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Lesson 66

What About Forty Days?

Luke 24:36-53

It is a strange phenomenon that we can be right at the center of an event and not really comprehend what is taking place. It is almost like we are in the middle of a dream. I have seen an experiment on TV in which a group of people are standing and talking. A person in a gorilla costume walks right between them. Afterwards they are asked which of them saw the intruder. Amazingly, most if all say that they did not see him. I, like most of us, have seen up to someone I should know but because they are dressed differently or in a different environment do not recognize them.

We studied last week about the first appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. They were however limited and could be discounted by His enemies. Peter, they might say, may have been emotionally distraught because of the trauma he had experienced and dreamed up the idea of the appearance. Luke did not indicate that that the women had seen Him but had been told by angels that He had risen from the dead. John wrote that Jesus did actually appear to Mary Magdalene. As mentioned before, the testimony of women was not acceptable in a court of law. Jesus did spend an extensive amount time with the men on the way to Emmaus but even then He had only been seen by a handful of people. It could have been claimed that those men had a personal reason for putting out the word of Jesus’ resurrection. For all who are opponents they would demand more evidence. Thankfully, Luke presents a narrative of multiple appearances. As more and more people saw Jesus it would become more difficult for the religious leaders to make the claims that the resurrection could not have occurred.

Let us continue the narrative started last week of the events of that first day and continuing to the day Jesus ascended into heaven. For all us Luke only paints part of the picture of those forty days. The other gospels fill in the missing pieces which give a more complete picture of those important days.

Luke 24:36-37

The excitement of the news being shared by Peter and the men from Emmaus was interrupted by the appearance of Jesus in their midst. He knew that His presence would be a shock to them. His first action was to calm them as He had done so many times before in very intense and emotional situations.

Their reaction was one of fear and doubt. To have appeared so suddenly caused them to believe that Jesus was not a real person but a spirit.

1. Why did Jesus immediately want them to be at peace? (He knew how they would react, especially from past experiences He had had with them.)

2. What would have been your reaction to someone showing up unexpected?

3. Why did Jesus choose that particular time to appear? (Because all of the disciples, except Thomas, were there in the upper room where they had celebrated the last supper.)

4. Why did He feel it necessary to appear before a larger gathering and not each individual disciple? (It eliminates the possibility as the critics have claimed that the people were hallucinating. It is impossible for a number of people to experience the same hallucination at the same time.)

5. What are some valid examples of hallucinations? (Mirages in the desert are one type. Sadly, drugs also induce them. Even then they are all individual and different.)

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Luke 24:38-40

Things had not changed much from the last time they had seen Jesus. They were still having a difficult time grappling with the idea of a person they had seen die could be alive. It appears that just about all of them were wrestling with their own set of doubts even from what they had heard from Peter, the women and the men from Emmaus. Once again He had to have them get beyond the doubts they had to the reality of the truth before they could even begin to be useful. Knowing their lack of faith was a block to believing He began to present physical evidence that the being standing before them was actually their risen Savior.

1. Why were they still having problems understanding the resurrection?

2. Why was it necessary for them to accept the truth that God had indeed raised Jesus from the dead? (It would impossible for them to give testimony to something they did not know as true.)

3. What is it in your own life that may cause you to have doubts?

4. Why was it important for them to see the physical evidence of the crucifixion?

5. What kind of evidence do you need to make you believe something?

Luke 24:41-43

Even seeing the wounds did not fully convince them that Jesus was a real person and not a spirit. They truly wanted to believe but it was still possible that what they were experiencing was too good to be true. To convince them that He had risen in a physical body, He asked them for something to eat. While they were standing there in complete amazement He began to eat the broiled fish they provided.

1. Why was seeing the wounds not enough to convince them that Jesus had risen from the dead? (He still may have been a spirit. They could not have known what a person returning from the grave might look like.)

2. In what tangible way did He provide the evidence that they needed?

3. What in your life has been so overwhelming that you have had trouble accepting it even when given what others would consider conclusive evidence?

4. Why is it important that you know without a doubt that Jesus is who He says He is?

5. What evidence do you need to believe that fact?

6. What keeps you from discovering that evidence? (One reason is that a person is not willing to spend time in God’s word which provides more than ample proof that Jesus is God and the Savior of the world. If you do not think so now is the time to either disprove God’s word or accept it based on careful and open minded study.)

Luke 24:44

They had seen Him and had watched Him eat. Now they had to do one last thing which eliminate all doubt. They were to remember. Not only did they need to reflect on everything He had done during the three and one half years but to call to mind the ongoing message to them. They were to refresh their minds and accept that everything He had told them was about His death, burial and resurrection was the fulfillment of all the prophecies in the Writings of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms.

