Winter solstice, December 21st, is the darkest day of the year. However, after the 21st, the days become gradually lighter. Yes, it is a dark day, but the light always comes following that day. Similarly, each day in Jesus’ last week appeared to be getting darker and darker until the darkest day in history: the day He died on a cross. Yet, as He took His last breath that day, Jesus knew something we did not know: light was coming in just a few days. He was going to rise from the dead. In our Bible study today, we will talk about the last few days in the last week of Jesus’ life and discover that even on the darkest day, there is hope because of Jesus.
Break the ice
What do you dread the most: a cold day below zero degrees or a hot day above 115 degrees? Why?
Small group questions
Bible study questions
- When is a time you saw God bring light during a dark time in your life?
- Read Matthew 27:32-38. What was significant about the sign calling Jesus “King of the Jews?”
The Crucifixion
32Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
35After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
3. Read Matthew 27:45-56. Describe the darkness taking place this day.
The Death of Jesus
45At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
47Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. 49But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
50Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
54The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
55And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
4. Read Matthew 28:1-10. How did Jesus bring light out of the darkest day?
The Resurrection
1Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
Application
- What areas of your life feel dark right now?
- What practical steps can you take to move from a time of darkness into a time of hope?
- How does learning about Jesus fill us with hope?
Moving forward
We have to share the news that Jesus is alive. After all, the world is craving hope right now. We have to go out to places where people who are in need of hope are. Where can you consistently place yourself? Maybe this is a gym you already go to or can join. Perhaps you are thinking about your interaction with parents at your child’s soccer practice. Maybe you want to go to your local coffee shop and intentionally engage with your barista each time you go. Whatever you decide, share this with your group. Pray that God would use each one of you to make Him known.
Going deeper
Do you ever wonder what was on Jesus’ mind as He went through His last moments on the cross? While we do not know exactly what He was thinking as He was being crucified on the cross, Scripture tells us a few things that Jesus said that night, giving us a window into His mind that evening. Today we will dive into Luke’s account of what He said while on the cross. As we look into what He said, we will be inspired to follow His example of offering forgiveness, sharing His hope with the people around Him, and placing His life in the hands of God the Father.
Read Luke 23:32-34
- · Who was Jesus talking about in these verses when He said, “Father, forgive them”?
- · What is surprising about Jesus’ prayer in these verses?
- · What does Jesus’ prayer teach us about forgiveness?
Read Luke 23:39-43.
- · What did the second criminal mentioned in these verses understand about Jesus?
- · What did Jesus promise this criminal in these verses?
- · What does Jesus’ response to this criminal show you about what was important to Him as He was dying on the cross?
Read Luke 23:44-46.
- · Summarize Jesus’ final prayer to God the Father in these verses.
- · What did Jesus give over to God the Father?
- · How would you describe Jesus’ mindset as He prayed this prayer to God the Father?
Reflect:
As Jesus was dying on the cross, He was focused on forgiving His murderers, offering hope of life in Him to one of the criminals being crucified next to Him, and giving His life over to God the Father. Pick one of these three areas (forgiveness, sharing your faith, and committing every area of your life to Him) that you would like to grow in and share it with your group. Then, share one step you can take to grow in that area. After everyone has shared, pray for the wisdom and courage to take these steps.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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