Group Notes | April 16
Outsiders: Truly He Is The Son of God
April 16, 2017
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Open:
Sometimes it takes more than one circumstance to finally “connect the dots.” Can you think of an instance when this has been the case for you?
This week we finish looking at four people who were personally affected by the events surrounding the crucifixion, and their reaction to Jesus Christ. The centurion, doubtless having been involved from the night of the arrest to the last breath taken by Jesus, had the light of understanding hit him as he watched Jesus die. As all the dots began to be connected, this man, intimately involved in the crucifixion, made a profound statement that has gone into the very Word of God: “Truly this was (is) the Son of God!”
Focal Passages: Mark 15:20-39; Mark 16:1-7.
Discuss:
The Prologue
- Looking back at the events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, one’s mind finds it hard to cope with the series of situations that ended in such an inhumane way. What seems to have been the beginning of this ending (from a human view point)?
- As the jealousy among the Jewish religious leaders escalated, what was their next step?
- They plotted how best to get Jesus alone to kill him; who played into their hands? What do you think the other disciples would have done if they had realized Judas was about to betray Jesus (speculation)?
- What happened when Judas told the Jews where they could find Jesus? Who came to the garden the night Jesus was praying? What was their intention?
The Terrible Hours
- The Roman military came to arrest Jesus. Who was probably one of the main authorities, one who would give orders, and be on hand throughout the following day? What events did he see in the Garden of Gethsemane?
- When Jesus’ “case” went from the religious leaders to the governing authorities, how did they react? How did they keep “passing the buck”?
- What happened next?
- As Pilate ordered the crucifixion, who probably was on hand to carry it out?
- What did Scripture predict the Messiah would do (Isaiah 53:7)?
The Death
- Who, more than likely, was in charge of the order to nail Jesus to the tree?
- As he watched the events now out of his hands, what did he see happen before his eyes?
- How did all those events affect him? What were his words?
The Victory!
Close:
As believers, we know the victory that was just around the corner! The hurt, pain, sense of loss, despair—and so much more—that the disciples and followers of Jesus went through during those three days can only be speculated about. We, on the other hand, have read “the end of the story,” and know that Sunday morning the tomb Joseph gave to the family of Jesus was empty! Tradition has it that the stone was guarded by the same centurion who had doubtless overseen the soldiers in the garden the night of His arrest, then in charge of those who carried out the crucifixion on Friday, and was afterward given charge to guard the tomb. If so, he could have seen the sight of the angel rolling the stone away, giving the guards on duty a shock so great they fainted. All we know for sure is that He came out of the tomb and appeared to the women, to the disciples, and before ascending into heaven, more than five hundred or more people. Seeing Him caused them to believe, and change the world. And He is still changing it today!
Which group do you belong in? Those who are familiar with the events of the crucifixion and have had your life changed because of it, or the group of those who know about it, but have no interest in a changed life? It’s a choice that must be made this side of eternity. One rich man in hell begged Abraham—across a chasm—to send someone to tell his family that hell is real, only to be told it was too late (Luke 16:19-31). Don’t wait—if God is speaking to your heart, answer Him today!