Judas’ betrayal of Jesus gives us deeper understanding of of the depths of human sin and the lengths of God’s love.

To understand our text, you need to realize that Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper, where the men are seated next to one another on the same side of a long table, is historically incorrect. Rather, the men were reclining at a low U-shaped table. They leaned on their left elbow with their feet going out from the table so that they could eat with their right hand. Jesus was at the bottom of the U. John was to His right, so that it would have been easy for him to lean back on Jesus’ chest and whisper in His ear in verse 25, “So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”

So probably, Judas was then at Jesus’ left, in the seat of honor, as one last gesture of love from Jesus toward Judas. After Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray Him, Judas asked “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:25) Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself.” That conversation had to be whispered in private as Jesus leaned back toward Judas. Otherwise, the other disciples would have known that Judas was the betrayer and they would not have thought as it says in verses 28-29 that Judas went out either to buy food for the feast or to give some funds to the poor.

Furthermore if Judas was reclining immediately to Jesus’ left, He easily could have handed Judas the morsel of bread that was dipped in a sauce and handed to the guest of honor as a gesture of love and friendship. So Jesus was reaching out to Judas right up till the end.

As beautiful as Da Vini’s painting is, the Scriptures paint the seen so much better and more meaningfully.

In verse 21 of our text John reports that Jesus was “troubled” as he shared His last meal with the disciples before the cross. John MacArthur lists many reasons that Jesus was troubled in spirit on this occasion:

To make it personal, Jesus endured all of that trouble and more to secure your salvation.

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “betray”? Have you ever been betrayed? If so, what was that experience like for you?

1. What is the setting where this conversation with Jesus and his disciples takes place? What has Jesus just done for his disciples?

• Describe the love that Jesus has for his disciples. Does his love extend to Judas? Read John 13:1.

• Because Jesus loved even Judas, what does this teach us about how we are called to love and serve even those who would betray us?

2. What Scripture is Jesus referring to when he says that the Scripture must be fulfilled? Read Psalm 41:9.

• How does what happened with David and his trusted counselor Ahithophel, serve as a prophecy of what will happen with Jesus and his disciple Judas? Read 2 Samuel 15:12 & 31; 16:20-23; 17:5-7.

• How does Ahithophel die? Read 2 Samuel 17:23. How does Judas die? Read Matthew 27:3-5.

• What does Jesus say about the purpose of prophecy in this passage? Read John 13:19. How does this help prepare the disciples for what is coming next in the life of Jesus?

• How can being aware that dark times are coming, help you understand that God is in control when the darkness does come?

3. Why is Jesus troubled in this passage? Read John 13:21.

• Are there other times in Jesus’ life when he was troubled? Read John 11:33 and 12:37. What do all of these times of trouble have in common?

• Have you ever been troubled knowing that someone was going to turn on you? What happened to ease your trouble?

4. When Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him, how do the other disciples react? Who steps up and wants to know who Jesus is talking about?

5. What does Jesus do to indicate who will betray him? What is normally concluded about the one who is offered the first bite of the Passover meal?

• What do we learn about temptation and the role Satan plays in the choices we make from this passage? Read John 13:2 & 27.

6. Where is Judas seated at the table? What does his position tell you about Jesus’ relationship with him? After Judas takes the bread, what does Jesus say to him? What does this tell you about the mission and purpose of Jesus, and his great love for you?

What must keep in mind that Judas didn’t look like a villain in a dark coat, gloating over how he was going to profit at Jesus’ expense. For example when Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray Him, the other eleven didn’t all turn toward Judas and cry out, “There’s the dirty rat!” Rather, each one was deeply grieved and said In Matthew 26:22 “Is it I, Lord?” Even when Judas left the room to do his dirty deed, the others did not suspect him.

 So we note how easy it is to hide sin. Judas was outwardly the same as the rest of the disciples, but he was inwardly far from grace.

The Scriptures provide us with a number of illustrations about how far a person can go from God and yet be saved, but they also provide us with this classic illustration of how close someone may live to God and yet be lost. To outwardly be the same as everyone else and yet inwardly be a hypocrite.

