hanks

4. Did the thief confess his sins? Was he repentant? This is a massive transformation. All of a sudden the thief becomes very aware of God and the fear of God. He openly admits his own sin, and recognises Jesus for who He is – truly amazing! This is all the result of the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit on his dark heart. Besides the fear of God, there is a sudden fear of judgment, a sense of his own sinfulness, a sense of guilt, and a desire for forgiveness. So, I’m sure he confesses his sin. A true repentant convert begs nothing but confesses his utter guilt and absolute bankruptcy. He has nothing to offer God; nothing to commend himself. He knows that he is in urgent need of mercy and grace, nothing else can save him. He is not concerned for his life on earth, it’s too late for that, his concern is the judgment/wrath to come. He is about to die, turns in true repentance to Jesus for forgiveness. He must have repented, for without repentance there will be no forgiveness.

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 had come to the realisation that Jesus is no ordinary man, that Jesus was his only hope, and had decided to throw himself at Jesus’ mercy. He had to believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah He claims to be; that He is the Saviour who has initiated God’s kingdom in this world; that He has the power to forgive sins; that He can bring this former sinner into God’s kingdom. This thief displayed the essence of true faith in his heart and his words as he died on that cross. This all could only have been made possible by the Holy Spirit coming into his life. The elements of his saving faith are his honesty about his own sins. Freely admitting that he was guilty is the first step in coming to faith in Jesus. The recognition of Jesus as God, as Saviour, as who He claimed to be. The willingness to call on Jesus for that which he needed in his life – calling out to the Lord for his salvation. He did in fact boldly profess his faith in the presence of a hostile crowd and amid the taunts and jeers of rulers and soldiers.

2. Why does the other criminal rebuke him for his insults? On what grounds does he try to stop him? (Luke 23:40-41) The other criminal comes to see things differently, and to actually put his trust in Jesus. He realises that to mock God is to disrespect and dishonour Him, and that it is a serious offence committed by those who have no fear of God, or who even deny His existence. So, he rebukes his partner asking him "Don't you fear God?” Here the fear of God is not one of reverence, but the terror of falling under the wrath and judgment of God the eternal Judge. This fear of God was at the very heart of being a Jew living under a covenant relationship with God. This criminal admits his own guilt, accepts responsibility for the crimes he committed, and sees his punishment of being just and deserved. He realises his guilt before God, and most importantly, he recognises the innocence of Jesus Christ.

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) He is a hardened criminal who broke the law, and is now paying for his crime with his life. He is dying, yet he is so full of hatred for Jesus, all he can think of is to mock, insult, and blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ. Was this because he was thinking that if Jesus is really the Messiah, He would have done something, or perhaps he simply joined the crowd as they mocked and blasphemed the Son of God? Whatever his motivation, he spent the last pitiful hours of his life mocking the only One who could have saved his soul and kept him out of hell. In this lost, sinful, condemned condition, he is no different than anyone else in this world who does not know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. They are guilty before God in thought, word, and deed. As we read in Rom 3:10-18, there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who seeks God; there is no one who does good, not even one; there is the poison of vipers on their lips; there is no fear of God before their eyes. And their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit; their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood; their ways are marked by ruin and misery. Total depravity. Today there is a growing trend in those who mock and blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ, who have no trouble taking the precious name of our Lord in vain; who think nothing of using our Lord’s name as a curse word; who ridicule the name of Jesus and insult Him, His church, and His work; who see no need for a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ; who do not believe there is a God, or who live as if God does not exist. The trait that marks so many in our day and proves them to be like this poor, dying thief, is the fact that they refuse to believe in Jesus for their soul’s salvation.

Q4. (Acts 12:6-17) Why do you think the Christians don't believe their own prayers for Peter's release? Don't they believe in miracles any longer? Why don't we pray with greater faith to the God who can do anything? How can we grow our faith in God so we can pray better? I think we must not be so quick to judge the Christians so harshly for not believing their own prayers. We know that many (12:2) were praying earnestly (12:5), but we must remember they were not sure of God’s plan for Peter. They had just witnessed the apostle James being killed, and could easily have believed that God may call Peter at any time as well. So, not knowing God’s plan, and knowing that God is sovereign, they were pleasantly surprised when their prayers were answered. We all tend to be unbelieving believers, and should be greatly comforted that God answers such faithless prayers. Yes they knew and believed in miracles having been with Jesus. But the execution of James must have shaken them and in their state of anguish they could easily judge God by the standard of human ability. Sometimes it’s lack of knowing or understanding His Word. We go to God and ask Him for something that is positively promised in His Word, and then we get all surprised when our prayer is answered. Much of our prayer is powerless because it lacks earnestness, and it lacks a strong, intense faith. But yet, little faith can still accomplish great things if it is placed in the great God. God graciously honours even the weakest faith, but how much more He would do if only we would trust Him.

