April 6, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – Through the Curtain

Through the Curtain

Psalms 22:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?
² My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
    by night, but I find no rest.

³ Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
    you are the one Israel praises.
⁴ In you our ancestors put their trust;
    they trusted and you delivered them.
⁵ To you they cried out and were saved;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

⁶ But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
⁷ All who see me mock me;
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
⁸ “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
    “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
    since he delights in him.”

⁹ Yet you brought me out of the womb;
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
¹⁰ From birth I was cast on you;
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Who has forsaken David (or Jesus), the author of the Psalm (verse 1)?

When does David cry out (verse 2)?

How is God enthroned (verse 3)?

What happened when David’s ancestors trusted God (verse 4)?

What happened when David’s ancestors cried out” to God (verse 5)?

Who despises David (verse 6)?

How do people treat David (verse 7)?

Why did people think the Lord might deliver David (verse 8)?

Who did God make David trust in (verse 9)?

How long has God been David’s God (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the difference between being forsaken by people and feeling forsaken by God?

Matthew 27:45-56 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

⁵⁵ Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. ⁵⁶ Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

When did darkness come “over all the land” (verse 45)?

What does “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” mean (verse 46)?

Who did “some of those standing there” think Jesus was calling (verse 47)?

What was offered to Jesus to drink (verse 48)?

Why did the people want to leave Jesus alone (verse 49)?

What happened after Jesus “cries out again” (verse 50)?

How was the curtain of the temple “torn in two” (verse 51)?

What broke open (verse 52)?

When did the “holy people” come out of the tombs (verse 53)?

Who exclaimed “Surely he was the Son of God!” (verse 54)?

Why had the women “followed Jesus from Galilee” (verse 55)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the difference between being forsaken by people and feeling forsaken by God?

In your opinion, how does David’s pivoting from feeling forsaken to stating his trust in God in Psalm 22:1-10 anticipate Jesus saying He was forsaken, then giving up His spirit, but being recognized as “the Son of God” by the centurion in Matthew 27:45-56?

Acts 7:51-60 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

⁵⁴ When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

⁵⁷ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Who do the stiff-necked people “always resist” (verse 51)?

What have they done to the “Righteous One” (verse 52)?

How was the law that they have not obeyed given (verse 53)?

How did the members of the Sanhedrin react (verse 54)?

Who filled Stephen (verse 55)?

What did Stephen say that he saw (verse 56)?

How did the Sanhedrin react to Stephen’s words (verse 57)?

What did they do to Stephen (verse 58)?

Who did Stephen ask to receive his spirit (verse 59)?

What did Stephen cry out (verse 60)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the difference between being forsaken by people and feeling forsaken by God?

In your opinion, how does Stephen in Acts 7:51-60 reveal the salvation that comes by doing what those who mocked David in Psalm 22:1-10 said, ““He trusts in the Lord . . . let the Lord rescue him”?

In your opinion, how does Stephen in Acts 7:51-60 show us what it means to have the curtain torn in two from top to bottom in Matthew 24:45-56?

Hebrews 10:19-25 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Who does Paul say has “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (verse 19)?

Where has “a new and living way opened” (verse 20)?

What do we have (verse 21)?

What happened “to cleanse us from a guilty conscience” (verse 22)?

Why can we “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (verse 23)?

What should we consider (verse 24)?

What should we not give up (verse 25)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the difference between being forsaken by people and feeling forsaken by God?

In your opinion, for all of us who sometimes feel like the forsaken worm that David described in Psalm 22:1-10 how does Hebrews 10:19-25 help us have “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place”?

In your opinion, what does Hebrews 10:19-25 reveal to us about the purpose of the agony and death of Jesus in Matthew 27:45-56?

In your opinion, how does Hebrews 10:19-25 help us understand why Stephen in Acts 7:51-60 could face death with such confidence and assurance instead of feeling forsaken?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Psalms, Matthew, Acts, and Hebrews teach us about the “new living way opened for us through the curtain”?

