Irmela

1. Why did the women go to the tomb on Sunday morning very early? Why didn't they go later in the day, do you think? (Luke 24:1) It was the third day (even though only part of 24 hr periods) and the Friday had been a hasty (entombment) wrapping up of the body. The women were eager to do it properly and had gone early to get more spices and perfumes as were customarily used for preparing the bodies with. The earlier they went, the better. Then if anything was still needed they would have time to get it all done. The stone had to be rolled from the grave and the soldiers were bound to still be there if they went very early and assist them with that. 2. What evidence do we have that the empty tomb isn't just a case of mistaken identity of one tomb for another? The women are very certain of the location. They saw where Joseph and Nicodemus had lain the Lord on the Friday. The tomb was a new one hewn out of the rock. There were no other bodies inside it. In no way was it mistaken for another one. The burial clothes that had been wrapped around the body of Jesus were in the tomb and the cloth that was around His head was neatly laid one side. 3. In what way is the angels' declaration ironic? (Luke 24:5b) In what way is it thrilling? (Luke 24:6) Why do you look for the living amongst the dead?. They were looking for the 'dead'. They were looking for a body/corpse. The living would not have been in a tomb. It had not occurred to them yet that Christ was indeed LIVING. He is not here? This was indeed puzzling to them because in the norm of things a corpse does not disappear. HE HAS RISEN! That indeed is the reason why He is not where they expected Him to be. Jesus' words were brought to mind that He would be handed over to sinful men, would be crucified, would be buried and would rise again on the 3rd day. HALLELUJAH!!! They remembered. It was true. It had happened as He said it would. 4. How could Jesus have predicted his death and resurrection three times (see footnote 19 below) and it still hadn't registered with his disciples? (Luke 24:6-8) The desciples were hoping against hope that Jesus was the Messiah that would topple down Roman oppression and that He would sit and reign on David's throne. This fact clouded anything different that He said to them. It did not fully register with them. The terrifying happenings of the Friday had further clouded their memories. They only saw the evidence of an end, viz., death of their beloved Lord, whom they believed with all their hearts to be the Messiah, the Anointed One. Fear had them in its icy grip and made them see only right in front of them, and not ahead of them. In front of them was death and ahead of them was the resurrection from that death as had been told them beforehand. 5. What do we know about these women who cared for Jesus' corpse and were the first witnesses to his resurrection? Where did they come from? Why did they love Jesus? The women were the same ones that had followed Jesus from Galilee. Some had been cured of diseases and also some from the grip/clutches of evil spirits. (Seven demons had been expelled from Mary Magdalene.) These women ministered and provided for Jesus and the group of followers from out of their property and personal belongings. They loved Jesus for Who He was and also for What He had done for them. They had been set free.

(Acts 13:14-41) What "common ground" does the gospel of Jesus have with Judaism? Both start with the Law and the Prophets. How does Paul's approach in the synagogues reflect building on this common ground? Paul reminds them of their roots. How they came out of Egypt, how God cared for them in the wilderness, how the land was distributed to them, reminds them of the judges right through to Samuel and then how the people requested a king. First Saul and then David and that God promised a Saviour, as a descendant from David. Then he brings in the fact that Jesus came. As the prophets predicted, He was not recognized and was put to death and on the 3rd day rose again. He appeared to many of His followers. Through Him there is forgiveness of sins. What could not be done/justified by the Law can be attained by this Man, who was raised from the dead. What is the essence of the gospel? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One, died for our sins, as the Scriptures foretold, He was buried, and arose again on the third day.

6. Why are Jesus' followers so extravagant at his death? What does that teach us? They showed by this that there was nothing too good for Him. Or too much. They gave their all and thereby showed their love for Him. We are to live for Him, no matter the cost. We are to use our possessions and our talents for His glory.

5. What do we know about these women who followed Jesus? Why do they follow the body to the tomb? These were women who had followed Jesus and His disciples from Galilee. They supported them out of their own means. Among them were, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, the mother of Zebedee's sons, Salome, and many others. They followed the body to the tomb so that they could see where the body was laid. They knew the exact location . There was no mistaking it. They then went to prepare spices and perfumes to be able to complete the burial process to their satisfaction on the first day of the week, as they could not do that on the Sabbath.

4. Why is the timing imporrant? Why the mention of the Sabbath?. Preparation day was the day used to prepare everything for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day of rest and it was taken or practiced to be exactly that. This particular Sabbath was a very "solemn and important one". They did not want the bodies still hanging on the crosses. It takes many hrs before death finally takes over at a crucifixion. So it was ordered that the legs be broken. As Jesus was already dead (as was confirmed by piercing His side) His legs were not broken. The Sabbath is mentioned for that is the day Christ's body rested in the tomb. No one was about and no one would have taken the body on the Sabbath.

