Watch: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/gospel-luke-4/
The two weeks leading up to the first Easter must have been a whirlwind for the disciples. Despite the threat from the religious leaders, they had returned to Jerusalem. Jesus was anointed by Mary while he ate at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
Some of the crowd believed in Him and wanted to meet Him; others rejected Him, while the leaders were trying to find ways to arrest and kill Him.
Then, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey. Was this His proclamation of the King riding into the city? The people praised God with palm branches, calling out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” With actions like this and the cleansing of the temple, Jesus was sure to be arrested.
Yet, they shared the Passover meal with Him. He took the bread and wine and told them these were representatives of His broken body and spilled blood. He instructed them to “remember.” He told them clearly He was going to be betrayed, denied, arrested, tried, convicted, and eventually crucified. Yet, He had also told them He would come back.
Maybe this was just too much to understand without experiencing it. Yet, they did. They tried to stay with Him, to stay awake in the garden. They tried to learn from Him and tried to protect Him. Yet, they ran away in fear.
Even during the trial, they tried to stay close to Him, tried to get information. Jesus was right: Judas had betrayed Him, Peter denied Him three times, and all the disciples ran away. In the end, the crowd that had welcomed Him a week earlier was shouting “Crucify him!” The disciples had experienced all Jesus had predicted – the darkness before the dawn!
Pray: “Jesus, help me to trust your plan! Even when I don’t understand!
Discussion Questions:
- The Struggle with Understanding and Belief: The disciples were repeatedly told what was coming, yet struggled to grasp it. Why is it often so difficult to truly internalize and believe future realities, especially those that challenge our current understanding or expectations? How does this human tendency play out in our own faith journeys?
- The Fragility of Human Allegiance: The crowd’s dramatic shift from praise to condemnation highlights the fickle nature of human loyalty. How can we cultivate a more resilient and grounded allegiance to Christ?
- The Significance of “Remember”: In the shadow of betrayal and death, Jesus institutes the act of remembrance. Why is “remembering” so central to the Christian faith? What are the layers of meaning embedded in his command to remember his broken body and spilled blood, and how should this shape our present lives?
- The “Darkness Before the Dawn” as a Foundational Pattern: How does the narrative of the Passion Week establish a pattern of darkness preceding light and hope in the Christian story? How can understanding this pattern provide perspective and resilience in our own experiences of suffering and uncertainty?