Session 3 - 21/05/25

Session 3 21/05/25 

Part 1 The identity of Jesus Christ

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontious Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead.

Objective:

To know the identity of Jesus.

Q.1. What does our culture say about Jesus 

Read Hebrews 1:1-3

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by the Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven: 

Q.1B. What reasons do people give for not believing in the virgin birth?

Q.2. What does the writer say about Jesus and the relationship of Jesus to God the father:

Read Hebrews 2:5-9

5It is not angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. ­­6But there is a place when someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son o man that you care for him?

7You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honour 8and put everything under their feet.”

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them, But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death for everyone.

Q.3. In verses 6-8 the writer quotes from Psalm 8. According to the quotation, what was God’s intention for humanity?

Humanity was to rule and care for God’s creation on God’s behalf. But because of our disobedience our rule over God’s world became corrupt and limited. Jesus entered our humanity to restore its reign over the world. He is like the new Adam (Adam = the first man).

Jesus shows us what it is to be really human.

Q.4. How should this truth affect our attitude to the environment and each other?

Q.5. If Jesus is on the one hand fully human, and now and the other “crowned in glory and honour,” how does this help us?

Part 2 The sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Objective

To understand the significance of the sacrifice

Q.6. At the heart of Christianity is a brutal execution. How could you explain the death of Jesus, and why is it so central to the Christian faith?

Read Matthew 27: 11-26

11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.  13Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testament they are bringing against you?”14 But Jesus made no reply, not even a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.

15Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.16 At that time, they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas, 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For they knew it was out of self interest that they handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal in a dream because of him.”

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22“What shall I do then with Jesus who is called the Messiah? Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 

25All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and he handed him over to be crucified.

Q.7. What does Matthew’s account of the choice between Jesus and Barabbas show us about the significance of the cross.

Q.8. Jesus did not match people’s expectations of a king and saviour. What kind of king and savour is he then?

Read Matthew’s 27:45-54

45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”)

47When some of the crowd heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”

48Immediately, one of them ran out and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest, said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50And when Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the son of God!”

Q.9. What is the significance of the darkness in verse 45 (Compare Psalm 105: 26- 28.) So why was Jesus forsaken by God?

Q.10.We do not expect to die in shame, but the cross reveals the true God to us (v.54). What does the cross show us about the character of God?

Closing Prayer

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of, Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my, soul, my life my all.