1. What did He want them to remember?

2. Why was it important for them to remember what was written in the Old Testament? (It told of all the things that had were going to happen to Him.)

3. What are some of the things that were taught to you from your childhood to this point that helped you become a follower of Christ? (See 2 Timothy 3:14-15)

4. Why was their testimony going to be so critical for the early church and even us today?

5. Why is it so critical for you to be able to give an answer for the reason that you believe in Jesus?

Luke 24:45-46

Not only did Jesus indicate that the Old Testament spoke of the things that had occurred but then share with them what would called today chapter and verse. He wanted to make sure they understood what the Scripture had to say about Him. One can only imagine how He made the words come alive as their taught them once again. With Jesus standing there before them how clear His words would have become to them. They heard what it would take for them to become apostles and leaders in the early church. There are over three hundred prophecies that were fulfilled or will be completed in the last days. All of them and all of God’s word points to Jesus. He however limited His sharing that day to those referring to His suffering, dying and being raised from the dead.

1. Why did Jesus believe it was necessary to go into detail of what the Old Testament had to say about Him? (So that the disciples would believe that He truly was the Savior of the world.)

2. Why was He selective? (He may have overwhelmed them with too many details when they were just getting a grip on the fact that the resurrected Jesus was standing before them.)

3. What are the tools that each of us need to witness to our faith? (The very things that Jesus shared with them that night.)

4. What is it that we need to understand about the Bible? (It is all about Jesus from beginning to end.)

5. When have been times when God’s word has really come alive to you?

Luke 24:47-49

It appears that Luke then compressed the message Jesus had for His disciples that they heard over the next forty days into three verses. Jesus began to lay out for them the task that lay ahead for them. They were to proclaim His forgiveness for all those who repented. It was not only for the Jews but was to be shared with all people in every nation. The forgiveness of which He spoke would not be found in the law but in His name only. They had been with Him and seen and heard all that He had done the last three and a half years which had culminated in His presence with them during those important days of continual teaching. Their responsibilities were to witness to others the truth about the One who had come to give life to all because of what He did on the cross and His resurrection.

Here is these verses is the connection with the book of Acts. Jesus had promised that He was going to send the Holy Spirit to be with them. Here He was reinforcing that promise. Like in Acts they were told not to leave Jerusalem until they received the power to go out and witness in His name.

1. Why did Luke compress the events of the forty days between the resurrection and the ascension? (John covered some of the details and Luke elaborated of that time in the Acts.)

2. What was the task given to the disciples?

3. Why did Jesus emphasize the repentance of mankind would come through His name only? (The Law was not capable of providing forgiveness or salvation.)

4. How does it match what we are called to do today?

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5. To what are we to witness today?

6. Why are we sometimes not adequate to the task? (We try to do it in our own power.)

7. Why did the disciples have to wait until Pentecost before receiving the empowering of the Holy Spirit? (They were not ready and needed the forty plus days for further instruction.)

Luke 24:50-52

After three and one half years the earthly ministry was coming to an end. Luke wrote the disciples followed Jesus out to Bethany. He blessed them and ascended into heaven. The response of the disciples was to worship the One who had completed all that He was to do during His lifetime. They then went back to Jerusalem as Jesus had commanded them. From that point on they found themselves in the temple continually praising God for all He had done. Luke wrote in Acts that they were constantly together united in prayer. As important was they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

1. Why was important that Jesus ascend into heaven? (So the Holy Spirit would come.)

2. Why did it have to be a obvious break with His earthly presence? (They would continually expect Him to show up to help them out of every situation.)

3. Why was it important for them to stay in Jerusalem? (They needed to be united with each other and was the place where they would be able to have the greatest immediate impact.)

4. What two important actions did the disciples take in the days following the ascension? (They spent time worshipping in the temple and praying together building a unified body of believers.)

5. What lesson can be learned from their actions?

• Know why you believe in Jesus.

• Do not always accept what others are saying with searching for answers on your own.

• Look to God’s word for the answers to any doubts you may have.

• Prepare your heart and mind to be ready to witness to the truth.

• Read some good books that provide evidence for the truth about the resurrection. They are called books on apologetics which is the defense of the gospels.

