JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS

Luke 22:63-23:56

Key Verse: 23:34a

* JESUS BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD (22:63-23:25)

1. How was Jesus abused during the night? Where was he taken at daybreak? What was the council's question? What were they trying to prove? How did Jesus answer? What does this show about Jesus' faith and hope? About Jesus himself? (22:63-71)

2. Of what did they accuse Jesus to Pilate? Why was this a serious crime? What did Pilate ask Jesus? How did Jesus answer? What did he mean? (3; Mt 2:2; Mic 5:2) What can we learn from him?

3. What was Pilate's conclusion about Jesus? Why did he send him to Herod? What was Herod's attitude toward Jesus? Why did Jesus remain silent? How was Jesus ridiculed and mocked by Herod? (4-12)

4. When Jesus was returned to Pilate, what announcement did Pilate make to the crowd? (13-16) How did he attempt to compromise? (16,17) What was their response?

5. What was Pilate's last attempt to compromise? What was the outcome? Who was really guilty? (18-25; Isa 53:6b)

* JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED (23:26-56)

6. Who was Simon of Cyrene? Why was he conscripted to carry Jesus' cross? What did Jesus say to the women who wept for him? Why did he not need their sympathy? (Jn 1:29; 1Pe 2:24b; Isa 53:6b) Why should they weep?

7. What does it mean that they crucified him along with two criminals? (Isa 53:12) What must I do to be free from shame and guilt?

8. What was Jesus' first prayer from the cross? Who is included in this prayer? What does it mean to us? (1 Jn 1:7,9) What is the theme repeated in the words of the mockers? (35,37,39) What is the ironic truth here? Why didn't Jesus save himself?

9. How were the two men who were crucified with Jesus different from each other? How did Jesus help one sheep even while hanging on the cross? How could such a man be saved even at the last minute? What can we learn here? (39-43)

10. How did nature respond to Jesus' death? How did his death open the way to God for us? What were his last words? How do these words affirm his faith? What was the centurion's confession? Who buried Jesus? How was this an act of faith? (44-56) Why has the cross, a symbol of shame, become a symbol of glory?