Bent Oak Church

As we continue our study of Luke's gospel, we come to Jesus' crucifixion. We take a closer look at the two stories: the perspective of Rome and the Jewish leaders and the deeper story of what Christ was accomplishing. Through these two perspectives, we learn to understand better how God is working in our own lives and suffering. 

The religious leaders sought Jesus's death, but they didn't have the power to carry out that sentence. They needed Rome. So they handed Jesus over to Pilate. Jesus's death came as the leaders of the world coalesced around his execution. We take a closer look at Jesus's interrogation before Pilate and Herod Antipas. 

Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny him three times. Peter protested that he was ready to face arrest and even death with Jesus. But once Jesus was under arrest, Peter began his denials just as Jesus had predicted. We take a closer look at the passage and how it was Jesus' look that finally brought Peter back to himself. 

The hour had finally come. Jesus made his way to the Mount of Olives, where he would face his betrayal and be arrested. We take a closer look at Jesus' prayer and how he models prayer for our lives and temptations. 

Still at the Passover table with his disciples, Jesus began to speak of the testing that they were about to face. It would not only be that night, but also in the years to come as they continued Jesus' work. As was common, the disciples didn't understand Jesus's warning. The disciples reveal our own tendency to overestimate our abilities and faithfulness. But even in their failure, Jesus would be praying for them. He does the same for us. 

The time came for Jesus to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. Jesus served them the meal, but his disciples' minds quickly shifted to which of them was the greatest. Jesus explained that leading in his kingdom is not like leading in the world. We take a closer look at the Passover elements and how they model Christ's kingdom leadership. 

As Jesus' final hours approach, Luke prepares us with two stories of preparation. While Jesus' disciples prepare for the Passover meal, Judas prepares with the chief priests to betray Jesus and arrange his death. We look at both stories and discover how they offer us an image of true discipleship.

Having warned those worshipers in the temple of its coming destruction, Jesus turned his attention further into the future to warn of the last days but also to give his disciples hope of his return. We take a closer look at Jesus' words and how we should think about the end times. 

The Chief Priests and elders sent spies to trap Jesus with their questions. They appeared to be sincere, but Jesus saw through their questions. He answered them with remarkable insight and then turned the crowd's attention to an image of true sincerity. We take a closer look at how our own lives can be disguised by false sincerity. 

While Jesus was teaching in the temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders confronted him. They wanted to know by what authority he taught and acted. But Jesus sensed they had already decided. They were not really interested in the truth. We take a closer look at how our own reluctance to know the truth can keep us from receiving what Jesus offers.