The suggestions made above are critical to the welfare of the church. We can be sure that the enemies of christianity are sitting back waiting for us to wake up. They are aggressively seeking every way possible to destroy what has been the foundation of society for two thousand years. Thankfully there is so much material available to us today that reinforces what we read in the Bible. Most us do not have the ability or the means to spend hours upon hours of research. There are dedicated theologians and scholars who have poured over manuscripts that have validated the accuracy and infallibility of the Scriptures

The instructions Jesus gave to His disciples are meant for us today. Paul told Timothy to teach trustworthy men the truth so that they could pass it on to the next generation. See 2 Tim. 2:2. Our task has become more urgent because our young people are being bombarded from every direction with the lies of the humanistic ideology. It is time we reclaimed the territory lost because of we have not been equipping ourselves to defeat the enemy. The Holy Spirit will teach us what to do if we just let Him. It is time to get to work and not waste another day.

Lesson 65

Hallelujah an Empty Tomb

Luke 24:1-50

I do not know if the good old days can really be called the good old days. There have always been problems that every generation has faced from world wars, depressions and recessions, famines and disasters. Depending on when a person has lived life has presented challenges. I can verify that in my own life. Because of what has occurred I personally would not want to be one who want to relive my life over again even with the thought that things might have been different the second time around. Most likely because of my personality nothing would have changed. With everything that is happening today it is better to live the days we have to the best of our ability.

The one area where in my life the good old days were just that. As I grew up in the church there I was not aware of all the discussion that goes on today about Jesus. I knew that there were those who were not Christians but it never dawned on me that it was because they doubted that Jesus was God and that He had lived, died, been buried and rose again from the dead. To me that information was an undeniable fact. My awareness of those who are in opposition to the teachings of the Bible began as an adult. It has become more important than ever for each of us to study apologetics and theology because atheists are more vocal and have the backing of so many in the academics and the media. More and more we can find books and articles being written to defend both camps. For me nothing has changed. I still believe that God’s record in His word is the absolute truth.

The more believers fail to uphold God’s word as infallible the greater the foothold non-believers will gain in education, the family and the church. So few today study the Bible so that they can give provide an adequate defense when speaking with unbelievers. Because we have been weak in sharing the truth found in the Scripture our young people are being misguided by teachers and professors. It is important that we believe and wake from our spiritual laziness before all is lost.

The death and resurrection of Jesus has greater evidence verifying it than many events that have taken place in history. We will talk about some of those today. Others are found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-9. Others outside the christian faith like Josephus the Roman historian speaks of Jesus in His writings.

Luke 24:1-2

The women who had followed Jesus had obey the command to keep the Sabbath holy. On the first day of the week, Sunday, they came to carry out the ritual of properly preparing the body of Christ for burial. The time the body would spend in the tomb would be one year when the bones would be removed and put into a box called an ossary. This would allow for the grave to be used over and over.

In the Old Testament Sarah, Abraham, Leah and Jacob were all buried in the same cave in the field of Machpelah (See Genesis 25:9)

Although Luke did not mentioned it the other gospels spoke of the the problem the women saw facing them. The Stone in front of the opening was extremely heavy and was in a groove tilted downward making it easier to cover the opening than moving it back up the incline. It is hard to imagine what the women expected to do. To their surprise when they arrived at the tomb the stone was not in front of the door. One writer wrote that it had actually it had been lifted from the groove and set to one side.

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1. Why did the women wait two days before coming to the tomb? (Nothing could be done on

2. What was the procedure of burial according to Jewish tradition? (See above)

3. Friday because of the lateness of the hour before Passover and the next day was the Sabbath

   when every Jew was to have a day of complete rest. To prepare the body of Jesus would have been seen as work.)

4. What was the dilemma the women faced? (The stone was to heavy for them to move.)

5. What would have been your first thoughts when you came to the tomb?

Luke 24:3-7

Their first action was to go into the tomb to begin the task making final preparations on the body. What they found to their surprise was an empty tomb. They like anyone else could not figure what had occurred. While they were trying to figure out the scene two men in dazzling clothing appeared to them with a message. Jesus was not there because He had risen. They went on to refresh their memories. Jesus had told them everything that was going to occur including be handed over to the Gentiles for execution, His crucifixion and His resurrection three days later.

1. When the women discovered the stone was gone what did they intend to do?

2. What did they discover in the tomb?

3. Why were they astonished?

4. Why was the message of the angels so important? (Refreshed their memories of the words of Jesus.)

5. Why is the message of the angels so important to you? (Reinforces the words of Jesus and declares the truth of them.)

Luke 24:8-10

Upon hearing the words of the angels they remembered all Jesus had said. Filled with all the sights at the tomb and the words they had heard they headed off to bring the news to the disciples who were still in hiding. Luke wrote that the first people who heard the news were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary, the mother of James. It would strange for the women to be the recipient of such news. In that society their testimony would not even be accepted in a court of law.

