Devotional for week of April 2-8

 

Day One        Misunderstood          Luke 22:24-38

Easter Challenge: This week, as you read through the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection, attempt to do so with the attitude and realization that all Christ did was specifically for you.

1.                  Following the sharing of the bread and wine we see the followers of Christ get into an argument about who, among them, was the greatest.  Read the depiction of this argument in Luke 22: 24-30 and answer the following:

a.      What was the mindset of the followers of Christ as they entered this argument?  How does this mindset present in the world today?  How is it present in you?

 

b.      What was the teaching of Christ to His followers?  Do you see this teaching lived out today?  What would be the impact if it were to be fully applied?

 

2.                  The very next thing that happens is the conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter concerning his coming betrayal (this event is covered in all four gospel presentations).  Look at Luke 22:31-34 and see what Christ says about:

a.      The reason for the trial coming to Simon Peter.

 

b.      The reassurance Christ offers Simon Peter.

 

c.      The result of this trial in the life of the other followers.

 

3.                  As the account continues we see Christ now turn to the group of followers in Luke 22:35-38.  How do you interpret His instructions here to now take that with them which He had previously told them to leave?  What do you think is the point of this instruction?

 

Day Two       Betrayed        Luke 22:39-71

Today we will look at the betrayal of everyone who should have been there to support and protect Jesus.  Read today’s passage and write a summary regarding the betrayal and why it should not have come from these individuals or groups (in other words, why should they have been a support to Him rather than a source of hurt and pain)?

1.                  His followers (Luke 22:39-46)

 

2.                  Judas (Luke 22:47-53)

 

3.                  Peter (Luke 22:54-62)

 

4.                  The government guards (Luke 22:63-65)

 

5.                  The religious leaders (Luke 22:66-71)

 

Do you find any significance in the fact that so many humans, who could have been a support, were so quick to turn on Christ?

 

How do we, today, quickly turn our backs on Chris?

 

Day Three     Irony   Luke 23:1-25

1.                  Luke 23:1-25 is possibly one of the most ironic passages in scripture.  Read this passage and describe the ironic attitudes of Pilate and Herod toward Christ.

 

Why do you think they were not more antagonistic towards Christ?

 

What does it tell you that both of these influential men were impressed with the celebrity of Christ but were totally incapable of being touched by His message of grace?

 

Do you think that this same type of scenario is in the world today?

 

2.                  The second irony of this passage is the reaction of the very people that Christ would soon die for.  When they are presented the chance to save Christ from the cross they refused to rescue Him.  While we know it is true that Christ had to go to the cross, why do you think the crowd turned so ugly and vindictive towards Christ?

 

Why was this ugliness necessary and essential and part of the experience of the cross?

 

How is this ugliness the true nature of the cross?

 

3.                  Who exactly was the cross for, and why?

 

Day Four       The Work       Luke 23:26-56

1.                  Luke 23:26-31 reveals the heavy physical toll taken on Christ as He becomes unable to even carry the cross.  What does Christ tell His followers regarding His own physical suffering?  How does He use this as a warning about what is ahead for all those who follow Christ?

 

2.                  The depiction of the cross as written here in Luke 23:32-49 gives us two main points:

a.      Christ demonstrates forgiveness and hope to the criminal who seeks grace.

b.      Christ makes this grace possible for all who would seek it as the curtain, which was the barrier to grace in the past, is ripped apart.

 

3.                  Following the death of Christ we see one individual and a group come forward but no one else.  The individual was Joseph, who was a member of the council, who had not agreed with the death sentence given to Christ.  The group was the women who had continued to follow Christ even when His other followers had disappeared.  What do you think was the risk for these in blatantly following Christ now?

 

Why do you think that they were able to be visibly supportive of Christ now when no one else seemed to be even willing to show their face?

 

4.                  Look back at two statements made by Christ, Luke 23:35 and Luke 23:46.  What is the significance of each of these statements to you personally?

 

Day Five        Gone  Luke 24:1-7

1.                  Probably the most reassuring and hopeful story in scripture is one where nothing is found.  In Luke 24:1-7 it is discovered that Christ is gone from His tomb.  What makes this reassuring and hopeful?

 

2.                  Do you ever forget to look for Christ among the living instead of among the dead?

 

3.                  What does the empty tomb mean to you and what difference does it make to your faith and your life?