In closing discuss how we as a local church we can cultivate an environment where we can be transparent about sin and help one another to be more authentic in our struggles. What are steps to be taken and stumbling blocks to avoid.

The washing of the disciples feet is a dramatic portrayal of Jesus own mission in the world, highlighting our need to be washed by Him.

The story of Simeon the Stylite is certainly one of the strangest in church history.

Simeon was born about 390 A.D. He lived in different monasteries in northern Syria. Then around 423 he started to live on top of a platform on top of a pillar. Gradually he increased the height of the pillar until it was about 20 meters off the ground. Simeon lived up there by himself as an ascetic for 36 years! (Who knows how the plumbing worked out.)

Simon thought that he was being holy by being separate from the world. People flocked from all around to listen to him preach from the top of his pillar. His example led to a movement that lasted for centuries, where others dwelled on top of their own pillars. This begs the question: how did such a bizarre idea ever take hold in the Christian world?

Perhaps if we think about it its not so bizarre after all. While in our day we are not living on top of our own respective pillars, sometimes Christians, at least here in Finland are an independent, isolated bunch. We view the Christian life as each of us having our own relationship with God, which is essential. But then often we isolate ourselves from other believers. Except on a superficial level, we have little personal contact with other believers throughout the week.

But if we’re not close to one another, we can’t obey Jesus’ command in todays text: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (vv 14-15).

To wash someone’s feet requires pretty close personal contact! If you feel like you would like to take steps to get more involved with and connected with our church community speak with a pastor /elder about it today. Or, two very practical places to start are by signing-up to serve or to join a small group, both of which can be done from the announcements page.

Our unique gifts and callings are a way we can “wash one another’s feet” and to serve the “common good” of UCC (1 Cor. 12:7). In 2019 instead of focusing on what we wish others were doing, let’s wholeheartedly serving at UCC in whatever capacity we are able with whatever gifts God has given us — and in this way fulfil Christ’s command to “wash one another’s feet”. Stacy Reoch offers the following 5 reminders / pieces fo wisdom as we do:

Lets look to Christ and commit to serving with our gifts for the common good. If you would like to sign-up to serve speak to any leader today or sign-up online via the announcements page.

Read and discuss the above entry about Simeon the Stylite: “you cannot wash feet while living on a pole”.

1. Read verse 1. What is the significance of John mentioning the “Passover meal” and Jesus’ “hour”?

2. Read John 13:1-3 & 11. What did Jesus know as he prepared to eat the Passover Meal with his disciples? Does what Jesus did (serve the disciples), have a greater impact because of what Jesus knew beforehand?

3. What does Jesus do to serve and love his disciples during this meal? Read John 13:4-5.

• Who usually washed feet in the first century? Did Jesus have to wash feet? What does this tell you about the nature and attitude of Jesus?

• Why didn’t any of the disciples think to offer to wash feet? What were some of the other disciples doing during this meal? Read Luke 22:24.

4. We almost always equate Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet as a lesson in humility and service, which it of-course is. However, His service is not simply an exemplarily ministry, it is a saving ministry. In other words the washing of the disciples feet is a parable of what Jesus has done for us on the cross in providing through His death the washing of our sins. Paul puts it like this in 2 Cor. 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” How does this change the way you have thought about the meaning of this passage up until now?

5. Does this story about Jesus washing feet, and the humility that Jesus models, remind you of any other passages of Scripture about Jesus? Read Philippians 2:3-8. How are these passages similar?

6. What was Peter’s reaction when Jesus came to wash his feet? Why did Peter react the way he did? How did Jesus respond to Peter?

• What does it mean to have “a share with Jesus”? Read John 13:12-15.

7. Discuss with the intent of application the following quote by J.C. Ryle which discusses the nature of the washing that Jesus is telling Peter He provides:

• “the great practical truth contained in this sentence ought to be carefully noted and treasured by all believers. Once joined to Christ and cleansed in His blood they are completely absolved and freed from all spot of guilt, they are counted without blame before God. That is the general cleansing. But for all this, they need every day as they walk through this world to confess their daily failure. They require in short a daily washing of their feet over and above the great wash of justification which is there the moment they believe. He who neglects this daily washing is a very questionable kind of Christian.”

