Standing up for law, or love?

 Where do you stand, on that boundary between law and love? Which side will you be on when big decisions have to be made? What about when everything you thought you knew was good is under threat? It's worth looking where these guys were told to stand (or should that be kneel?).

(99) Law and Love

Last week we read to the end of the “last supper” narrative, but skipped the part between Judas leaving and the end of the feast. This week we’ll look at what Jesus said after Judas left. Read Luke 22:24-30

1.       Which people in the secular world are seen as “the greatest”?

2.       How do secular rulers persuade us to accept their authority?

3.       How should religious leaders persuade us to accept their authority?

4.       How should religious leaders persuade the secular world to care what they say?

5.       Do you want to lead? To judge? Or just to follow Him?

John makes the “new commandment” even more explicit. Read John 13:31-38

1.       What does the new commandment have to do with not being able to go where Jesus is going?

2.       What tests do we use, to know if someone is truly a disciple?

3.       What are our inviolable rules, for example, when we’re choosing a secular leader?

4.       How do we tie love and law together, and how does Jesus tie them together? (Is it just about loving fellow members of your Christian denomination?)

5.       Which matters more – law or love? (And which mattered more to the Jewish authorities?)

Poor Peter gets it wrong again, and is told the most hurtful truth, that he will betray Jesus. In the other gospels, this happens when they’ve already gone out to the Mount of Olives. But either way, it must have really hurt. Read Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:31-34

1.       Have you stumbled? Will you stumble again?

2.       Have you ever thought or said “I’d never do that” then realized you’ve done it? Who or what brings us to that realization?

3.       Read Zechariah 13 (and especially 13:7). Does the chapter remind you of Revelation?

4.       The “prophets” in the quotation are “false prophets.” Who are today’s false prophets?

So… Peter can’t follow, and he will betray his Lord. But he still needs to be ready to follow. Read Luke 22:35-38 (and Matthew 10:9-10, Luke 9:3)

1.       How can we tell when God’s telling us not to carry a pack, and when he’s telling us to carry one?

2.       How can we tell when God’s telling us to fight (carry a sword) or not fight (turn the other cheek)?

3.       How can we tell when God says it’s enough? How easily do we run off and do our own thing?

4.       Read John 13:36b, 14:1-6 Are you more like Peter (eager to follow, eager to carry that sword) or Thomas (puzzled, asking directions)?

5.       How do you picture “many mansions” in a “house”? Does it help if mansion is translated room or dwelling?

6.       Did you remember that Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life” to Thomas, in answer to a question? Is it okay to question God?

7.       What interpretations of “No one comes to the Father except through me” have you heard? How do you decide which interpretation to believe?

8.       How does interpretation relate to law and love?