In your opinion, how do we move from feeling forsaken by God to having “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place”?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

March 30, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – Pressing On

 Pressing On

Psalms 22:11-19 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.

¹² Many bulls surround me;
    strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
¹³ Roaring lions that tear their prey
    open their mouths wide against me.
¹⁴ I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
    it has melted within me.
¹⁵ My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
    and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
    you lay me in the dust of death.

¹⁶ Dogs surround me,
    a pack of villains encircles me;
    they pierce my hands and my feet.
¹⁷ All my bones are on display;
    people stare and gloat over me.
¹⁸ They divide my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.

¹⁹ But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
    You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

What is near (verse 11)?

Where are the “strong bulls of Bashan” (verse 12)?

What has happened to His bones (verse 14)?

How does His mouth feel (verse 15)?

What happens to His hands and feet (verse 16)?

How do people respond (verse 17)?

What did they do with His clothes (verse 18)?

What is His plea to the Lord (verse 19)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the suffering of Jesus?

Matthew 27:32-44 – New International Version (NIV)

³² As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. ³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁶ And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. ³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Who did they force to carry the cross (verse 32)?

What does Golgotha mean (verse 33)?

How did Jesus respond to the offer of the wine mixed with gall (verse 34)?

What did they do with His clothes (verse 35)?

Where was the “the charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS” placed (verse 37)?

Who was on His right and His left (verse 38)?

What did those who passed by do (verse 39)?

How was Jesus challenged to prove He was the “Son of God” (verse 40)?

Who said “He saved others . . . but he can’t save himself” (verses 41 and 42)?

What did the rebels “who were crucified with him” do (verse 44)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the suffering of Jesus?

In your opinion, how does Psalm 22:11-19 help us understand the suffering Jesus faced in Matthew 27:32-44?

Hebrews 13:8-16 – New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. ¹² And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. ¹³ Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. ¹⁴ For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Who “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (verse 8)?

What “is good for our hearts” (verse 9)?

Who does not have a right to eat at our alter (verse 10)?

What is the sin offering that the high priest carries into “the Most Holy Place” (verse 11)?

Why did Jesus suffer “outside the city gate” (verse 12)?

What does Paul invite us to bear “outside the camp” (verse 13)?

What are we looking for (verse 14)?

How does Paul say we please God (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the suffering of Jesus?

 

In your opinion, what does Psalm 22:11-19 help us understand about what Hebrews 13:8-16 says Jesus endured outside of the city gate to “make people holy”?

In your opinion, how does the torment of the chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders in Matthew 27:32-44, ““He saved others, . . . but he can’t save himself”” shown by Hebrews 13:8-16 to be accurate only because of the choice Jesus made about who He was saving?

 Philippians 3:7-14 – New International Version (NIV)

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

What does Paul “consider loss” (verse 7)?

Why does Paul “consider everything a loss” (verse 8)?

Where does the righteousness Paul desires come from (verse 9)?

What did Paul want to participate in (verse 10)?

What did Paul hope to attain (verse 11)?

What does Paul “press on to take hold of” (verse 12)?

What is the “one thing” Paul does (verse 13)?

How has God called Paul heavenward (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the suffering of Jesus?

 

In your opinion, how are the messages of Psalm 22:11-19 and Philippians 3:7-14 similar?

In your opinion, is Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:7-14 that he wants to participate in the suffering of Jesus, found in Matthew 27:32-44 literal?  If not literal, then what does Paul mean?

In your opinion, how does Philippians 3:7-14 show us how to respond to the amazing gift of Jesus that is revealed in Hebrews 13:8-16?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Psalms, Matthew, Hebrews and Philippians teach us about the suffering of Jesus on the cross, and the reason for His suffering?

In your opinion, as people who have been made holy through the suffering and blood of Jesus, what goal should we expect to reach?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

March 23, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – A Prepared Heart

A Prepared Heart

Joshua 24:19-24 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. ²⁰ If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”

²¹ But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.”

²² Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.”

“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.

²³ “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

²⁴ And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.”

Why did Joshua tell the people they would be unable to serve the Lord (verse 19)?

What will happen if the people “forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods” (verse 20)?

How did the people respond to Joshua (verse 21)?

Who will be the witnesses against the people (verse 22)?

What did Joshua tell the people to throw away (verse 23)?

What were the people to yield “to the Lord, the God of Israel” (verse 23)?

How did the people respond to Joshua’s instruction to throw away and to yield (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to or for God?

Matthew 27:11-31 – New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. ¹⁶ At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. ³⁰ They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. ³¹ After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

How does Jesus answer Pilate’s question “are you the king of the Jews” (verse 11)?

How did Jesus respond to the accusations of the chief priests and elders (verse 12)?

What amazed the governor (verses 13 and 14)?

Who did Pilate offer to release (verse 17)?

What message did Pilate’s wife send him (verse 19)?

Who persuaded the crowd “to have Jesus executed” (verse 20)?

How did the crowd answer Pilate’s question about who to release (verse 21)?

How did the crowd answer Pilate’s question about what to do with Jesus (verse 22)?

What did Pilate do when he “saw that he was getting nowhere” (verse 24)?

Who did the crowd say Jesus’s blood was on (verse 25)?

What did Pilate do with Jesus (verse 26)?

Who stripped Jesus, put a scarlet robe on Him, put a crown of thorns on His head, told Him “Hail, king of the Jews”, spit on Him, and struck Him on the head (verses 27-30)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to or for God?

In your opinion, how could the descendants of the people who said “we will serve the Lord our God and obey him” in Joshua 24:19-24 end up shouting to crucify Jesus and that “His blood is on us and our children” in Matthew 27:11-31?

Acts 5:25-33 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” ²⁶ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

²⁷ The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! ³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. ³¹ God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. ³² We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³³ When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

What were the men who had been put in jail doing (verse 25)?

Why did the captain and his officers not use force (verse 26)?

Who questioned the apostles (verse 27)?

What did the high priest say the apostles “are determined to make us guilty of” (verse 28)?

How did Peter and the apostles reply (verse 29)?

Who “raised Jesus from the dead” (verse 30)?

Who killed Jesus “by hanging him on a cross” (verse 30)?

Why did God exalt Jesus “to his own right hand as Prince and Savior” (verse 31)?

Who are the witnesses (verse 32)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to or for God?

In your opinion, what is the difference between the Israelite people in Joshua 24:19-24 saying “we will serve the Lord our God and obey him” and the apostles in Acts 5:25-33 saying “we must obey God rather than human beings”?

In your opinion, why do the people who shouted “His blood is on us and on our children” in Matthew 27:11-31 get upset and accuse the apostles of being “determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood” in Acts 5:25-33?

1 Peter 3:15-18 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Where should we “revere Christ as Lord” (verse 15)?

Who should we “always be prepared to give an answer to” (verse 15)?

How should we give that answer (verse 15)?

Why should we keep a clear conscience (verse 16)?

What is better than suffering “for doing evil” (verse 17)?

Who suffered for sins (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to or for God?

In your opinion, how is Joshua’s instruction to the Israelites to “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord” in Joshua 24:19-24 applicable to Christian’s who Paul commands “in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” in 1 Peter 3:15-18?

In your opinion, how does Jesus’s selective answers to the questions that Pilate asked him in Matthew 27:11-31 help us understand what Peter meant in 1 Peter 3:15-18 when he encouraged Christians to “always be prepared to give an answer”?

In your opinion, how do the apostles in Acts 5:25-33 help us understand what Peter means by saying “always be prepared to give an answer” in 1 Peter 3:15-18? 

In your opinion, what do these passages from Joshua, Matthew, Acts and 1 Peter teach us about yielding our hearts to God?

In your opinion, how does revering God help us to “always be prepared to give an answer . . . with gentleness and respect”?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)