3. What do the Gospels tell us about the tomb and Jesus' burial? Why are these details important? It is important because rumors could easily be spread and have been spread, that He was never dead in the first place. But Joseph and Nicodemus took Him down from the cross after the centurion assertained and confirmed that He was indeed dead when He was pierced in the side. Not only did they take Him down but they wrapped Him in burial cloths with spices, (myrrh and aloes), as was customary for the Jews to prepare for burial. He was placed in a new tomb hewn out of the rock. (No ways could the body have been mistaken for another) and a big stone was rolled in front of the entrance way. The details are important because like that no one can deny the fact that Jesus was indeed dead and had indeed been laid in a tomb and the tomb was closed up and even sealed.

2. Why has Joseph been a secret disciple, do you think? Why does he come forward now when identifying with Jesus can only hurt his standing with his peers? If he would have been open before, he would no longer have been part of the Sanhedrin. He did make it known though that he disagreed with the way Jesus was treated. I guess if they would have wanted to, they could have added things together and realized that he indeed loved the Lord. Be that as it may, Joseph's position on the council was now needed so his influence could be used with Pilate so that the body of the Lord was given to him to be given a proper burial. In the Roman world condemned criminals were denied burial. Joseph's going to Pilate put him in danger, which he was no longer worried about. He was ready to stand as being one of Christ's followers. Nicodemus stood with him in this.

1. What do we learn about Joseph of Arimathea? What kind of character does he possess? Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, who was not in favour of the way Jesus was taken into custody, tried and punished unfairly, and finally crucified. He went and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus so he could wrap it in burial cloths and place it in a tomb. He used his own means to do this. Joseph was a good, righteous and upright man. A man of integrity. He was expecting and waiting for the kingdom of God. Up till now it was as if he had been a secret follower of the Lord.

7. What does Jesus intend for us disciples to learn from this passage, do you think? To keep holding onto His promises. Not to let go. To just know that He is still in control. He is coming back to reign and rule.

5. What would you have felt like had you witnessed Jesus' crucifixion -- if you didn't know the next chapter in the story? Very downcast that someone so amazing was killed in this way. Shaken my head at the ones with authority for having performed such a heinous crime. 6. Why is faith so important during the dark chapters of our lives? What does it take to shake off the numbness and depression and take hold of that faith once more? It is very important to see beyond the gloom and darkness. It is like going through a tunnel. At first all is darkness then as you go on maybe round a corner a glimmer of light appears. A step in the positive direction usually topples the gloomy darkness.

4. What did the centurion see in Jesus' last hours that caused him to declare Jesus innocent, a righteous man? (Luke 23:47) The centurion was a hardened man. He had supervised and witnessed many crucifixions, but never before something like this. He only saw Jesus for a few hours and in that time he detected something different. He declared Jesus to be righteous and innocent. Jesus never ranted and raved about the next ones guilt. Even while there on the cross He helped the one convicted criminal to gain peace and enabled him to enter eternity as a saved man. He did not think of His own discomfort. He 'handed' His Mother over to John to comfort and look after. Caring to the last. The centurion saw all this. It was very different to the usual. All this action was part of what the ceturion saw and enabled him to reach his conclusion. %

3. What does Jesus mean when he says, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"? (Luke 23:46) Why does this saying comfort us so much? His saying comforts us in that we too know, that when our time comes to exchange "time" for eternity, we can commit our spirits into the Father's hands. It's not into nothingness or oblivion, there is something forward awaiting us. If we have accepted Him by faith we are assured of being "safe".

2. What is the meaning of the curtain of the temple being torn in two? (Luke 23:45b) I understand it to mean that the way to the Father is now open. The perfect sacrifice has been made for all time for all the sins of the world. Now we are seen as redeemed.

1. What does the darkness at Jesus' crucifixion represent, do you think? (Luke 23:44-45a) The time when God could not look on Jesus as He took on Himself the sin (of all time) of the world. God is light. When He turned away, there was no light. Even the created light bringer (sun) stopped giving out light. (Or sharing its light).

7. What are we disciples supposed to learn from this strange exchange on the crosses above our heads? What does Jesus intend us to get out of this? That there is such a thing as death-bed conversion. Do not give up. It is by grace and grace alone that we are saved. When we close our eyes here in death, there is not still a waiting period to join our Lord in Paradise. It will be like going to sleep here and waking up there.

6. What are the elements of Jesus' promise to the thief in 23:43? Today you will be with Me in Paradise. Not in a future time. Right there and then. FORGIVEN. For all eternity.

5. How do you think the thief's request make Jesus feel? Encouraged and happy. He could promise the penitent thief salvation. He (the thief) would soon be with Him in Paradise, forgiven, cleansed, made whole. By GRACE are ye saved through FAITH. Nothing to do with works or earning it. It is grace and grace alone

4. Did the thief confess his sins? Was he repentant? Yes, he agreed that he was being punished justly for his sins. He recognized Jesus for who He was and suddenly saw his own sinfulness and so called out for mercy.