1. Why did it take the words of the angels to jog the memories of the women? (Grief probably clouded their thought processes. They were also caught by surprise with the experiences at the tomb.

2. What was the first thing they knew they had to do? (Tell someone the good news.)

3. Why was it unusual for women to be given such important information?

4. What are some the things that you find hard to believe?

5. What do you say to a person who shares the information?

Luke 24:11

When the disciples heard the news they did not believe the women. It appears that they babbling. There may also been some prejudice against women existing among the disciples because of the culture. Their speech probably reflected their excitement about the news that they were sharing. It was also possible that the news beyond belief that anyone could raise from the dead.

1. Why did the disciples not believe them? (They may have been somewhat incoherent because

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   of their excitement.)

2. What was the main reason they had a problem with the words of the women? (It was difficult to rationalize the idea of someone rising up from being dead three days.)

3. When have there been times when you have been so excited that you could not describe the scene clearly?

4. Which of the two groups were justified in what they believed?

5. How difficult is it for you to accept message of the women?

Luke 24:12

Peter made an important decision that gave some credence to the story told by the women. Luke wrote that Peter went to the tomb to see for himself what had happened. John wrote that both he and Peter went to the tomb. They saw the evidence left behind by the risen Lord. His burial wrappings were still there undisturbed as Jesus had departed from them not needing them anymore. Peter then returns to his home and according to Luke does not return to be with the other disciples. It is possible he needed time alone to put all the pieces of evidence together. There is one more important fact to be gleaned from the text. The fact that Peter and John went to the tomb would discount the false statements by the enemies of Christ that the disciples had stolen the body. Why would Peter have gone to a place that He knew the body of Jesus would not be found.

1. What event gave credence to the story of the women?

2. What was the difference in the narratives of John and Luke?

3. What did Peter and John see in the tomb?

4. Why did he go home and not return to the place where the other disciples were staying?

5. How did the fact that Peter and John going to tomb give strong evidence that Jesus was indeed risen and the disciples did not steal the body as his enemies claimed?

6. How does this information help you to face those who claim that Jesus did not raise from the grave?

7. What did His enemies have to do to undermine Christianity? (Produce the body.)

Luke 24:13-16

While those events were taking place. Two men were returning to their home in Emmaus which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. They had been with the other disciples during the day. As they walked along they were discussing all that had taken place. Jesus suddenly came up to them and began walking along with them but they did not recognize Him. William Barclay once said that one of the reasons they did know Him was they were looking into the sunset not the sunrise. Like the others they could not comprehend the fact that a man could be raised from the dead. One other possible reason was they did not expect Him to be there waling along with them.

1. Why were the two men returning home? (As far as they were concerned nothing new was to be learned that day.)

2. In what ways were they like us? (We have a tendency to rehash today’s news over and over again almost as if we expect a different result.)

3. Why did Jesus appear to these two men? (To show the reality of His resurrection beyond a few of His closest followers.)

4. Why did they not recognize Jesus?

5. Why did they have trouble recognizing Him? (Not expecting Him.)

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Luke 24:17-18

Jesus began His conversation with them by asking what they were talking about. That question stunned them. There was a genuine sadness about them when they had to explain again all that had happened. One of the men, Cleopas had trouble understanding how anyone who had been in Jerusalem over the past several days and not understand what had happened.

1. Why do you think Jesus asked them what they were talking about? (He wanted to understand their mindset. If He were to share with them the good news would they comprehend it.)

2. Why were the men so sad at the question asked by Jesus? (They had to explain again the thing that was so hurtful to them.)

3. Why was Cleopas’ reaction understandable?

4. How would you react to someone who answered as Jesus did about a story that had been in the papers, magazines, social media and TV?

Luke 24:19-24

Still trying to determine what the men believed, Jesus asked again what are you talking about. Cleopas began paint a picture of what he thought about Jesus the Nazarene. He said

• He was a mighty prophet in word and deed before God and man.

• The Jewish religious leaders delivered Him to the Romans to be killed.

• The Romans then carried out the execution by way of crucifixion.

Like many all over Israel from Galilee to Judea the people had hoped that He was to be the redeemer of Israel. Three day had past since all of this had happened and nothing verifiable has occurred to the contrary. There was one glimmer of hope however that some of the women who had followed Jesus had reported that the tomb was empty and they had seen angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Cleopas then mentioned the trip by Peter and John to the tomb who found everything just as the women had told them. However no one had actually seen Him alive. It was obvious that they did not know at that time about the appearance to Mary and Peter that had occurred sometime that day.

