LUKE-ACTS: WEEK 4 LUKE 19-23

There has been growing animosity towards Jesus from the priests and scribes who want to get rid of him. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, approaches them and agrees to lead them to Jesus in exchange for money.

Jesus tells Peter and John to go into Jerusalem and prepare a guest room wherein they can celebrate the Passover meal. Jesus and the twelve apostles gather in the room for the meal. Jesus tells them he wants to celebrate the Passover meal with them before his suffering commences. He tells them this will be his last meal before entering the Kingdom of God. He passes a cup of wine, asking them to share it between themselves. Then he breaks bread, and tells them this is his body. He asks them to repeat the sharing of the bread in remembrance of h\Him. He tells them that the cup is the new testament of His blood that will be shed for them. Then He tells them there is a traitor among them.

Jesus goes to the mount of Olives and prays, asking His Father if He can avoid the suffering He knows is coming. An angel appears in order to give Him strength. The mob arrives, and Judas identifies Jesus by kissing Him. When Jesus is taken away, Peter goes along. Three times Peter is accused of being a follower of Jesus, and three times he denies this. After the third denial, he hears the cock crow, and remembers Jesus’ prophecy.

Jesus was brought before Pilate, for His arraignment. He was accused of sedition (conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state of monarch). However, Pilate said that he found no fault in Jesus, therefore acquitting Him. Though Pilate did not want to kill and innocent man, he gave in to the persistent crowd. Pilate released Barnabas and agreed to have Jesus crucified.

When they reached Mount Calvary the soldiers mocked and spat on Jesus. They drew sticks and divided His clothes between them. Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one who mocked Him along with the guards, and the other who showed faith asking Jesus to remember him when He enters the kingdom of God. Jesus answers and tells the faithful man beside Him on the cross that he will soon join Jesus in paradise. After six hours on the cross, darkness fell over the land and Jesus died. A man named Joseph asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. He takes Jesus down from the cross, wraps Him in cloth and buries Him in a tomb. The women who came with Jesus to Jerusalem from Galilee followed Joseph to see the tomb and prepared what they needed for a burial.

Key Points

• Jesus tells Peter and John to go into Jerusalem and prepare a guest room wherein they can celebrate the Passover meal.
• Jesus told his disciples that the Passover meal would be his last.
• Jesus goes to the mount of Olives and prays, asking his Father if he can avoid the suffering he knows is coming.
• Three times Peter is accused of being a follower of Jesus, and three times he denies this.
• Though Pilate did not want to kill and innocent man, he gave in to the persistent crowd. Pilate released Barabas and agreed to have Jesus crucified.
• Jesus was crucified between two men. One who mocked and the other who believed.
• The man who believed was going to join Jesus in paradise.
• Jesus laid on the cross for 6 hours until darkness fell and then he died.
• The women went with Joseph to the burial to prepare it.

Talk About It

• Can you imagine sitting at a table with Jesus and partaking in his last meal?
• Like Peter, how many times in your life did you deny Christ
• Even though Jesus is God, Jesus still went to the Father in prayer. When in your life did you pray a heart felt prayer
• Pilate didn’t want to kill Jesus, but it was part of God’s plan. Has God ever revealed to you things in your life that wasn’t His plan?
• Which man are you, one who mocks the gospel or one who stands up for Christ in EVERY area of your life?
• Carrying Jesus’ body to the tomb must have been an emotional and loving experience. Does your walk with Christ reflects your love for him?
• What does Jesus’ sacrifice mean to you?

Helpful Resources

The Bible Project: Luke & Acts Miniseries