John 20:1-18: In the Garden: The Sequel

1. What are the ways that Jesus’s followers respond when they find that Jesus is not in the tomb?

2. The first one at the empty tomb is Mary Magdalene? What is so significant about her being the first witness to the empty tomb and the resurrection?

3. Mary, Peter, & John all bring their curiosity, their fear, their confusion, maybe even their doubt to the tomb, and they investigate, they look into the empty tomb. They examine the evidence, they take everything into the tomb to confront the linen cloths, the face cloth, the emptiness of the tomb. What fears, confusions, doubts do you wrestle with? Have you brought those doubts to the empty tomb and to the resurrected Jesus?

4. The disciples returned home, but Mary stood weeping at the tomb. She brings her disappointment, her hopelessness, her tears to the tomb as well. Frederick Buechner says this about tears:

“You never know what may cause them. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it, or a piece of music, or a face you've never seen before. A pair of somebody's old shoes can do it. Almost any movie made before the great sadness that came over the world after the Second World War, a horse cantering across a meadow, the high school basketball team running out onto the gym floor at the start of a game. You can never be sure. But of this you can be sure. Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention.

They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go to next.”

Mary brings her tears to the tomb. What disappointments, dashed hopes, and tears plague you? Have you kept them to yourself or brought those things to the empty tomb and to the resurrected Lord?

5. What causes Mary to finally recognize Jesus? What does this tell us about who Jesus is and who Mary is in light of John 10:1-18?

6. Finally, Jesus gives marching orders at the empty tomb, a miniature great commission in 20:17b, and Mary obeys. What are the elements of Jesus’s marching orders to Mary? How are those marching orders the same for you as a follower of Christ? How are they different?

7. Remembering that the creation story and the fall take place in the context of a garden, what is John hinting at as he points out that Jesus is resurrected in a garden. On what day of the week is Jesus resurrected?

John 19:31-42: Death, Truth, and the Meaning of it All

1.The scriptures are clear that Jesus came in the flesh (John 1:14; 1 John 1:1-4) and that he died a real death. What makes his real death certain to the soldiers and all who were there? (vv. 32-34)

2. That Jesus suffered and died a real human death is something that John (“He who saw it”in verse 35) wants to make sure that we know. What comfort do you find in knowing that Jesus died a real death?

3. John not only wants us to know that these things actually happened, but he also wants us to know the significance of why they happened. He says that “these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled.” How do the two passages he quotes—the first one from Exodus 12:46/Numbers 9:12/Psalm 34:20, and the second one—from Zechariah 12:10, including the section up through Zechariah 13:1) shed light on the significance of the death of Jesus? What is John saying the crucifixion of Jesus means? (vv. 35-37)

4. Joseph and Nicodemus both exhibit fear and are somewhat secretive about identifying with Jesus (for Nicodemus see also John 3:1ff, and John 7:50). Is it a challenge for you to publicly identify with Jesus? If so, what makes it challenging? Have you also been fearful to identify with Jesus? In what ways are your fears similar to Joseph & Nicodemus’s fears, and in what ways are they quite different from your fears? (vv. 38-39)

5. Nicodemus brings spices - myrrh and aloes - to anoint the body of Jesus for burial. Myrrh reminds us of one of the gift brought to Jesus when he was a baby, a gift from the magi that was fit for a king. Likewise the amount of myrrh and aloes (75 lbs) was suggestive of the kingly character of Jesus. Look at the following three references to myrrh and aloes: Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Song 4:14. Is there any other possible hint about the significance of anointing the body of Jesus with myrrh and aloes?

6. Is there anything significant about the fact that the tomb of Jesus is in a garden? (vv 41-42)

John 19:28-30: It Is Finished

1. As you read these verses, what stands out to you?

2. Jesus says, "I thirst" in verse 28. What are the implications of that statement? Regarding his humanity? His determination to do His Father's will?

3. All of us live with regret because we fail to do everything God has commanded us to do. How do Jesus' words, "It is finished" comfort us in our regret?

4. Charles Hodge said of Jesus' words, "It is finished": “This is why the believer, when arrayed in this righteousness, need fear neither death nor hell. This is the reason why Paul challenges the universe to lay anything to the charge of God's elect.” Discuss this statement. 