1. What was accurate about there account?

2. What disappointment can you read into the words spoken by Cleopas?

3. What did he leave out of his narrative? (That Jesus had promised that He would rise up on the third day.)

4. Why did Cleopas leave it out? (Because it was the third day and there was no concrete physical evidence to be had.)

5. Why did Jesus allow him to continue? (To ready them for His disclosure.)

6. What was the conclusive evidence did they need to believe? (To see Him in person.)

Luke 24:25-27

Jesus admonished them because like the disciples they had not had enough faith to know that He would do exactly as He promised. Their loss had clouded their minds. Jesus told them everything that the prophets had spoken had to be fulfilled in Him. The Christ had to suffer before He could enter into His glory. From Genesis to Malachi He showed how He was the One about each of the authors had written.

1. Why did Jesus scold the men? (They above all people should have understood what the Scriptures had to say about the Messiah.)

2. Why did Jesus start with Moses in telling about Himself? (He was in the beginning with God and was active throughout the history of the Jewish people.)

3. What did these words mean to the men? (There was hope in a hopeless world.)

4. What assurance should this provide for us?

5. What does it not give us assurance of who Jesus is? (We do not take the time to search the Bible for the truths presented there.)

Luke 24:28-29

That must have been the most interesting journey known to mankind. The miles must have seemed as nothing as they listened to the words of Jesus from the inspired word of God. Jesus acted as if He planned to travel on that night. It is an example of Him not imposing on anyone unless invited. When they reached their home they invited Him to stay with them. To be sure they wanted to hear more. There were a couple of other reasons. First, was a practical one. Like today it was not safe for a man to travel alone at night. More importantly, hospitality was a way of life in the middle east at that time. He accepted their invitation and went in to dine with them.

1. What do you think that trip to Emmaus was like for the two men?

2. What were the things they were able to put out of their minds? (The world was not so hopeless according to the words falling from this man’s lips.)

3. Who is a speaker that you could spend hours hearing? (Why?

4. What can we learn from the fact that Jesus acted as if He was going to continue His journey? (He will never force His presence on anyone.)

5. Why would the men have invited Him into their home?

Luke 24:30-31

It was time for the revealing of who He was to those two men. When He went into the home and reclined at the table, He quickly took on the role of the host. As He had done at the Last Supper, He took the bread, broke and gave it to them to eat. It was at that moment that the spiritual blinders came off and they recognized Him. Immediately He disappeared. His work with them was complete for the time being.

1. Why did He take over the role as host? (He came to serve not to be served.)

2. Why did that one act help them to recognize Him? (It was the familiar act that He had done so many times before especially at the last supper.)

3. Why did He not stay with them any longer? (His work with them was complete. Besides if He had stayed the men would not have gone back to Jerusalem to share what they had experienced.

4. At what point do you feel you are ready to share the good news of Jesus with others?

5. If not why are you hesitant?

Luke 24:32

When Jesus disappeared the two men began to discuss the experience. Their works speak volumes to mankind today. Time in God’s word should set our hearts on fire with the message it has for man. If one does not sense the Holy Spirit working to change one’s life then it may be time to look at the relationship he or she has with the Son. The Bible should be the most exciting and challenging written

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word that one spends time reading. Remember it is the inspired word of God. It is the message of His grace from Genesis to Revelation. It is the word that those two men heard that night. With the living word right before them their eyes were opened to the truth of resurrection.

1. How did the two men view the experience they had just had?

2. When has been an occasion when you have been overwhelmed by God’s presence as you have read or studied His word?

3. If you have not what do you believe is missing?

4. What will do you do to change your life to fully accept what God is trying to do for you?

5. How much of the Bible speaks of Jesus?

6. How do you know?

7. In what ways do you want God’s word to become real to you?

8. What is important about this narrative about the two men?

Luke 24:33-35

They could not keep the good news to themselves. They got up after dark and returned the seven miles back to Jerusalem. They wanted to be with the other believers at that momentous time. More importantly they had a message to share. One can only imagine the excitement that night. Jesus had already appeared to Peter. To add to that news they were able to share what the had happened to them as they travelled and reclined to have a meal.

