MATTHEW: The King in Jerusalem

About MATTHEW: The King in Jerusalem

Join us for Lent as we look at Jesus' final climactic days leading up to his arrest, death, and resurrection.

Publisher

St Bart's Anglican Church

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Feb 2020

Latest episode

10 Apr 2020

Latest episodes

42 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Apr 2020

   MATTHEW: Day 40

   Jesus is dead. The past 24 hours have been an absolute whirlwind of activity. There has been an arrest, a sham trial, a horrific death, an earthquake, and a centurion identifying Jesus for who he truly was, the Son of God. Now it’s evening and we meet a new character, Joseph of Arimathea. We aren’t given any background other than he was a disciple of Jesus and that he was a rich man. Here is essentially a no one and in the midst of the horrific events doing a faithful, tender, and beautiful thing for his King. He went to Pilate to ask him for his friend’s body and Pilate agrees. Then, he would have had to take Jesus’ naked, wounded, bloody, disfigured body off the cross, wash him, pour spices over him, wrap him, carry him to his own tomb, and lay him there. The man who taught with authority, who healed the sick, who calmed the storm, who even raised the dead, was killed and was placed in a tomb as the women watched on. This was just as was prophesied by Isaiah, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) During his time on earth, Jesus foretold that he would die but also that he would rise again three days later and whereas the disciples may have forgotten this, the religious leaders haven’t. They asked Pilate to put a guard in front of the tomb just in case the disciples stole the body and claimed that he rose again! If it eased political tensions and kept the peace, Pilate was all too happy to agree. Guards were placed at the entrance and it was sealed with Jesus’ dead body inside. But we know that this isn't the end. Not only will Jesus rise again defeating death, but he will ascend to the right hand of the Father; he will come again; he will judge the living and the dead and bring those made righteous by his blood home to be with him for eternity. Come again Lord Jesus. MC Questions How can you prioritise and remember Jesus’ actions for us afresh this Easter? Prayer Heavenly Father, we thank you for the death of Jesus, that he took the punishment in our place. Thank you that he rose again defeating death, and that he will come again to destroy it. Encourage and refresh us in that good news all the days of our lives and help us to look for his coming again. Amen.

2. 

   9 Apr 2020

   MATTHEW: Day 39

   Right up to the end, people are testing Jesus in order that they might know if he really was who he said he was (although it’s likely that for many, their intention was far less sincere). There has already been all the evidence necessary, yet it seems clear that so many people only desire to come to God on their own terms rather than God’s. But right at the last, a strange darkness falls over the land. We don’t know how it occurred, but Matthew wants us to have a clear sense that Jesus’ death is of cosmic consequence – with Jesus’ death there is both a physical and spiritual darkness as the true light is extinguished. As Jesus cries out from the cross (quoting Psalm 22), he is not despairingly questioning God. His cry reflects that as he carries the sin of the world, he is completely cut off from the Father. We cannot even begin to imagine what this would have been like for Jesus. This is what he would have been most dreading as he prayed in the garden. Jesus and the Father had been in perfect relationship forever. Yet in this moment on the cross, as Jesus carries the guilt of the world upon his shoulders, that perfect relationship is broken, in order that the judgment for sin and punishment of death can be carried in him. It’s sobering to recognise that it was all our sin that put him in that position. Yet it is in that moment that a new way is opened up for relationship with God. That’s what the Temple curtain being torn in two is all about. This giant curtain separated the Most Holy Place where only the High Priest could enter once a year to make sacrifices to atone for the sins of the nation. Yet in Jesus’ death, that barrier is now torn open to allow anyone to come to God through Jesus. AL Questions What is the most significant aspect of Jesus’ death to you? What difference does it make to you that Jesus actually died? Take some time to think about how Jesus must have felt to be cut off from the Father. How valuable does that make our potential for relationship with God? Prayer Loving and merciful Lord, thank you that you loved us so much that you would die for us. Thank you that Jesus’ death is not the end, but that through it, life has been opened up to all who trust in him. Amen.

3. 

   8 Apr 2020

   MATTHEW: Day 38

   It was common for prisoners who were condemned to crucifixion to have to carry their own cross to the place of crucifixion. As they carried the cross, they were paraded through crowds of people as a symbol of the power and might of Rome. As Jesus carried his cross, he would have been weak from the physical punishment – of beatings and floggings – that he had already received. The flogging he had received was enough in some instances to kill someone. Yet here, the carrying of the cross was the penultimate humiliation, second only to the crucifixion itself. As Jesus endures all of this, wine with gall is offered to reduce his pain, yet Jesus refuses. It’s clear that Jesus wants to face his death with a clear focus on his mission and purpose right until the very end. We might find it surprising that even as Jesus hangs on the cross, he faces mocking, not only from the crowd, but even from a fellow prisoner crucified besides him. His mocking sums up much of what others have been saying. If Jesus is God, if he’s the Messiah and is meant to save the world, then surely his death must be a failure. Yet what the criminal and everyone else can’t see, is that it is through his death that Jesus’ mission of salvation will be realised. He could of course save himself, yet he willingly faces death (hence no wine with gall), in order that those who trust in him will be saved. AL Questions Why do you think it is often easier for people to make fun of Jesus rather than to really face up to his claims? How do you think Jesus would have felt as he endured such mockery? In light of all that Jesus faced, why should we not be surprised when we face mockery too? How are we best to respond to this? Prayer Loving Saviour, thank you that nothing would deter you from the cross. Thank you that you endured all agony and humiliation, that through your death we might receive eternal life. Please help us to be inspired by your example, especially when we face mockery for our trust in you. May all our identity and strength be in you and you alone. Amen.

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