Q3. (Acts 11:29-30) In what way does the monetary gift from the Antioch believers to the Judean believers exemplify the most basic directive of Jesus (John 13:35)? Why do you think that ministry to the poor and needy has become a hallmark of the Church down through the ages to our own day? What happens when we deemphasize this? What happens when we over-emphasize this? The prophet Agabus had warned them that a severe famine would occur in Judea with serious consequences for the Christians in that area. In a true act of love for their fellow Christians, the believers in Antioch sent a monetary gift to Judea. Here we have a Gentile church breaking down the barrier between Jew and Gentile by sending famine relief to the Jewish church in Jerusalem. What loving care! Christians’ love and support for one another enables fellow believers to survive in this hostile world. The true mark of a Christian is love for his fellow Christians, but this requires divine power, a power that is only given to those indwelt by the Spirit. Besides the threatened famine, the Jerusalem church had become impoverished as a result of the persecution. In the OT and NT, we are often told that we are to look after the poor and needy – it is not an option. Jesus has commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-35), and the way we can do this is by demonstrating His love and kindness and compassion. If we truly have faith in Jesus, we must also share His concern for the poor and needy, and this is exactly what the Christian Church has been doing over the centuries. By deemphasising we are not living in obedience to our Lord Jesus. It makes us and our churches self-centred and having no concern for others. Remembering that our Lord Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). But this all has to be done in a practical, tangible, and controlled way. So as not to encourage laziness, drug abuse, or other misuses. By over-emphasising this we can easily bring up a society of beggars. Poverty, social injustice, and homelessness are real problems that have to be addressed and it is just as important to provide help in getting these people back in society as fully functioning persons.

Q2. (Acts 11:22-26) What qualifications did Barnabas have that made him an ideal missionary to the new Gentile believers in Antioch? What qualifications did Saul of Tarsus have that caused Barnabas to seek him out and enlist him to help in Antioch? Why do you think it took so long for Saul to get into active ministry in Antioch? Cypriots had started the church in Antioch, and Barnabas being a Cypriot, comfortable with the language and culture in Antioch, a learned and prominent member of the church in Jerusalem, a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, was the ideal man to help Paul in his missionary. Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and while Barnabas was working among the Gentiles a large number were brought to the Lord. Barnabas needed help; he goes to Tarsus looking for Saul, who he knows has all the necessary qualifications to help him in Antioch. It was Barnabas who had introduced the disciples to Saul who were initially not willing to accept him, doubting his sincerity. Barnabas had befriended Saul and told them about his conversion and his fearless testimony for Christ at Damascus. They soon realised that Saul was genuine when they saw him preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem. From Saul’s conversion in 33 AD to him being brought from Tarsus to Antioch in 45 AD, this period of 12 years was the time God needed to prepare Saul for his ministry to the Gentiles. He needed time to grow in the knowledge of Christ, to develop a dynamic and intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus.

Q1. (Acts 11:19-21) Why do you think it took so long for the gospel to jump over from the Jewish "fishing pond" into the vast ocean of Gentiles who need Christ? What kind of preparation did God have to do among the Jewish Christians to get them ready for this? God had pre-programmed this in eternity past. All the steps had to occur in the sequence God had determined. It took a long time, because of the animosity that existed between the Samaritans and the Jewish people, which was even worse with the Gentiles. The gospel had to cross these cultural barriers. The Jewish Christians were given the Holy Spirit to help them, and to spread the gospel further than Jerusalem area, persecution occurred. This resulted in them being scattered all over the surrounding areas, even as far as Rome itself. They were now living in Gentile lands and able to tell all about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