1. In what ways do you feel a kinship to the two men on that night?

2. How far are you will to go out of your way to share about Jesus?

3. What does our willingness to go say about our relationship with Christ?

4. When have been some of your greatest times of sharing God’s word with other believers?

5. What two examples does this narrative give about good times to discuss God’s Word?

I did not add practical tips to this lesson because I felt that this was the first of a two part lesson dealing with the last forty days of Jesus’ earthly stay from Resurrection Day to His ascension. His work was not complete until the time the Holy Spirit would come into the lives of the disciples. Let us continue on with the end of the chapter.

Lesson 64

Crucifixion

Luke 23:26-56

Funerals for the most part are not pleasant experiences. Even though we talk about a celebration time for those who have followed Jesus faithfully, it is still a time of separation and loss. The closer to the one who passes from this life are to us the harder it is to accept. The older I get the more I see my own family passing. My mother had eleven brothers and sisters. At this point there are just three of them left.

The saddest thing for a family to experience and I am right in that group is to realize that some of one’s love ones are going out into eternity lost. They cannot change where they are going to be because of decisions made in this lifetime. Knowing that for many in my family, because we are aging, the time was short I tried to share with them the importance of a spiritual relationship with God. Thankfully, I know that my mother is a believer and when she leaves this world she will go to be with Christ. The Bible tells us that He is delaying the return of His Son because He wants everyone who will accept Him to have the opportunity to do so. Being a compassionate God He does not desire for one single person to choose an eternity separated from Him.

Each person in my family has left a legacy of one kind or another. My hope is that what I leave behind in my children and grandchildren is a love for Jesus. The world makes it harder to do so, but I believe that I don’t have to know how God is going to work out their future. The one thing of which I am sure is God is always here if we will just acknowledge Him.

The Church, being the people of God, suffer losses in different ways. For some the departure of a beloved Pastor who is taking a new position somewhere else is a cause of grieving. There are those who mourn the loss of a Sunday School teacher who was so caring and even may have led them to the Lord. Everyone who has been faithful servants leaves a emptiness in the heart of one he or she has touched with his or her life.

The departure can be devastating if preparation has not been done to carry on the work by those remaining. A good leader prepares the church. A faithful servant leaves a legacy in the lives that have been changed. Although we will not look at that aspect in the lesson today, Jesus had prepared His disciples for his returning to the Father. Of course they could not see it in the midst of the grieving they were to experience in the next two days but they were well on the road to carry on His work.

Jesus had said in the Garden that the hour had come. We shall see how that hour truly was in the next two weeks.

Luke 23:26

The trial and brutality of that trial were over. Now Jesus was on His way to Calvary. The procession would have would taken Him and the other prisoners by the longest way possible. There were two reasons to do so.

• To provide an opportunity for someone to step forward and prove the innocence of the condemned

• To act as a deterrent to those who might think about committing any crime.

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By this point Jesus would have been beaten down physically to the point that He would have been unable to carry the cross beam of the cross which would have been strapped to His shoulders. When the soldiers saw that He could not handle the burden they pulled a man from the crowd to carry it the rest of the way to the place of crucifixion. Luke identifies him as Simon of Cyrene which is present day Tripoli, Libya. That may have been his only trip to Jerusalem during the passover and now he wound up carrying the cross of a criminal. There is no way to know for sure but sometime between his conscription and Jesus being nailed to the cross his whole attitude changed. Mark wrote that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21) Later Paul mentioned Rufus in Romans 16:13 calling him a “a choice man in the Lord.” Some scholars believe that Simon was Simeon called Niger. He was one of the founders of the church at Antioch. (Acts 13:1)

1. Why did the Romans march condemned criminals through the streets of Jerusalem the longest way possible? (See above)

2. What was one of the last disgraces a criminal faced? (Having to carry his own cross.)

3. What is important about Simon? (A man taken from the crowd became a follower of Christ, as well as his sons.)

4. How would you respond to be chosen for a demeaning task?

5. What are the things that you admire about Simon?

6. Why did Mark specifically mention Alexander and Rufus? (Evidently they well known in the Christian movement in the early church.)

Luke 23:27-31

Many were following him mourning because of what was about to happen. Jesus turned to them and told them they should be mourning for themselves because their future was to be horrific. Within the life time of those in the crowd, the Romans would completely destroy their way of life. They would experience famine and even resort to cannibalism before Jerusalem was destroyed. It would get so bad that it would be better for families not to even have children.

He finally told them that if the Romans were a party to killing the innocent Son of God, then they would have no problem bringing destruction to people who deserved it. They would face punishment because they defied and rebelled against the Romans who had dominion over them.

1. Why were the people who were following the possession mourning for Jesus? (They continued to admire Him. Many had probably been healed or believed in His teaching?