8. What does Jesus tell his disciples to do based on what he has done for them? Read John 13:13-17.

• Name something that is equivalent to washing feet in the first century that most people would not be willing to do today.

• Have you ever found yourself unwilling to do something that Jesus would have done if he were in your shoes?

In the sermon, the pastor said:  

• “Our text teaches us that the very crux of Christ’s work in us and through us is that we take on the role of a servant. I think Jesus is saying that the level in which we are submitted to Him as our teacher and our Lord will show most clearly in the way we are willing to serve others in the most basic and practical ways.”

What are some of the ways in which we can serve one another at UCC? Where are the needs in our corporate gatherings and in our lives (note: these often go unspoken and they are often very practical). What needs to change in your life specifically with reference to your schedule and resources in order for you to serve and love people the way that Jesus did and commands?

No matter how bright Jesus Christ the true Christmas light burns, there will be hearts that reject Him and remain in eternal darkness.

In today’s text we are reminded that at the coming of the Christ child into the world, not every heart will prepare Him room and receive Him as King. We are also reminded that many hearts will prepare Him room and receive Him as king –“far as the curse is found.” So we should rightly sing ‘Joy to the World’ this Christmas! Here is a bit of history behind the beloved Christmas carol:

In the 1700’s, most songs sung in European churches were singing the Old Testament Psalms in their services (this is what John Calvin encouraged), and the young Isaac Watts’ church was no different. Though Watts loved the singing the Psalms he felt that these songs felt “unnatural” to sing in their modern-day English translations.

After one Sunday service, 15-year-old Isaac complained about “the atrocious worship.” One of the deacons challenged him with, “Give us something better, young man.” He went home and penned his first hymn, and the love of hymn-writing stuck with him the rest of his life.

In 1719, his book “Psalms of David Imitated” was published, not as a new paraphrase of David, but as an imitation of him in New Testament language. Watts’ perspective was the Psalms bursting forth in their complete fulfillment. Joy to the World is the “imitation” of the last half of Psalm 98.

Watts transformed the old Jewish psalm of praise for historic deliverance into a song of rejoicing for the salvation of God that began when the Jesus came “to make his blessing flow far as the curse is found.”

Later George Frederick Handel composed music for the song and some scholars say it resembles his greatest work, Messiah.

Start by reading the “Christmas Carol History” post above and then listen to Listen to “Joy to the World” as performed by Ketih & Kristyn Getty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgLLF9Zq_NQ

1. As Jesus preaches his final public sermon before he is crucified, what does he offer to those who will believe in him?

• How many times has Jesus made the offer to believe in him during his ministry? Read John 3:3; 4:13-14; 6:35; 7:37-38; 8:12; 10:9-10; & 11:25.

• What does Jesus tell people to do in regards to the light he provides in this world?

2. In addition to preaching, what signs has Jesus performed during his life that validate his message and point to the reality that he is the Son of God?

• There are seven miracles recorded in John. Can you name them? John 2:1-11; 4:50; 5:8; 6:9-14; 6:19; 9:6-7; 11:41-44.

• What should people understand about Jesus as a result of seeing him perform these miracles?

• What does John tell us about how some people responded to the miracles of Jesus? Read John 12:37.

3. Read verses 37-40. John quotes two passages from Isaiah about people’s unbelief, 53:1 & 6:10. briefly describe the context of these two chapters and how it relates to what Jesus is saying in John 12. What do these passages they say about/portray Jesus Christ?

• Is the unbelief of the people concerning Jesus a confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah?

• The text says that it is God who hardens the hearts of unbelievers. It is tempting to cry out the this is unfair. However, Don Carson reminds us that God’s hardening the hearts of unbelievers: “is not the capricious manipulation of an arbitrary Sovereign toward morally neutral or good people but rather His holy condemnation of guilty people who are condemned to the judgment that they themselves have chosen.” Why is important to make our focus God when dealing with difficult truths in Scripture?

• Read John 12:37-40. What does this passage say to those who choose unbelief?

