- In our text, it's interesting to note how little details Matthew provides about the crucifixion itself. What Matthew does provide is lots of details of all the ways and how much Jesus was mocked. This seems to be Matthew's emphasis in this chapter. So, we consider first the geography involved in all that's happening to Jesus, and then noticed the only interruption in the mocking which is how Simon of Cyrene carried the cross. From there, we considered the significance for us of the mocking that Jesus endured.

Keywords: Mocking, Ridicule, Crucifixion, Mocker

- In our passage, we see the mistrial of Jesus before Pilate. In it, we are warned to not be like Pilate, and to be wary of the crowd, especially when it becomes mob rule. It’s interesting to see that the only person that advocated for the innocent was Pilate’s wife. We closed by seeing how Jesus can identify and befriend anyone and everyone who has been a victim of the unjust violence of the mob, been rejected, despised and ganged up on. What a wonderful Savior, who is able to comfort us.

Keywords: Mob rule, bloodshed, innocent blood, mistrial

- In our study this week, we see the grief of both Peter and Judas side by side. Judas handles his remorse in all the ways that we consider to be conscientious and mature, yet still went and hanged himself. Peter responds only by tears, yet is restored and has the privilege of preaching the first public sermon after the ascension of Christ. Why are their outcomes so different? What's the missing ingredient?

Keywords: Guilt, Restitution, Absolution, Salvation

- Jesus is brought before Caiaphas in a hearing to find a charge against him. The only charge that sticks is that He is the Messiah. But, when asked the question, Jesus answers it in a way that can only be understood in his relation to being God.

Keywords: Trinity, Messiah, Divinity, Brownies

- We took a diversion from Matthew this weekend and took a look at Peter’s reflection from the Garden of Gethsemane in 1 Peter 2:19-25. Peter talks about unjust suffering, and how we are all as Christians called to unjust suffering, because Jesus suffered for us and gave us an example to follow. It’s an intense study, but an important study.

In it we referenced Jin Migra, “Pastor Ezra” and the news articles (https://nationalpost.com/news/world/group-officials-destroying-crosses-burning-bibles-in-china) that he was in last week.

Keywords: Abuse, Suffering, Persecution, Injustices

- These three statements by Jesus here at his arrest have been used throughout the centuries as the reason why Christians would embrace the ideas of nonviolence and pacifism. This goes all the way back to the church fathers and continues today in the Eastern Orthodox side of the church and the Anabaptist strain of our Western churches. In this study, we looked at those three statements, an explanation of nonviolent ideas, and then more Scripture from both the Old and New Testament to hopefully arrive at a more informed understanding.

Keywords: Pacifism, Non-violence, Unjust Suffering, Sword

- In our passage, it’s evident that God knows everything, including things in the future. He knows our future decisions. What does He do with that knowledge? Does He use it against us? What can we see about the free choices of mankind, and God’s relationship to that knowledge and His sovereignty from this passage?

Keywords: Sovereignty, Free-Will, Human Responsibility, Prophecy

- Pat Sieler from Calvary Oakville joined us this week. We love having him and his family visit us here in Ottawa. They fit right in and it was a morning filled with laughter! Pat taught out of 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 on temptation and reasons we would forsake Jesus as the first love of our hearts.

- Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples in a covert way in Jerusalem. During the meal, he informs them that he will he betrayed and then redefines portions of the feast that represent him.

Keywords: Communion, Transubstantiation, Passover, Betrayal

- Matthew shifts gears from the Olivet Discourse, and gives us a contrasting scene between the party at Caiaphas’s courtyard, and the meal at the home of Simon the Leper. When we compare Matthew’s version of this event, it becomes evident what details Matthew conveys as important in teaching us to observe everything Jesus commanded.

Keywords: Power, Love, Money, Worship