2. In what ways might they be in mourning for themselves?

3. What lay in the future for the Jews of Jerusalem?

4. Why would the Romans bring such destruction on Jerusalem? (They had rejected the Savior and rebelled against the Roman authority.)

5. How did Jesus compare Himself with the rest of the citizens including the religious leadership.)

6. What would Jesus say to us today if He were to be present with us?

Luke 23:32

Along with Jesus two others were going to be crucified. The difference was they were actually criminals who were to be punished for their illegal activities.

1. Why did Luke mention the two criminals at this point? (They would play a part in Christ’s crucifixion.)

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2. What was the difference between Jesus and those two men?

3. In what ways would you be guilty enough to be judged with the death penalty?

Luke 23:33-34

Luke does not go into a great deal of detail of the actual process of crucifixion. Again He mentioned the two criminals who were on both sides of Jesus. It appears that he believed it was important, because of his intended audience, to share the things that Jesus said on the cross and the actions of those around Him than the physical.

In the four gospels there are seven statements made by Jesus. Here is one of those statements. He prayed that God would forgive those who were crucifying and mocking Him. While He was saying those words the Romans were busy gambling for His clothes. What a contrast between the two.

1. Why did Luke bypass the physical part of the crucifixion? (Theophilus would have been very familiar with the methods used to crucify a person.)

2. What does it say about Jesus that He asked God to forgive those who were killing Him?

3. What were the Romans doing while Jesus suffered?

4. If someone causes you great suffering how would you react to them?

5. What would be the most difficult part of forgiving them?

Luke 23:35-37

Evidently those closest to the cross were His persecutors. They looked up at Him with an air of superiority. The crowd was:

• Sneering at Him

• Challenging Him to save Himself.

The Romans were:

• Offering sour wine which would increased His thirst.

• Calling for Him to save Himself

1. Who were those closest to the cross?

2. What were they saying to Him?

3. How did their words fit the prophecy that the hour of darkness belonged to them?

4. In what ways did the Romans join in to the mocking?

5. How do you handle yourself when the crowd begins to ridicule others?

Luke 23:38

In the face of all the ridicule Luke notes the placard that would have gone before Jesus as He made His way to Golgotha. It read “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Once the cross had been set in place it was now nailed to the cross. According to John the Jewish leadership was offended by the wording on the placard and requested that Pilate change it. It was Pilate’s one moment for revenge and victory over the leaders. He refused to alter what he had written. (John 19:21-22) It is amazing that in his attempt to put the Jews in their place he actually spoke the truth concerning Jesus.

1. How important was the information of the placard? (It identified the crime for which the person was convicted?

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2. Why would the Jews have a problem with the title, King of the Jews?

3. Why did Pilate use the title?

4. In what way did Pilate unwittingly speak the truth?

5. What is sad about what Pilate did? (He was not willing to stand up to the religious leaders when it really meant something.)

Luke 23:39-41

Luke then returned to the two criminals. One of them joined into the abuse of Jesus. The other man however rebuked him. In clear terms he let the man know that they were on the cross because they deserved to be punished for crimes committed. He recognized that Jesus was indeed was innocent.

1. What was the attitude of one of the criminals?

2. What was he to gain by joining in with the abuse?

3. How did the other man react to the first man’s words?

4. What did he recognize about Jesus?

5. What could either of the men expect to happen because of their sins?

Luke 23:42-43

He then turned to Jesus and requested that, Jesus, remember him when He came into His kingdom. He could not have understood the full implication of that request. Beyond his wildest imagination, Jesus promised him what he did not deserve. Upon their death the man would accompany Jesus into heaven. Those very words once again confirmed in the strongest way that Jesus believed Himself to be the Savior of the world and the Son of God.

1. What request did the man make to Jesus?

2. In the mind of the man what could it have meant? (Certainly not eternal life but Jesus remember his kind words.)

3. What did Jesus do that the man could not have expected?

4. What does His actions say to us? (That He provides salvation for all us who do not deserve it.)

5. What claims did Jesus make with His statement?

Luke 23:44-45

The last three hours of Jesus’ time on the cross were accompanied an unusual natural phenomena. The sky was darkened because the sun was obscured. Of religious significance, the veil was torn not from the bottom to the top but from the top to the bottom. God had torn down the curtain that spoke of the separation of man from God and also kept man separate from other men.

1. What was the first thing that took place that Christ’s battle with sin was coming to an end? (The sky became dark.)

2. What was the significance of the curtain being torn from top to bottom? (God did it thus signifying God removing all barriers separating man from Him.)