5. Why did Pilate write the inscription, "This is the king of the Jews?" What did he mean by it? What is the full significance of this placard? It was customary for the one to be crucified to have their crime written out and placed on top of the cross, so all would know the reason for the crucifixion. Pilate hated the Jewish leaders and had proclaimed again and again that Jesus was innocent of any crime, but they had won a victory over him, forcing him to sentence Jesus to be crucified. He gets his own back on them, by writing the inscription, "This is the king of the Jews”, by which he is essentially mocking them. The chief priests protest to Pilate asking him why he wrote “This is King of the Jews”, and demanding that he should have written “He claimed to be King of the Jews." But this time Pilate refuses to yield to them, and states: "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). At least he can claim a minor victory over them. He is saying: “Here is Jesus, the King of the Jews, the only king they have been able to produce, a king crucified at their own urgent request!” God Almighty is saying: “This is Jesus, King of the Jews indeed; and not only this, but by means of this very cross He is King of kings and Lord of lords” (John 19:21). Even in His death, Jesus was recognized as a King, being proclaimed as King to the whole world through His own death. Kings of this world take their throne through others dying. The title was also a proper justification of the sinless nature of Jesus, for on either side were criminals with descriptions of their crimes; on the cross of Jesus, it simply described who He was, no crime is mentioned at all, because it was true. He had no sin.

4. In His prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?" whom does Jesus forgive? Can we be forgiven if we know full well what we are doing? Was Pilate forgiven? The soldiers? The chief priests? Judas? Does that mean we will see them in heaven, or is it a "potential pardon" only which must be accepted? Jesus forgives all those who truly repent and put their faith in Him as their Saviour. He is ever ready to forgive all those who come to Him in repentance. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He came to save sinners, not wishing any to perish. There is no resentment, no anger, no desire for punishment upon those who ill-treated Him; only love as He prayed for His enemies at such a time. Not only was He practicing what He taught (6:27–28), but He was fulfilling prophecy and making “intercession for the transgressors” (Isa 53:12). We can see His compassion when he prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ (23:34). This does not mean that their ignorance is a basis for forgiveness, or that they were automatically forgiven because of Jesus’ prayer. Yes, we can be forgiven if we know full well what we are doing. Was Pilate forgiven, the soldiers, the chief priests, Judas; not if they didn’t confess, accept Jesus as their Saviour and truly repented. Certainly, both the Jews and the Romans were ignorant of the enormity of their sin, but that could not absolve them. The Law provided a sacrifice for sins committed ignorantly, but there was no sacrifice for deliberate intentional sin (Exod 21:14; Num 15:27–31). Our Lord’s intercession postponed God’s judgment on the nation for almost forty years, giving them additional opportunities to repent and be saved (Acts 3:17–19).

3. What is the significance of Jesus being crucified among common criminals? Why does the Father allow this event to be so degrading and degraded? This was deliberately done to shame and humiliate Jesus, as if He too was a criminal. A criminal on either side of Him, both had been found guilty and deserved to die, but each one makes a different decision about Jesus. One would spend eternity with Jesus, the other would be lost to eternal damnation. But, at the same time the prophecy of Isa 53:12, “He was numbered with the transgressors”, was being fulfilled. His death and resurrection were essential acts in fulfillment of the Father's will. Jesus was not a victim of circumstance. He was in control, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18a). “This command I received from My Father" (John 10:18b). The degradation He faced. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus had the weight of the sins of the entire world on Him (1 John 2:2). So, as brutal as Jesus' physical suffering was, it was nothing compared to His having to bear our sins and die to pay the penalty for them (Romans 5:8). As horrible as His physical suffering was, the humiliation, the shame, the mockery, the tainting, the dishonour He had to go through, but it was nothing compared to the spiritual suffering He went through. The suffering heaped on Jesus is the ultimate example of the hatred and rage sinful man feels toward a holy God (Romans 3:10-18). “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isa 53:3). “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed) (Isa 53:5). He was so degraded. Psalm 22:14-18 says it all: “I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth; you lay Me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evil men has encircled Me; they have pierced My hands and My feet. I can count all My bones; people stare and gloat over Me. They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing” (Psalm 22:14-18).

2. Why does Jesus tell the daughters of Jerusalem to weep for themselves and their children? There were a large number of people sympathetic towards Jesus, among them were woman who wept and wailed because of Him. He told them not to weep for Him, but rather they should be weeping for themselves. Previously He had foretold them about the coming destruction of the temple (21:5-9); about the coming wars and persecution (21:10-19); about the coming destruction of Jerusalem (21:20-24). Jewish culture at the time, regarded it as a special blessing of the Lord to have children, and a disgrace to be barren. But Jesus is saying it will be a blessing not to have children, as one of the most terrible things for a mother to witness is the killing of her own children. And the killing of innocent children and babies will happen in times of war and persecution. People will be in such distress that they would call on the mountains and hills to cover them and destroy them (Hosea 10:8). Some 40 years later the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans did occur, bringing terrible devastation upon the Jewish people.