4. John mentions that many of the authorities believed in Jesus. Who do you suppose some of these authorities were?

• What fear prevented the authorities from confessing their belief in Jesus? Do similar fears prevent people today from confessing their belief in Jesus? How have you overcome this fear in your life?

• What does John say these authorities loved more than God? Read John 12:42-43. Do people today struggle with this same problem? How have you dealt with the challenge to seek man’s glory instead of God’s glory?

5. In response to the rejection of men, what does Jesus do? Read John 12:44-46. What does this tell you about the love of Jesus for all people? Read John 3:16-18.

• What is Jesus’ role in coming into the world? Read John 12:32; 12:47; and Luke 19:10.

• What does Jesus’ persistence in offering salvation, even after being rejected, tell you about the love of God? Read 2 Peter 3:9.

6. How many times did you hear the message of Jesus before you believed and responded? Aren’t you glad that Jesus continues to offer his grace and mercy time and time again?

Take a minute and think about one person who needs to hear the message of Jesus one more time. Begin to pray specifically for that person and make a plan to share the love and message of Christ with them again.

Listen to Joy to the World Ketih & Kristyn Getty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgLLF9Zq_NQ

Theologians refer to the time between the first advent, Jesus’ first coming, and the second advent, Jesus’ return, as the “space between” or “the already but not yet.” Why is important to understand the tension between what has already been brought about by Jesus through his birth, life, death, and resurrection but has yet to be fully consummated, or fully completed by his second coming?

1. In verses 9-13, God promises to restore unity among his people. He states that he will bring this about and that it will be seen in four ways. What are these four ways?

2. In verse 9 it talks about “pure speech” and in verse 13 a “deceitful tongue”. Why does the text say that it is necessary for the people to have their words cleansed and what is the result for the people? (verse 9)

3. How does the use of the word “peoples”, as well as Galatians 3:29, help us to understand and apply the promises that are made to “Israel” in these verses?

4. Verse 11 says that “you shall not be put to shame.” According to the text, what are at least 2 reasons why is it assumed that the people referred to will have shame?

5. Verses 11-13 compare and contrast the proud and the humble. What are the differences that the text shows between the two groups?

6. Verses 14-20 paint a beautiful picture of the final result of God’s action. What is the overriding emotion that the passage puts forward and how is it expressed by the people (v14) and by God (v17)?

7. What reasons does the text give for the exultation to sing?

1. In Luke 6:45 Jesus explains that our speech is the fruit of what is ultimately going on in our hearts. In what ways can you look back on life and see God’s sanctifying work on your heart affecting the way you speak? Use Ephesians 4:29 to help understand what we should be looking for in this.

2. What is the link between shame and sin and how do we see this playing out in our lives in relation to conflict within relationships?

3. What refining purpose does conflict have in the life of a Christian? Give some examples of what this can look like.

4. Why is it impossible to be a Christian without humility? How should this knowledge effect our reaction to success’ that we experience in life?

5. How does singing help us as Christians to connect to truths that we see in scripture?

6. Why is it easy to take for granted that “the Lord has taken away the judgement against you” and what steps can we take to try to keep that reality fresh?

7. In verse 20, God gathers his people and brings them “in”. Do you live in anticipation of the second advent, the return of Christ, and the eternal life with God and how does this help you to face up to sin and injustice at the present time?

Take time to pray for each other that you will live, in the “already but not yet”, in light of eternity with God where there will be an overflow of joy, the end of conflict and suffering, and all that has been promised by God and begun at Christ’s incarnation will finally be consummated.

The most important question that anyone can ask is: what is the meaning of the cross?

Why did Jesus come to die on the cross? Can your group come up with at least 10 reasons in max 5 minutes?

1. Jesus says in verse 27 that his soul is troubled. Why is Jesus troubled?

• Are there other places in the New Testament where we see Jesus troubled? Read John 11:33; 13:21; Matthew 26:36-46.

• Was the source of Jesus’ anguish and sorrow only because of the physical punishment that he would endure on the cross? What did Jesus endure on the cross that he had never experienced before? Read Mark 15:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and Hebrews 12:2.