3. Why was it important for us? (We can now enter into the holy of holies where God resides.)

Luke 23:46

At about three o’clock Jesus spoke three of the last seven statements from the cross. In Luke Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5. His last act of faith is to totally give Himself over to the Father in death. He trusted that His Father

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is going to do all that He has promised and Jesus will rise from the dead. The matter was no longer in His hands. In Matthew Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 concerning the abandonment that He felt by His Father. Finally in victory He said in a loud voice, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He had accomplished all that God had called Him to do and it was over. He had won and satan had been defeated.

1. What were the last three statements on the cross? (Psalm 22:1; 31:5; John 19:30.)

2. What were the significance of each of them?

3. What does what occurred mean to us?

4. What should His absolute faith in His Father, even in death, mean to us?

5. Who was victorious on the cross? (Jesus and us.)

6. Why do we no longer have to fear the devil?

Luke 23:47-49

There were varied responses brought on by His death. The centurion did something totally out of character. He began praising God for what he had observed and declared the innocence of Jesus. In Matthew and Mark he even when further stating that Jesus was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39) The crowds that come to watch returned home beating their chests in deep anguish at the loss of the man they believed was the Messiah. The final group who had followed Him loyally stayed at a distance from the cross seeing all of the events unfolding before them. Jesus was dead.

1. How did the death of Jesus affect those within view of the event?

2. Which of them expressed the greatest faith?

3. What did it mean for the crowds who had been watching?

4. What did it mean for the women and others who were His loyal followers?

Luke 23:50-54

Joseph of Arimathea did a brave thing. His actions would have certainly gotten him in trouble with the Sanhedrin. In spite of the possibility of facing ostracism He went and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Not a one of His followers had a right to claim the body because none of them were citizens of Jerusalem. Without the decision of Joseph who had become a disciple Jesus would have been cast out on the garbage heap to be burned with rest of the trash. Legend has it that Jesus was buried in Joseph’s own tomb. As was customary a large stone was then rolled across the door of the tomb. Luke did not go into the detail describing how the religious leaders demanded that the tomb be sealed and guards placed there to keep the disciples from stealing the body of Jesus.

1. What did Joseph of Arimathea’s actions show about him?

2. What would have happened to Jesus if he had not come forth?

3. Why could His followers not claim His body?

4. What showed Joseph’s real attachment to Jesus? (He buried Him in his own tomb.)

5. Why did they bury Him and not prepare His body for burial? (It was the day of preparation for the Sabbath.)

6. Why did Luke leave out the details that the other writers presented? (He only needed to show that Jesus was dead which Joseph and Pilate knew was a fact.)

Luke 23:55-56

Unlike the disciples who were no where to be seen at this point the women went with Joseph to the

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grave site to see where Jesus was laid. It was important for them to know because they were planning to prepare the spices and perfumes that would be use to give a proper burial for their Lord. The next day being the Sabbath they had to stay in their homes and could do nothing. This means that Jesus would have been dead from Friday until Sunday. To anoint His body at that point would not be a pleasant experience.

1. Why does Luke not mention the disciples at all during this time? (They were hiding away because of fear.)

2. Where would you have been during all this time?

3. What does this episode show about the women?

4. What were they intending to do?

• Consider if someone was walking before you with a placard (sign board) describing who you are. What would it say?

• From the very words of Jesus understand what you deserve and what He has done for you.

• Like the criminal beside Jesus make sure you have repented of your sins.

• Do not let anyone try to convince you that the Bible is not true regarding the death of Jesus. Evidence shows that He truly died for our sins.

• Be a strong witness to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.

• Do not let losses in your life destroy you but be strong to carry on the work begun by those who have gone on before you.

The church is always stronger than one person or group of people. Jesus left the earth with the full assurance that all of God’s promises would be fulfilled through His people. Jesus opened the door for the salvation of God’s people. He also left behind eleven frightened men who in just a short while would have the boldness and courage to take His message around the world. Whenever the Lord removes a person from the local body of His church, He will always provide those dedicated followers who will carry on His work. Sometimes a person may be removed by transfer or other reasons to help others grow. Each of us has a responsibility to prepare the next generation of believers. The last command in Matthew was for disciples to make disciples by baptizing them and above all teaching them God’s word. Jesus did not leave those behind to fail. They did not nor are we to be the generation that does. Luke 9:10 tells us to put our hand to whatever task we are given to move God’s kingdom forward and to not look back. Our faithfulness is the only thing that makes us fit for God’s kingdom.