said. But that same night, warming himself in front of a fire, Peter disowned Jesus three times, saying, “I don’t know Him.”


Jesus didn’t ignore Peter’s failure, but took steps to show Peter He forgave him and wanted their relationship to continue. One morning, Jesus lit a fire and made breakfast for the disciples. Afterwards he asked Peter three times if he loved Him.


11. (a) Jesus first asked Peter if he loved Him “more than these,” recalling Peter’s claim to greater faithfulness than the others. How does Peter’s reply show a new humility (John 21:15)? (b) Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, leaving no doubt that He was calling Peter to confront his three denials before that other fire. How was Jesus allowing Peter to revoke his denials (21:15–17)? (c) What tasks did Jesus give Peter each time Peter said he loved Jesus? (d) How did this show Peter He forgave and still valued Peter? (e) What does this teach us about God’s willingness to use our strengths despite our weaknesses?


12. (a) What did Jesus tell Peter would happen when he was old (John 21:18–19)? (b) How did this assure Peter that he would have another chance to show his faithfulness? (c) What did Jesus tell Peter to do (21:19)? (d) How did this demonstrate their relationship was fully restored?


As we will see next week, not many days later Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus before a crowd.


In fact, for years to come, Peter proclaimed that he knew Jesus. One day, he received another opportunity to choose between life and acknowledging his relationship to Jesus. Just as Jesus foretold, this time Peter chose crucifixion rather than denying Christ.

The Great Commission

Page 388

Jesus chose his disciples for a purpose. They had a task before them that would take courage.

13. (a) What authority did Jesus now have (Matthew 28:18)? (b) What three things were Jesus’ disciples to go and do (28:18)? (c) What should they remember as they did these things (28:20)? (d) Are you a disciple of Jesus’ who has been baptized and who is obeying Jesus’ commands? (e) If yes, what can you do to guide others into becoming Jesus’ disciples, being baptized, and obeying Jesus?


14. (a) Why were the gospels written (John 20:31)? (b) What is the result of believing Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of God?

AS YOU READ CHAPTER 27

Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next, or spread the questions over the whole week.


1. Read about the disciples on the road to Emmaus (p. 384-385). What part of that story stands out to you the most? How has Jesus’ presence appeared out of the blue to you?


2. Thomas is frequently referred to as “doubting Thomas” (p. 386) because he refused to believe his fellow disciples’ testimonies. Then, a week after the resurrection, he confessed, “My Lord and my God!” Do you think Thomas’ reputation is justified, or do you think he has been labeled unjustly? Why or why not? How has doubt played a helpful role in your spiritual journey?


3. The night before He was crucified, Jesus taught Peter and the other disciples about abiding in Him (John 15:1-5). How does this teaching relate to the fishermen’s miraculous catch and Jesus’ call on Peter’s life (p. 386-387)? Reflecting on these events, how do you know that you can carry out the mission God has for your life? What is that mission?


4. What does Jesus’ Great Commission on the mountain in Galilee require of all His disciples (p. 388)? What are the various ways you can obey this command? What is involved in making disciples? What is a disciple anyway?

5. What parallels can you find between Peter’s denial story (John 18:17-27) and his restoration story (p. 387-388, John 21:15-23)? What does Peter’s restoration reveal about Jesus’ heart? How does that encourage your own ups and downs with Jesus?

6. Now consider how all the different people reacted to the news that Jesus was risen from the dead. When did the living Jesus become real to you? Do you have any treasured Easter worship traditions or memories?

The Passion Story 

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PRAYER: Resurrected God, Thank You for conquering death in Your resurrection and providing an eternal relationship with You. Lord, help me to see the ways You are alive and active in my own life. Help me to see when You are present, just as You helped the disciples on the road to Emmaus. God, help me to be a witness to the ways You live in me through all that I do and say when I encounter others. Amen.



See you on EASTER!!


In His Love,



David & Susan