1. What does Simon carrying Jesus' cross tell us about Jesus? About Simon? In what sense must His followers carry His cross today as they follow after Him? It was a part of the condemned criminal’s humiliation to carry his own cross to the place of execution. When Jesus was unable to go further due to His weakened condition, the Roman soldiers drafted Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Him. What might at first seem like a random action was all part of God’s pre-determined plan, it brought Simon of Cyrene in contact with Jesus Christ. To Simon this unexpected, humiliating, and difficult situation actually turned out to be a wonderful opportunity, for it brought him in contact with our Lord. Simon became a believer after his encounter with Jesus, as he is mentioned by Mark as the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21), who, together with Simon, became leaders in the church at Rome. God can still use unexpected and difficult situations, even humiliating situations, to bring people to the Saviour. Today, we are called to deny ourselves, take up His cross and follow Jesus (9:23), but we must do this in a spiritual sense. Willingness to endure shame, suffering, and perhaps martyrdom for His sake. To follow Him means to live as He lived with all that involves of humility, poverty, compassion, love, grace, and every other godly virtue. It means to die to sin, self, and the world. Ours may be a physical cross, or a mental cross, or a spiritual cross, but day by day we must bear it.

8. Who is responsible for Jesus' condemnation to death? The Jewish leaders? All Jews? Pilate? Herod? Others? Jesus prayed to the Father, asking to reveal if there is any other way by which sinners can be saved, than by Him (Jesus) going to the cross. The heavens were silent, because there was no other way. Yet it was not their will; it was, as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, God’s will (22:42). Gethsemane was in anticipation of Calvary. The work of redemption was accomplished during the three hours of darkness on the cross. Out of love, God had pre-programmed our salvation, before creation He planned every step of the way, and He was primarily responsible for Jesus’ condemnation to death. The Jewish leaders, the Jews, Pilate, Herod, Judas, and others who played a role were secondary role players. They were all responsible for their own evil deeds, which God allow to occur, bringing His plan to completion. They were the secondary players.

7. What are we as disciples supposed to learn from this sordid story of Jesus' trial before Roman justice? I can see us, as disciples, pictured in this story of Jesus’ trial. Jesus, an innocent man, the holy Lamb of God, has been put to death in our place. None of us deserves to be saved, like Barabbas, we are all sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). We have sinned in thought, word and deed against the Lord God Almighty - not just once but many, many times. We are the ones that deserve to die “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (6:23). But we rejoice as “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). And as we consider the wonders of God’s grace when He transfers our sin to the Lord Jesus Christ, and cloths us with His precious robe of righteousness. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

6. In what way is releasing Barabbas ironic? (Luke 23:18-19, 25). This shocking travesty of justice is highlighted even more when one considers the release of a rebel, a murderer, and the sentence of death pronounced upon our Saviour. It was customary at Passover for the governor to release a prisoner, and Pilate had another prisoner on hand, Barabbas, a robber (John 18:40), a murderer, and an insurrectionist (23:19), who he offered the Jews as a compromise. Thinking that the Jews would never want him released, but the hatred for Jesus was so great that they demanded the death of Jesus instead. It’s ironic that Barabbas actually committed the very crime Jesus is charged with, and they want to free the guilty party and crucify the innocent man. The very name of Barabbas is supreme irony, as it means “son of the father,” who will be released instead of the true “Son of the Father/God,” Jesus. If ever there was a person who could say for certain that “Jesus died for me,” it was Barabbas. He knew Jesus died on his behalf, the innocent for the guilty.

5. What kind of power do Jesus' enemies exert over Pilate? Why does Pilate finally give in? (Luke 23:23-24) Pilate believes Jesus is innocent of any real crime, and he wants to release our Lord, but the crowd is adamant in demanding His death. He thought the Jewish leaders wanted to get rid of a rival, and offers to have Jesus whipped, but they will not have anything to do with it, demanding His death. No matter what he said the vicious demands of the mob drowned him out, they persisted in demanding the death of the Son of God. “And their shouts prevailed” (23:23b), that is the constant prompting by the chief priests, scribes, and elders, the screams of the mob demanding that Jesus be crucified became louder and louder until at last they drowned out whatever opposition there may have been. “Crucify Him, crucify Him” (23:21b). Now, he becomes afraid that if he does not give in to their demands, he could have a riot on his hands. At this stage, this is the last thing he can afford; a riot in Jerusalem at Passover time, when the city was crowded with Jews from all over the Roman empire. The Roman authorities had already warned him about tensions in the region. Then there was the threat that they would report him to Caesar (John 19:12). The pressure was too great, and even after affirming His innocence, Pilate finally gives in to their demands, and he hands our Lord Jesus Christ over to the mob, to be crucified.

