FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

 – Spring 2003

They met at the Cross

28/30 JANUARY 2003

‘THEY MET AT CALVARY’

• THE LEADERS WHO HATED HIM

It seems extraordinary that the fiercest, most implacable opposition to the Son of God came from the spiritual leaders of God’s chosen people. Early suspicion of him quickly turned into animosity, hatred and finally the determination to kill him. They played a major part in the crucifixion - and then stood at the cross, mocking (Matthew 27.41). By studying their opposition we can learn a lot about why people can be antagonistic to Jesus. We can also learn much about the very real dangers in "RELIGION"!

• WHO WERE THEY?
• (Get one of the group to read out the information on Pharisees and Sadducees)
•  
•  
•  
• WHY DID THEY OPPOSE HIM?

Why did the religious leaders come to hate Jesus so much?

(Some or all of the following Scriptures may give you a clue to the various reasons behind their animosity)

Matthew 27.15-18 John 11.45-48,53 ; 12.9

Luke 6.1-2,6-7,11 Mark 7.1-8

Luke 11.39-54

Mark 2.5-7 John 5.18

Some people today are more than indifferent to Jesus – they are openly antagonistic. What reasons lie behind such an attitude?

• Were any of you like that before your conversion?

• LUKE 18.9-14: WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE WERE THEY?

(Our behaviour reveals our spirits!)

• From Jesus’ story, talk together about the various unworthy attitudes the Pharisees could display.
• Where else in the gospels do such attitudes show up?
• Why would such attitudes create conflict with Jesus?
• What is ‘self-righteousness? How might it show itself in our lives?

IV. MATTHEW 23.1-28: WHAT GRAVE ERRORS HAD THEY FALLEN INTO?

• Identify the various serious spiritual shortcomings for which Jesus rebukes the spiritual leaders.
• How might we fall into similar errors in our spiritual lives? What temptations should we resist?

• MATTHEW 27.41-43 and JOHN 19.19-21,31-33:

BEHAVIOUR AT THE CROSS

How would you describe their behaviour at the cross?

- What does it reveal about them?