Lesson 5: The Passon of Jesus

Luke 22 & 23

FOCUS
  1. What are some of your family traditions around special meals?
  2. How have those traditions shaped you?
  3. When and where do you find it easiest to pray? Difficult?
DIG
There is an enormous temptation to read the Gospel of Luke and hear parts of Matthew, Mark or John. Re-read the passion account and pay particular attention to the details that are present. Hear the centrality of the supper which gathers the community. Hear the prayers of Jesus as he responds to the presence of God in his life.

Nobody likes to be reminded of their worst moments of life, yet the Passion story shines a bright light on human sinfulness and all of its awful consequences. We stand with the crowd who mocks Jesus and taunts him to come down from the cross. Yet, at his death a hardened Roman soldier was moved to confess his innocence.

By being witnesses to the darkness of death and despair then we can fully appreciate the joy of resurrection and the resurrected Jesus present with us now.

EXPLORE
Perhaps you have heard the story of the Passion of Jesus in Matthew, Mark and John, too. Today, focus on how LUKE tells the story and not read into it how the story is told by others.
  1. Jesus talks openly about suffering. As Jesus speaks of his suffering, do you hear it as a good thing, a bad thing or something neutral?
  2. Luke places the argument about who’s greatest around the Table. What is Jesus’ definition of greatness? How can you lead a “great” life. What can a congregation do to lead a “great” life?
  3. Jesus responds in an unusual manner to a crowd who has come to arrest him? What do you think is significant for disciples to hear in Jesus’ response to this confrontation?
  4. What do you think of Pilate? How is he portrayed? Has he manipulated the crowd and chief priests or is he a pawn to political pressure? Does it matter?
  5. Luke is the Gospel where Jesus says from the cross, “Father, Forgive them…” As you read the passion story in Luke, why is this a critical moment? What does it mean for you today that Jesus speaks words of forgiveness from the cross?

REFLECT
One final question: How does the suffering death of Jesus equip and embolden us to lives of service?
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