4. Why doesn't Jesus answer any of Herod's questions? (Luke 23:9) Herod was apparently looking forward to meeting Jesus. Earlier, word reached him that Someone was performing mighty miracles in his territory, later learning that this was Jesus (9:7-9). Herod governed Galilee, where Jesus spent most of His ministry. He had countless opportunities to hear Jesus again and again, since Jesus had spoken openly to vast crowds, not in secret meetings in hidden places. All this led Jesus to understand the truth about Herod: he was not seeking sincere answers. He was interested in Jesus only as a famous man, as a miracle worker, wanting Jesus to prove Himself, demanding a miracle. So, at this point Herod only wanted to hear from Jesus what he wanted to hear (he questioned Him with many words). Jesus knew that Herod was a despicable, shallow man and had therefore nothing to say to Him. He was the same man who murdered John the Baptist, and now regarded Jesus as a performer for his own entertainment. But when Jesus refused to speak, His enemies, the chief priests and the scribes, talked all the louder and the more incessantly, vehemently accusing Him before Herod. Herod, too, could find no basis for any charge against Jesus, but he did not set Him free. Instead, he shows his true nature, being utterly disgusted with our Lord, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him.

3. Why does Pilate send Jesus to Herod Antipas? (Luke 23:6-12) Pilate saw through the motives of the religious leaders, and told the chief priests and the crowd that he could find no fault with Jesus. The mob became now more insistent and violent, accusing Jesus of stirring up disloyalty, being a leader of a rebellion that was stirring people up against Rome. This was a crime that any Roman governor would be concerned with. As soon as Pilate heard the word Galilee, he thought he had found an escape route for himself. Galilee was Herod's jurisdiction, and so Pilate tried to avoid any further involvement in this case by turning Jesus over to Herod. It so happened that Herod was visiting in Jerusalem at that very time. So, he sent Jesus to Herod, because Jesus was from Galilee, the area where Herod ruled.

2. Why doesn't Jesus answer unambiguously when Pilate asks Him, "Are You the king of the Jews?" Why does He answer with," Thou sayest"? (Luke 23:3) We have to go back to Luke 22:70, where Jesus admitted He was the Son of God. They could now accuse Him of blasphemy; the sin of claiming to be God or of attacking God's authority and majesty in any way. In Jewish law, the penalty for blasphemy was death, but the Jews were under Roman power and they did not have the authority to put prisoners to death. To get the death penalty they had to take Jesus to Pilate, but the problem was he would not be the least bit interested in a religious charge such as blasphemy. They had to get a political charge against Him, so they came up with a new indictment, treason - this Jesus is claiming to be king. So, Pilate asks Jesus “Are You the king of the Jews”. He wants to see if Jesus’ accusers are right that He is a revolutionary who wishes to overthrow Rome and make Himself king. Now, had Jesus given a direct affirmation of the question, and said YES, the proceedings would have ended, and Pilate would have had the legal right to sentence Him to die. However, I think that before Jesus answered Pilate, He had clearly differentiated between a civil and a spiritual kingdom, having told Pilate that His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). His answer “Thou sayest” then was an affirmative answer (22:70). Jesus does not deny He is King. We see the same question and answer in Matthew 27:11, and Mark 15:2, only John 18:34 gives more details. Pilate did not see Him as a threat to the Roman authorities and consequently of no further interest, and declares Jesus not guilty.

1. What charges do the leaders of the Sanhedrin bring against Jesus before Pilate? (Luke 23:2) Which of these were true or partly true? The Sanhedrin had accused Jesus of blasphemy, but they knew that this would have no impact before Pilate, what was needed were political charges that would have a greater chance of a conviction. Pilate wouldn't sentence a man to death merely on the basis of a theological issue. So, three political charges were now brought against Him by the religious leaders. First of all, they accused Him of perverting the nation, that is, of turning the loyalty of the people away from Rome. Secondly, they said that He forbade Jews to pay taxes to Caesar. Finally, they accused Him of making Himself a King. The irony is that the first accusation - that Jesus was subverting the nation, leading the people to ruin - was completely unfounded. No way did Jesus ever try to turn the people’s loyalty away from Rome. On the contrary He taught obedience to those in power. The fact that He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar was a downright lie, as is clear from (20:25). Another lie was that He claims to be a king, in a political sense. His entire ministry had a strong emphasis on such qualities as humility, service, self-denial. He was claiming to be a King, in the spiritual sense, to be the Messiah, was absolutely true.

