So... what are your priorities in these locked-down days?

I'd thought it was kind of odd that we're studying Jesus' final approach to Jerusalem after Easter instead of before. But on second thoughts, it seems to work quite well as a lock-down study. Here we are, facing an uncertain and not always hopeful future, and there the disciples were, trying to imagine a glorious future while their leader death... and resurrection of course. And it's the resurrection that reminds us we can always be hopeful.

(80) A Question of Priorities

Jesus has returned to Jerusalem, or at least to Bethany, just outside the town. Passover is approaching. Pilgrims (and tourists) fill the streets. And a dead man has just been brought back to life.

1.       Read John 11:45-48 Do you suppose the Jews who went to talk with the Pharisees didn’t believe, or just didn’t know what to believe?

a.       Read Matthew 12:30, Luke 9:50; Mark 9:40 Does questioning always mean not believing?

2.       Were the Pharisees, chief priests and Sanhedrin natural allies, or natural enemies?

a.       What was their priority in this meeting? Was it wrong of them to be concerned for the nation?

b.      How easily do we end up with the wrong priorities?

c.       What do wrong priorities do to us?

3.       Read John 11:49-50 How does Caiaphas’ statement apply to, for example, war, pandemic, the death penalty?

a.       So… what’s wrong with Caiaphas’ statement in this situation?

4.       Read John 11:51-52 How does Caiaphas’ position change their perception of his statement?

a.       How does our knowledge of Christ change our perception of his statement?

b.      Does God only speak through people who are right with Him?

5.       Read John 11:53-54 Ephraim is in the hills to the north of Jerusalem, about 13 miles away.  Why might Jesus not just have gone back to Bethany to stay with Lazarus?

a.       Have you ever felt like God moved away from you?

6.       Read John 11:55-57. Why do you think the people were asking about Jesus?

a.       Why did the leaders want to find Jesus?

b.      So… why not stay in Bethany?

While gossip spreads (and surely there’s lots of gossip about the whole Lazarus story), Passover draws closer, and Jesus really is going to be there.

1.       Read Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34 What amazed the disciples on the road? (Mark 10:32)

2.       How might you expect them to react to what Jesus says is going to happen?

a.       Given that everyone is still talking about Lazarus, how might they feel about Jesus’ saying “on the third day He will rise”? (Remember the significance of four days.)

3.       Read Matthew 20:20-23, Mark 10:35-40 What is the difference between the two versions?

a.       Do we find it easier to ask for things for our kids, rather than for ourselves?

b.      Are there any times when we’re tempted to ask God for inappropriate things (for ourselves or others)?

c.       If Jesus is God, how can some things not be His to give?

4.       Read Matthew 20:24-28, Mark 10:41-44 Might this change how they relate to death and resurrection?

a.       Do you think Lazarus’ resurrection might have made Jesus’ disciples over-confident?

b.      What makes us over-confident about what God will do for us?

c.       How do these verses remind us not to be over-confident?

d.      How do they remind us of what our priorities should be?