A Sad Story With A Twist ... Viewing Luke Chapter 23 Prepared by: Soon Siak. September 09 Topics covered ... Who is the murderer? 5 Where are we on the Passion Week? Some highlights before the movie 15 Review of the Movie 20 Workshop time 45 Murderer Game Each of u will be given a slip of paper. Do not let others know what is on the slip. Those slips with an“M” are supposed to “kill” others with a blink of one eye. Those without any markings are supposed to identify who are the deadly ones (with an“M”). However any wrong identification will result in the forfeiting of the one making the guess.Have fun! :-) Outline of the Passion Week Friday Early in the morning, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Pilate tried Jesus again (Matt. 27:1-30; Mark 15:1-19; Luke 22:66—Luke 23:25; John 18:28— John 19:16). Jesus was then led to the cross and crucified at 9: 00 a.m. and died at 3: 00 p.m. and was buried later that day (Matt. 27:31-60; Mark 15:20-46; Luke 23:26-54; John 19:16-42). Christ the Paschal Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7) died at the time when the Israelites were sacrificing their Passover lambs. Trial Before Pilate (23:1-7) The charges were false 1. He had not perverted the nation. Not an imposter 2. He had not forbidden tribute. (20:25) 3. He had refused to allow the people to make Him a king. (John 12:15) Pilate referred Jesus to Herod because 1. he had no authority in Galilee (v7) 2. he wanted to avoid an unpleasant case 3. he hoped to mend a rift between both of them, possibly of the killings of Herod’s subjects (13:1) Jesus Condemned (23:13-25) A well-known robber, Barabbas, who had headed an insurrection and was therefore actually guilty of the very crime of which Jesus had been proclaimed innocent. The people demanded the release of Barrabbas instead. Pilate knew our Lord to be innocent, but he feared to face the consequences of a report to Rome of his cruelty and rapacity (greediness/plundering). He gave a double sentence 1. Releasing a murderer and rebel 2. Condemning to crucifixion the innocent Jesus The Road to the Cross (23:26-31) Jesus cared not for his agony and pain but showed concern for the weeping women. Terrible days were coming when barrenness instead of being a reproach would be accounted a blessing. The horrors of the siege were such that mothers killed their children. Fulfilled at the siege when the Jews hid themselves in the limestone caves (v30). Jesus quoted a proverb suggesting that if His own sufferings were so great, then the sufferings of the Jews will be even more intense (v31). Gethsemane Re-visited (22) (A Medical Perspective) The physical passion of Christ began in Gethsemane. Of the many aspects of His initial suffering, the one which is of particular physiological interest is the bloody sweat. Interestingly enough, the physician, St. Luke, is the only evangelist to mention this occurrence. He says, "And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground" (Luke 22:44 KJV)... Gethsemane Re-visited (22) … Every attempt imaginable has been used by modern scholars to explain away the phenomenon of bloody sweat, apparently under the mistaken impression that it simply does not occur. A great deal of effort could be saved by consulting the medical literature. Though very rare, the phenomenon of hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process alone could have produced marked weakness and possible shock. The Crucifixion (23:33-38) (A medical perspective) As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of this feet... The Crucifixion (23:33-38) ...At this point, another phenomenon occurred. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralyzed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided. Jesus on the Cross (23:39-49) Paradise, “a garden place,” refers to the state of blessedness from death to resurrection. 3 pm and darkness, cannot be an eclipse, for the moon is full at the Passover. Rending of the curtain which divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies: 1. The opening of a new and living way. His death opens the way to the presence of God. 2. The old Dispensation had passed away. Jesus on the Cross (23:39-49) The Seven Words on the Cross 1. “Father, forgive them; for they not not what they do.” (23:34) 2. “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” (23:43) 3. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (23:46) 4. “Woman, behold thy son.” (John 19:26,27) 5. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) 6. “I thirst.” (John 19:28) 7. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Jesus on the Cross (23:39-49) Prophecies fulfilled on the Cross (pg 161) Sufferings “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.” (Is 53:5) Scourging “With his stripes we are healed.” (Is 53:5) Crucifixion “The shall look unto me whom they have pierced.” (Zech 12:10) ... Death “He poured out his soul unto death.” (Is 53:8) Burial “They made his grave … with the rich in his death.” (Is 53:9) Good Friday (Chapter 23) Video show of The Man (track 28:44 -46:31 disc 2) A very important chapter. Follow closely to the account of this very eventful and sad day. Trial Before Pilate (23:1-7) Some past year questions Section A SPM 1990 Pilate said … “I find no crime in this man.”(Luke 23:4) What charges have been brought against Jesus? Why did Pilate send Jesus to Herod? Why was Herod glad to see Jesus? SPM 1991 “I find no crime in this man.” Who said this and to whom? What were the charges against Jesus? What action did the speaker finally take? (Luke 23:4) Jesus on the Cross (23:39-49) Some past year questions Section A SPM 1992 One of the criminals who were hanged, railed at him, saying… (Luke 23:39) What did the criminal say? How did the other criminal react and what is your comment on his reaction? SPM 1996 “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” (Luke 23:40) Who said this and why? What request did the speaker make to Jesus? What did Jesus promise him? Some past year questions (Chapter 23) Section B SPM 1991 Relate (a) the burial of Jesus (b) the events that took place on the morning of the resurrection How did Jesus later prove the reality of his resurrection to the apostles when they were gathered together? SPM 1995 Describe the different reactions of all those who were at the place called the skull when Jesus was taken there. Some past year questions (Chapter 23) Section B SPM 1998 Describe Jesus’ journey to the place called the Skull after Pilate delivered him up to be crucified, including what he said to the women. Show further, how Jesus was compassionate towards other people even when he was hanging on the cross. What were the last words uttered by Jesus on the cross? How did the centurion on duty respond to all he saw and heard? Comment on the significance of these utterances of Jesus. SPM 1999 Give an account of (a) the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea as the women disciples looked on; (b) the resurrection of Jesus when the women brought spices to the tomb. Some past year questions (Chapter 23) Section B SPM 2002 (a) Describe Jesus’ journey to the place where He was crucified. What did Jesus say to the crowd on this journey? [4 marks] (b) Narrate the events at the scene of the crucifixion up to the time when Jesus died. Include the comments made by the people there and Jesus’ response to them. [11marks] SPM 2004 Describe (a) the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea; [6 marks] (b) the resurrection of Jesus as reported by the women [9 marks] Reminder Pass in your assignment.