7. What goals did Jesus' opponents achieve in His trial before the Sanhedrin? What liability did they incur by means of these proceedings? For Jesus to be tried by such evil men is a great humiliation. This whole trial by the Sanhedrin was a farce, for it had been decided long ago that Jesus must be put to death (John 11:49-50). Jesus was publicly exposing the hidden motives of the Jewish leaders, and calling the temple-court a den of thieves. This had a detrimental effect on their dishonest and corrupt income, and at the same time they were losing their hold upon the people. Jesus had to be eliminated. They devised a plot, even with false witnesses, in order that they may put Him to death (Mat 26:59). Ironically, they set out to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Confirmed. But this they did not see this – being blinded by hatred.

6. What did Jesus' Jewish opponents mean by the term "Son of God"? What do Christians mean by the term "Son of God"? Why is Jesus as the Son of God so important to our understanding of Him? Jesus’ Jewish opponents understood the term to mean the future Messiah/king as God’s Son (Psalm 2:7), or Israel as God’s son (Exo 4:22-23; Hosea 11:1). We as Christians understand Jesus as the Son of God is fully God (John 1:1), is also fully human (John 1:14), and that Jesus is a member of the Trinity of God. The Father is God (John 6:27; 1 Peter 1:2). The Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Rom 9:5; Col 2:9; Heb 1:8; 1 John 5:20). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 3:16). Earlier in Luke we learnt the Father affirms that Jesus Christ as His Son (3:22; 9:35); that Jesus Christ as the “Son of God” is the Messiah (1:32); that the “Son of God” is the One sent by God the Father (20:13). Jesus Christ Himself states that He is the Son of God. Our whole eternal future depends on our understanding of Jesus as the Son of God. Scripture teaches us that the Father loves the Son, and that love is manifested in giving the Son control over all things, including our destinies (John 3:35). “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them” (John 3:36). Nothing could be clearer; God is telling us that anyone who believes in the Son of God has everlasting life. Our eternal destiny depends on what we do with the Son of God. Receive Him, and we have eternal life as a free gift; reject Him, we will never enjoy everlasting life, but have God’s wrath ready to fall at any moment on us.

5. Extra credit: What, if anything, do the concepts of Messiah and Son of Man have in common? What are the differences between them? They are both titles for our Lord Jesus. To the Jews the Messiah was the long-expected ruler that will bring deliverance for Israel and establish God’s rule over the nations. Jesus discouraged others from referring to Him by this title (Mat 16:20), since the Jewish people expected their Messiah to be a political and military deliverer who would throw off the yoke of Rome and restore the fortunes of Israel. Jesus had come into this world as a spiritual Messiah, and His mission at His first coming was to suffer and die as an atoning sacrifice. Not only for Israel but the Gentiles as well. Son of Man is the name that Jesus used most often when referring to Himself. I think He used this title to show His total identification with humankind, who came to earth to deliver us from our bondage to sin. While the Son of Man highlights Jesus’ humanity it actually expresses His deity and His exalted nature. It derives from Dan 7:13-14 where God gives an everlasting kingdom in which all the nations of the earth will serve the Son of Man. Jesus uses this less direct title but the Son of Man will receive kingship over the earth someday, and He was more than just another human being, but an exalted, divine being – the Messiah. Jesus was fully God (John 1:1), but He was also fully human (John 1:14). As the Messiah and the Son of Man, He is deserving of both titles.

4, Read the passage about the Son of Man that Jesus refers to in 22:69 - Daniel 7:13-14. What does this tell us about Jesus' preferred title of Son of Man? What does it tell us about Jesus' true nature? Jesus often used the title “Son of Man” to refer to Himself (examples John 1:51; 6:53); to describe His authority and earthly ministry, that He has the authority to act on behalf of God (Dan 7:13-14), even mentioning that He has the authority to forgive sins (Luke 5:24); to anticipate His suffering and death, mentioning that He came to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45); to anticipate His future exaltation and glory (Luke 21:27). This tells us that all authority, glory, and sovereign power has been given to Him. This is in keeping with the Father’s promise to the Son in Psalm 2:6-9, and will be fulfilled at Christ’s Second Advent (Rev 11:15). This reminds me of Col 1:15-16 – for He alone reveals God in totality.