• How does understanding the great sorrow that Jesus had leading up to the cross, help you realize the price that Jesus paid to forgive your sin?

• What can you do to show your appreciation for the price Jesus paid for you on the cross?

2. What does Jesus say about the purpose for which he came into the world?

• When Jesus talks about his “hour,” what is he always referring to? Read John 12:23 & 17:1.

• From the sermon: “Now if I were to ask, “Why did Christ die?” You would probably answer, “Christ died to save us from our sins.” And that is correct. But who sent Jesus to die? Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”

  What is the connection between understanding the Father sent Jesus to the cross and verse 28 and the cross bri glory to God?

3. When God speaks in verse 28, what does he say? Is this the only time that God has spoken audibly during the life of Jesus? Read Matt 3:16-17, and Mark 9:1-7.

• How does the crowd respond to the voice of God? What are some explanations they give for the voice of God?

• Do people today struggle to hear God? What are some ways that people today explain away the truth of God and miss his message to the world?

4. What does Jesus say about the judgement of this world? Who will be cast out? Who will be lifted up? How are the two events (casting out, and lifted up) connected?

5. In your own words, explain how Jesus being lifted up means victory for you and defeat for Satan. Is this a message that someone you know needs to hear.

Our text today focused on the meaning of why Jesus came to die on the cross. Understanding why Jesus died on the cross is foundational for our behaviour as Christians. This is for example very clear in Paul’s letters. When urging the Corinthian Christians to give generously, Paul points to the cross (2 Corinthians 8:9). The attitude of those in the church of Rome towards those among them who are weak is, according to Paul, to be governed by Christ‘s example (Romans 14:15; 15:1-7). In Ephesians 5, husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25) - again he points to the cross. So, whether the subject is giving, relationships within the church or marriage, the cross forms the basis of Paul‘s teaching.

Take turns sharing an area of your Christian discipleship that you are either struggling in or would like to mature in (such as forgiveness, giving, service, exhorting, evangelism, anger). How is the meaning of the cross the basis and the shaper of your growth in this area?

Listen to Keith and Kristyn Getty, “The Power of the Cross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGCISQQ7Zo

In is book “50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die” John Piper writes, “the central issue of Jesus’s death is not the cause, but the meaning — God’s meaning.” That is what his book is about. Piper gathered fifty reasons from the New Testament that answer to the question behind the meaning or the “why” of the cross:

What could be more important for a Christin to study than the meaning of the cross? To this end Piper’s book makes for a very enriching and devotional read. The book can be downloaded and read fro free from the Desiring God (John Piper’s ministry) website:

https://www.desiringgod.org/books/fifty-reasons-why-jesus-came-to-die

Jesus Christ, the servant King, gave His life so that those who believe will find life in Him.

God called Jim Elliot to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Auca Indians in Ecuador. Jim was a very talented young man with many open doors to him for ministry in the United States, where he was from. When Jim said he would not be taking any of these and was leaving to spend the rest of his life sharing the love of Christ in a remote area of the Ecuadorian jungle; many called Jim a fool and said that he was wasting his life. During this time Jim wrote the following line in his journal:

Not long after arriving in Ecuador Jim and four other young men died sharing the Gospel with the Auca’s. The very people they had come to share the life giving message fo the Gospel to were the ones who speared them to death.

But Jim was no fool and his life was not wasted. Jim had realised for quite some time what serving God really meant. He understood that there is nothing worth more than Jesus - not even your life.

Because Jim counted his life as worth nothing there would be soon after his death other missionaries including Jim’s widow Elizabeth, who brought the the Gospel to the Aucas, leading to great Gospel harvest among them.

Its common to hear the words “we want to see Jesus” spoken or sung in evangelical Christian circles today. While it can mean many things, often times it means we demand Jesus to manifest his power in our presence right now. This is to misunderstand how the phrase comes to us in Scripture and how we should relate to our Lord. The phrase quotes a request given to Jesus in todays Scripture from John 12:21 “sir we wish to see Jesus”. To understand what is meant by this phrase must be understood Jesus response to it in v 23 “And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”. Commenting on Jesus’ response G. Campbell Morgan explains:

As you think about the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, and how his entry is different than that of the worldly king or conquering general, realize that those who follow him live differently than the world. We are called to live lives of humility, and service, and genuine love for God and others. We are called to look different than the world because we follow a new kind of king.

