Week of March 17, 2024
Jesus on Trial
Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders, by the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, and by Herod. While he is not guilty of anything he is accused of, he is declared guilty and sentenced to death. While he came with the truth and light of God, human hearts lost in the darkness were searching for something else and refused to see Jesus for who He was. Are we willing to set aside preconceived notions about Jesus and receive the gifts of grace, truth, and life that He offers us?
Monday | Luke 22:66-71 & John 18:12-14 & 19-24
Note that Luke and John record different events in the timeline of Jesus being judged by the Jewish leaders. In Luke, we observe a daytime meeting with a large group of leaders. What are the questions they ask Jesus? How are they different? What do you think Luke is trying to emphasize by highlighting this particular meeting?
Tuesday | Luke 23:1-16 & John 18:31-40
What do the leaders accuse Jesus of before Pilate? How accurate are the accusations? What might Pilate be hoping to get from Jesus in his questioning? Only Luke records the meeting of Jesus with Herod. What might having Jesus sent to Herod indicate about Pilate’s stance on Jesus? What do you think, Herod is hoping to get from Jesus? What significant things do you see in how Jesus carries himself and responds to both Pilate and Herod? What do these details say to you about Jesus?
Wednesday | Luke 23:18-25
Note the irony that a man already in prison for the things Jesus is accused of is set free, while the innocent Jesus is sent to be crucified. How does this truth mirror the actual truth of what will take place on the cross? In what ways do the attitudes and expectations that the various people treat Jesus during his “trials” correspond to modern-day attitudes about Him? In what ways might even Christians put Jesus “on trial” with our various expectations of Him?
Thursday | Acts 3:12-21
Peter tells his eyewitness story of Jesus’ judgment, crucifixion, and resurrection to the people of Jerusalem. What goes through your mind and heart as you think of Peter sharing this account and his explanation of what really happened? Peter lays the responsibility for Jesus’ death not on the religious leaders but on the people themselves. In Luke 23:13, Pilate called the people together with the leaders, and they all called for Jesus’ crucifixion. In what ways can we say that we also are responsible for the death of Jesus on the cross? How has knowing forgiveness in Jesus brought “times of refreshing” to you?
Friday | Acts 4:13-31
Read verses 25-28 again. While the crowds, the Jewish and Roman leaders all had responsibility for the death of Jesus, it was God who was in control. How does this story in Acts 3 & 4 give evidence to the truth that God has used the darkness of human hearts to bring the light of his salvation? What does this say to us about how God’s Spirit can work through His people in a dark world today? In what ways have you seen his light make a difference? In what ways might he be allowing you to tell your “Jesus” story to others?
