The Plot - Part 1 [Notes]

One of the lessons we can learn from the Easter story is that you can do everything right and still end up on a cross. Though Jesus never wronged anyone, he faced opposition from all those He came to save. Consider the religious and civic leaders who indicted Him, the crowd that yelled, "crucify Him," the disciples who abandoned Him, and even the criminals who hung beside Him, hurling insults. Yet, Jesus responded with remarkable love, patience, and forgiveness.

What lessons can we learn from His example? Join us as we begin a new series titled "The Plot" and look at how Jesus handled the most difficult week of His life.

Today's Takeaway // We don't have to be led astray. 

When Jesus had finished saying all this, He told His disciples, “You know ^f that the •Passover takes place after two days, and the •Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
– Matthew 26:1-2 (HCSB)
_{^f 26:2 Or Know (as a command)
• The Israelite festival celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month, in the early spring; it was a celebration of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, commemorating the final plague on Egypt when the firstborn were killed.
• Most frequent title Jesus used for Himself (Dn 7:13; Mt 8:20)}

Then the •chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus in a treacherous way and kill Him. “Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting among the people.”¹
– Matthew 26:3-5 (HCSB)
_{^• A group of Jewish temple officers that included the high priest, captain of the temple, temple overseers, and treasurers
¹ The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Mt 26:1–5). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on My own, but He sent Me."
– John 8:42 (HCSB)

"You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don’t you believe Me? The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God."
– John 8:44-47 (HCSB)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
– John 14:6 (HCSB)

The office, first conferred on Aaron by his brother Moses was normally hereditary and for life. In the 2nd century BC, however, bribery led to several reappointments, and the last of the high priests were appointed by government officials or chosen by lot.
– Britannica

During the Roman period there were 28 High Priests; Herod appointed seven of them himself. So there were always several ex-High Priests around, and they still retained their titles and their influence. But Herod and his successors controlled the office.
– Leopold Sabourin, Priesthood, a Comparative Study

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: "The •scribes and the •Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. ^{j k} Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach."
– Matthew 23:1-3 (HCSB)
_{^• A professional group in Judaism that copied the law of Moses and interpreted it, especially in legal cases
^• A religious sect of Judaism that followed the whole written and oral law
^j 23:2 Perhaps a special chair for teaching in synagogues, or a metaphorical phrase for teaching with Moses’ authority
^k 23:2 Ezr 7:6, 25; Neh 8:4}

"Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."
– Matthew 15:14 (HCSB)

1. Did you have any special Easter traditions when you were growing up? How were those traditions meaningful to you?
2. Read Matthew 26:1-5. During his ministry, Jesus faced opposition from so many people, especially from the religious leaders. Why do you think He opposed so much?
3. Pastor Tim suggested that at least three things need to be true of spiritual leaders: they need to know God, they need to live in a way that is consistent with the faith they profess, and they need to be able to point people to God. Why are these requirements so important?
4. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. What qualities should spiritual leaders have? What happens if spiritual leaders don’t have these qualities?
5. How might you apply today’s lesson to your life?

I Believe It (The Life of Jesus) // Worthy of Your Name // God I Look to You // O What a Miracle // Greater Still

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