SERMON: “WHEN LOVE BREAKS THROUGH”
Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2015
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:1-16 (New Living Translation)
The Plot to Kill Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man[a] will be handed over to be crucified.”
3 At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating,[b] a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
THEME/ CONCEPT: This message begins with a dramatic telling of the anointing of Jesus from Mary’s point of view. As Matthew, master storyteller, walks us through the tension of Jesus final days, we catch glimpses of hope breaking through the darkness, of love holding true through the hatred. Following the dramatic story is a brief exploration of the lies that harden hearts (Judas and the religious leaders) and the break-through power of love. Sandwiched between the plotting of the chief priests and the treason of a disciple is the story of love breaking through. Application: God has entrusted with the priceless treasure of love to offer at the times of darkest heartache and suffering.
OPENING CONNECTION QUESTION: What was the best and/or worst part of your week? Or pick three words that describe your week?
UNDERSTANDING THE PASSAGE
QUESTION 1: What do we know about the home where the perfume anointing takes place? Who was present? What are some possible explanations for why Jesus was in this particular home?
QUESTION 2:What values do the disciples express in verses 8-9?
QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS
• UPWARD (connecting to God): Our small groups are focused on scripture, dependent on God, led by the Holy Spirit, and bathed in prayer. Prayer connects us personally with God and unleashes His power to work in and through the group.
QUESTION 1:What values does Jesus express verbally in the passage? What values does He express by his choice of company to keep?
QUESTION 2:How does the passage make you feel about our access to God? How does that compare to how much access you give Him to yourself?
• INWARD (connecting to each other): Our small groups are trusting communities that build relationships where real spiritual growth happens. Each member is a minister to and with others in the care and support of the entire group.
QUESTION 3:Thinking broadly, compare what happens in the home in verses 6- 13 to your typical small group meeting. What general aspects of the gathering are similar? Beside the specific details, what is different about your small group meetings? How could your small group incorporate some of the values Jesus demonstrates in the passage?
• OUTWARD (serving through mission and outreach): Our small groups intentionally invite and nurture new people, especially non-Christians and disconnected church members. As a group, the members serve the Lord and share His love in tangible ways in the community and beyond. Mission and outreach is God’s call to all Christians.
QUESTION 4:Of the people gathered in the home in verses 6-13, who do you most identify with and why? If the teachers of the law and Pharisees were present in the home, how do you think they would have reacted? How do the values Jesus expresses in this passage compare to values he expressed in previous passages in Matthew? Why do you think Jesus isn't deterred by the disciples' concerns?
• FORWARD (equipping): Our small groups encourage every person to allow the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through them. Every believer has God given Spiritual Gifts that need to be discovered, developed and used to build up the church body.
QUESTION 5: Compare the gifts of the woman in the passage to the gifts of the disciples. In what ways are your gifts similar to the woman's? As your small group what ministry needs gifts like yours as part of their ministry (at Trinity or in the community)?
• ONWARD (discipling): Our small groups are disciple-making groups whose ultimate goal is to develop new leaders, start new groups and mature disciples of Jesus who seek God wholeheartedly, serve sacrificially, love sincerely, live righteously and enjoy God passionately.
QUESTION 6: What would be a small step your group could take to demonstrate Jesus' values to people like the woman in the passage?
Time for Prayer
Small Group Leader Resource for Maundy Thursday, April 2. 1