5. Ryan mentioned that hyssop (v. 29) is often used in the Old Testament to symbolize cleansing. See Psalm 51:7 and Exodus 12:22. What significance, then, does the hyssop branch have here in the Gospel of John? 

6. What clues does John give us in these verses that, on the cross, Jesus conquered His enemies and won a great victory? Why is that important for us to remember? How does that inform how we live our lives? 

John 19:1-16 :: The Trouble with Being Switzerland

1. Why do we insist on keeping our options open? In relationships? In religious convictions?

2. List the ways Pilate tried to keep his options open when it came to Jesus? Why didn't it work? If Pilate believed Jesus was innocent (see 18:38, 19:4, 19:6), why didn't he release Him?

3. Pilate invites us to "Behold the man!" What were his intentions with this statement? What hidden significance might John see in it (see 1 Corinthians 15:20-26)?

4. Look up the painting "What is Truth?" by Nikolai (https://www.wikiart.org/en/nikolai-ge/what-is-truth-christ-and-pilate) and discuss how the artist interprets Jesus' silence. In other words, what is Jesus saying with His silence in verse 9? How does it relate to Isaiah 53:7ff?

5. Was Jesus truly a threat to the Roman Empire (v. 12)? How? Is He a threat to the authorities of our own day? How? How does your answer inform your Christian life? 

John 12:27-50: A Final Appeal (Discussion Questions)

John 12:27-50: A Final Appeal
preached June 12, 2018

Discussion Questions

1) What do you think of the term "people of faith," as it is used by media outlets? Is it helpful? Why or why not?

2) The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines faith in Jesus as "a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel." What stands out to you in this definition? How does it help us grasp what Jesus means in this passage by His call for us to "believe in Him?"

3) What is the difference between having faith in our faith and having faith in Jesus?

4) What evidence do we have in this passage that God must open our eyes to believe? Put another way, what are the crowds NOT able to see?

5) Bertrand Russell famous said that he would have to say to God, on Judgment Day, "I'm sorry but you haven't given us enough evidence." How is the response of the crowd similar to this comment? What does that say about the nature of unbelief?

6) How does this passage challenge us to live by faith in Jesus? 

Fit for a King :: John 12:12-26 :: June 10, 2018

John 12:26-26 -- Discussion Questions

1) Jesus displays Himself as a King by accepting the praises of the people outside Jerusalem. What is the significance of the palms? And the songs? Why is it so incredible that Jesus does not shut down this parade?

2) At the same time, Jesus corrects the peoples' misunderstandings about His Kingship. Discuss what the following decisions say about Jesus' Kingship:

• Jesus' decision to ride a donkey
• Jesus' reception of the Greek Gentiles 
• Jesus' discussion of His death (24)

3) Jesus spells out how our lives should reflect the sort of King we serve, instructing us in verse 25 to live a life of self-denial. What's the difference between hating yourself and humbling yourself? Between self-loathing and self-denial? How do we live this out in our daily lives? Give some specific examples.

4) Jesus also promises that He bestows true honor to those who follow Him: verse 26. Compare and contrast the honor that we try to "grasp" with the honor that can only be "given." Why is the Father's honor so much better? 

John 12:1-11 :: Worth It All :: Discussion Questions

1. Consider each person mentioned as attending this party: Martha, Lazarus, Judas, and Mary. Who do you identify with? Why?

2. What is your prized possession? How much is it worth to you? Can you sympathize with Judas, who rebuked Mary for spending her prized possession on Jesus?

3. Name some of the things that made Mary undignified at the party: what did she do that broke cultural barriers and protocols? Speculate on why did it (the text only gives us clues but no direct answers to that question).

4. Judas says that the perfume was worth 1 years wage -- that's beaucoup bucks! Are there times you are faced with a similar decision about how to invest your money for the kingdom? How does Mary's example help you make that decision?

5. Should Christians care about the poor? Does Jesus contradict or confirm your answer when he insists that "the poor will always be with you?"

6. Ryan said that before we can answer the question, "What is Jesus worth to you?" we must answer the question, "What are you worth to Him?" How does Mary help us answer that second question? Why does that answer help us answer the first?