3. What did the thief have to believe about Jesus to cause him to ask him, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). What are the elements of his faith? He recognized and believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. He turned to Jesus in hope and repentance, pleading for mercy. Begged Him to remember hin in His future Kingdom

2. Why does the other criminal rebuke him for his insults? On what grounds does he try to stop him? (Luke 23:40-41) They are being punished justly for their lifestyle/deeds, whereas Jesus was innocent. He asks bluntly "Do you not fear God?" He is trying to get him to think logically ... before long they will appear before almighty God. Don't heap still more on your wrongdoing before then.

1. Why do you think one of the criminals on the cross insulted and mocked Jesus? What human trait prompted him to do this? (Luke 23:39) Possibly hoping against hope that if indeed it was the Messiah, he too would have been set free and would escape the excruciating hrs which lay ahead before death finally overpowered them. As this Power is not manifesting itself, the thief is taking a jab at the fact that Jesus is named/called the Messiah. It was like taking a final jab at authority which had finally overcome him and brought him to the place he was in now. It had caught up with him. Despite his machoness/bravado, I personally believe it was fear and hatred against all that was actually "good" that was causing him to speak out to Jesus in this manner.

(1 Corinthians 9:16-17) How does Paul view his call to preach? How much choice is involved for him? How much honor? How should this understanding affect our understanding of God gifting and calling us for ministry? What is the opposite of faithfulness when it comes to using God's gifts? He feels he needs to do that. There is no option. His choice is to be an obedient vessel and to be that he needs to fulfill his call and that is to preach. That is his gift and he needs to use it. He needs to be and desires to be faithful in using the gifts, God has bestowed on him. Earthly honour is not what draws him. He wants to live for Christ and follow His leading, be that wherever. Faithfulness is the only option. When we are not faithful in following God's direction, we are disobedient.

Acts 13:1-3) Why are the church leaders in Antioch seeking God through corporate prayer and fasting? How does God respond to their seeking? Why do you think we don't do more of this sort of thing today? What was the importance of this to the church at large? To the chosen missionaries? When Paul had his experience on the Damascus road and then was laid hands on to be healed, God had made it clear that he was going to use him as an instrument to further the Gospel among the Gentiles etc. The leadership in Antioch knew the right way to seek God would be through prayer and fasting. In Acts 12v25 we read that Barnabas and Paul had come back from their mission in Jerusalem. So, the next step would be seeking God for "Where/What next Lord?" Barnabas and Saul are separated from the rest for a specific work God has chosen them to do. (I am not sure why there is not more fasting and prayer. Personally i have experienced it to work). I guess it varies from assembly to assembly if they still practice 'fasting and prayer' or not. I guess there is lots to do with governing bodies and all sorts. I try to stay out of church politics, it sometimes makes me cringe. It was important to the church at large that it wasn't through favoritism or otherwise that Saul and Barnabas where chosen. But God had designated them for that task. Also to the chosen missionaries, all knew that it wasn't their choice, but it was God's choice. When it was hard times they knew they could go to God whose leadership they were following.

Q2. (Galatians 2:11-16) Why does Paul call out Peter publicly in Antioch? What is the reason for Peter's hypocrisy? What is the central issue on which Paul feels they must not compromise? Why is it so important? Peter was not acting the same as before his "peers" arrived. This kind of behaviour was necessary to be blocked and sorted out immediately before taking root. The best was thus to approach the matter head-on.. We are all equal, all are one in Christ. There is not a Jew or Gentile, but Brothers in Christ. We are all saved by Grace not because one obeyed the letter of the law better than the next one did or because one was a Jew or "better" sinner than the next one. Not of works lest anyone should boast.

Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:15-17) Why do ambitious Christians struggle so much when they don't seem to be doing anything important? Why is patience with God's plan so important to growth? Why is a period of spiritual formation so important to future leadership? To listening for God's voice? It is easy to fall into a trap to believe that you are only useful or only learning something when you are doing something important. When you are busy. Meanwhile, observing, waiting for the right moment etc are all also things that fall under the category of being useful. An embryo/fetus is no good out of the womb before the allotted time inside the womb is complete. Each stage in the womb is important for its growth. Coming out before the time is dangerous to its life /health etc. So just as it is best for the growth of the unborn in the space God has allotted it, for the right amount of time, just so it is important with God's plan about work, life's partner, etc. His timing is best. Spiritual formation is also very important. It is so easy to think we are ready. We need to truly stay in the Word. Talk with God, wait on Him. What we have read, He can bring to mind again. If we are in touch with Him it is second nature to call to Him at anytime, than when that is not our normal lifestyle. THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD they are the ones who are strengthened, who can stand, who can go on unwavering.