Share an example of how you looked different, or failed to look different, on account of your Christian faith in recent weeks.

1. What happens to Jesus during this last week of his life? Read John 18:12 & 39-40; John 19:1- 3, 16-18, & 40.

• From the world’s perspective, is this a triumph? From a Christian’s perspective, what makes it so triumphal?

2. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, a large crowd has come to welcome and cheer him.

• What is significant about the word “Hosanna” that the crowd is shouting? What does “Hosanna” mean? Read Psalm 118:25-26.

3. What is significant about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Is this how conquering kings and generals would come into Jerusalem as victors?

• How does this act of riding a donkey fulfill prophecy about the Messiah? Read Zachariah 9:9-10; Genesis 49:10-11.

• What does the fact that Jesus chose to ride a donkey into Jerusalem tell you about the kind of King he is?

4. John tells us that some Greeks (Gentiles) go to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and they want to see Jesus. When Jesus learns that these non-Jewish people want to see him, what does he say?

• What is significant about Jesus saying, “The hour has come”? What does “his hour” refer to?

  Optional dig deeper questions:

• What has Jesus said about “his hour” prior to this point in the Gospel of John? Read John 2:4; 7:6 & 8.

• What does Jesus say about “his hour” from this point forward in the Gospel of John? Read John 12:27; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1.

5. What does Jesus say to those who would choose to follow him and be a part of his Kingdom? Read John 12:25-26.

• What does it mean to lose your life? What does it mean to serve and follow Jesus? How does this show up in the life a Christian on a day-by- day basis?

• What are the promises, found in verse 26, that Jesus gives for those who choose to lose their life and follow Jesus?

Read: Verses 25-26 “25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.”

1. One consequence for Christians today in dealing with the influence of the profoundly individualistic culture of the West is that church always seems to be an add-on. The mindset of many seems to be, “Now I am a Christian. I better find a church and one that fits my needs.” Biblically this is a distortion since the Scriptures constantly stress the corporate nature of our salvation.

• Discuss this issue of individualism in the church in relation to verses 25-26. How does being part of a local church demand we “hate our lives”?

• Where are you challenged right now in living out the Christ example of service in your local church? What change might you need to make? What might might you need to die to?

• When we view church as and add-on it is often one of the first things that are dropped when life gets either busy or when suffering comes. Have you witnessed or experienced this? How can we influence those who are part of our local church to view church as central and essential an not something that should be dropped?

What are some of the specific situations in your life tend to really reveal what is in your heart?

1. In what ways had Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ lives been impacted by their interaction with Jesus? What had they learned about Him? (see John 11:3 & 5 also Luke 10:38-42)

2. What have we learned so far in the Gospel of John about who Jesus is? (take 1 or 2 minutes and write down a few thoughts then see for example John 4:26, 6:35, 8:12, 8:58, 10:7, 10:11, 10:36, 11:25)

3. What factors would have been at play in creating the environment of this party? (see 11:45-57, 12:1, 2, 9, 10) Note also that Matthew 26 and Mark 14 place this party in the house of Simon the Leper who, as they were meeting in his house, we presume had been healed, likely by Jesus.

4. Verse 3. What do Mary’s actions tell us about how she felt for Jesus?

5. Verse 4-6. What do Judas’ response and John’s editorial comments tell us about how Judas felt for Jesus?

6. Verse 7. What do you think: Did Mary know Jesus was about to be buried? What difference would it make to the meaning of the passage if she did?

7. How would you sum up the meaning of this passage?

1. In what ways does this passage challenge (or confirm) your understanding?

2. In moments of trial, pressure, frustration, anger or temptation: how can the teaching of this text help you to respond/live in a Christlike way?

3. What does this passage teach you about being a disciple of Jesus? (see also Matthew 6:19-24)