Carefully Think

• Read Matthew 26:47-75. Recall the events of Jesus' betrayal in 47-56 that we studied two weeks ago. If you have the time it may be helpful to listen to the sermon again: A Blessed Betrayal.
  
• Why is it significant that Jesus was led away to the high priests and not the Roman authorities first? What is significant about the fact that the priests and elders had gathered together at night?
• Two weeks ago we saw Peter's "wrong-headed sincerity", is that at play here again in v. 58? What does verse 58 say about Peter and his view of Jesus?
• What do verses 59-62 tell us about Jesus' trial? What does it tell us about the men holding the trial? What does it tell us about the righteousness of Jesus? What does it say about the sovereign plan of God that has ultimately brought this all together?
• What were the two false witnesses referring to? What had Jesus actually said? (See John 2:13-22)
• Jesus' response, "you have said so" to the high priest saying, "tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God," was the same as his response to Judas' question of whether he was the betrayer (v. 25). What was Jesus blatanly, openly saying? How does his following claim, of being the Son of Man, bolster that claim? (See Daniel 7:13-14)
• How does the high priests response in verses 55-56 help us see what Jesus was claiming? Was his response valid?
• The rest of the scribes, elders, and priests then remarked that, "He deserves death." Let this sink in. What did Jesus really deserve? What do we really deserve? What did he get? What do we get?
• How does Peter's rejection of Jesus (vv. 69-75) tie in with the previous section?
• Review verses 30-35
• How did Peter respond when his bold claim (v. 33, 35) came crashing to the ground? (v. 75)

Prayerfully Meditate

• Jesus boldly claims to be the Christ, the Son of God, the Divine Son of Man in this passage. What response should that elicit in our hearts? How does the high priest's response resonate with a sinful heart?
• How should Jesus' response to the events going on around him impact the way we respond to suffering?
• How should we respond to the judgment made by the high priest, scribes, and elders that Jesus "deserves death"? What did he deserve? What do we deserve? Think on the implications of this truth.
• Do you ever find yourself representing Christ as Peter did? How should Peter's response to this event resemble our own response to when we fail to properly represent Christ?

Intentionally Act

• Pray that our hearts would be open to receive God's Word. Pray that we would see more clearly who Jesus is, and that we would worship him with our lives because of who he is.
• Pray that we would meditate on what it means that Jesus took the judgment that we deserve, and contemplate the proper response in every aspect of our lives.
• Pray that we would represent Christ as we should.
• Pray for those who will be visiting this Sunday. Pray, that if they don't know Christ, that their eyes would be opened to the majesty of who he is; that they would repent and trust in Christ, and that God would save them.
• Pray for those who will be leading our gathering this week: Dawson Bryant, music; Brandon Ferguson, Elders' prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
• Prepare in the music below for our gathering Sunday. Reflect on the lyrics in preparation of singing together.

Songs for Sunday

• Come, People of the Risen King (Video)
• Crown Him with Many Crowns (Video)
• In Christ Alone (Video)
• Jesus, I am Resting, Resting (Video)
• Glorious Day (Video)

Lyrics

Lyrics Resurrection Sunday Morning Gathering - March 27, 2016