December 10, 2023 – Isaiah in the New Testament – Childlike Wisdom

Childlike Wisdom

Isaiah 29:14-21 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Therefore once more I will astound these people
    with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
    the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
¹⁵ Woe to those who go to great depths
    to hide their plans from the Lord,
who do their work in darkness and think,
    “Who sees us? Who will know?”
¹⁶ You turn things upside down,
    as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
    “You did not make me”?
Can the pot say to the potter,
    “You know nothing”?

¹⁷ In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field
    and the fertile field seem like a forest?
¹⁸ In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,
    and out of gloom and darkness
    the eyes of the blind will see.
¹⁹ Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord;
    the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
²⁰ The ruthless will vanish,
    the mockers will disappear,
    and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down—
²¹ those who with a word make someone out to be guilty,
    who ensnare the defender in court
    and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.

 

What will happen to the “wisdom of the wise” (verse 14)?

What will those “who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord” have (verse 15)?

How do the people “turn things” (verse 16)?

When will “Lebanon be turned into a fertile field” (verse 17)?

Who will “hear the words of the scroll” (verse 18)?

Who will the humble “rejoice in” (verse 19)?

What will happen to the ruthless (verse 20)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the difference between godly and worldly wisdom?

Matthew 11:25-30 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Who said “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (verse 25)?

Who are “these things” hidden from (verse 25)?

Who are “these things” revealed to (verses 25)?

In your opinion, why was the Father pleased to do this (verse 26)?

What has been committed to Jesus by the Father (verse 27)?

Who knows the Father (verse 27)?

To whom does Jesus say “come to me” (verse 28)?

What we find if we take Jesus yoke and learn from Him (verse 29)?

What is light (verse 30)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the differences between godly and worldly wisdom?

In your opinion, what is the difference between the “wisdom of the wise” that will perish in Isaiah 29:14-21 and the things that are hidden from the wise but revealed to little children in Matthew 11:25-30?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Who sees the “message of the cross” as foolishness (verse 18)?

Who sees the “message of the cross” as the “power of God” (verse 18)?

What will be frustrated (verse 19)?

In your opinion, “where is the philosopher of this age” (verse 20)?

How is God pleased “to save those who believe” (verse 21)?

What do “Jews demand” (verse 22)?

What do “Greeks look for” (verse 22)?

What is “Christ crucified” to the Gentiles (verse 23)?

To whom is Christ “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (verse 24)?

What is “wiser than human wisdom” (verse 25)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the differences between godly and worldly wisdom?

In your opinion, what does 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 reveal about the wonder that God was going to do to “astound these people” in Isaiah 29:14-21 that would destroy wisdom of the people of Judah in Isaiah and the people of Corinth in 1 Corinthians?

In your opinion, how does 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 help us understand how something can be hidden from the wise and revealed to little children as Jesus praised the “Father, Lord of heaven and earth” for doing in Matthew 11:25-30?

2 Timothy 3:10-17 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In your opinion, who is the “you” who knows “all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love . . .” (verse 10)?

Who did Paul say “rescued me from all of them” (verse 11)?

Who will be persecuted (verse 12)?

Who will “go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (verse 13)?

How is Timothy to continue (verse 14)?

What are “the Holy Scriptures” able to do (verse 15)?

What is “God-breathed” (verse 16)?

Who is to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (verse 17)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the differences between godly and worldly wisdom?

In your opinion, what wisdom does 2 Timothy 3:10-17 reveal that will not perish with the “wisdom of the wise” in Isaiah 29:14-21?

In your opinion, what do the challenges that Paul faced, as outlined in 2 Timothy 3:10-17, reveal about the rest that Jesus promises for “weary and burdened” He calls to come to Him in Matthew 11:25-30?

In your opinion, how does the decision point of “Christ crucified” in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 become the place where those who see Him as a stumbling block or foolishness go from “bad to worse” and those who see Christ as Savior are persecuted? 

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Matthew, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Timothy teach us about the conflict between worldly and godly wisdom?

In your opinion, how does God continue to rescue those who see Christ crucified as wisdom and strength today?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

March 28, 2021 - Mark’s Good News about Jesus – An Upside-Down World

An Upside-Down World

Isaiah 29:13-16 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ The Lord says:

“These people come near to me with their mouth
    and honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
    is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
¹⁴ Therefore once more I will astound these people
    with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
    the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
¹⁵ Woe to those who go to great depths
    to hide their plans from the Lord,
who do their work in darkness and think,
    “Who sees us? Who will know?”
¹⁶ You turn things upside down,
    as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
    “You did not make me”?
Can the pot say to the potter,
    “You know nothing”?

Where are the hearts of the people (verse 13)?

What will perish (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why would people go to great depths to “hide their plans from the Lord” (verse 15)?

How do people turn things upside down (verse 16)?

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

Mark 10:32-45 - New International Version (NIV)

³² They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. ³³ “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, ³⁴ who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

³⁸ “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

³⁹ “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Who was leading “on their way up to Jerusalem” (verse 32)?

Who will be “delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law” (verse 33)?

What will happen three days after He is mocked, spit on flogged and killed (verse 34)?

Who wanted Jesus to “do for us whatever we ask” (verse 35)?

What did they want (verse 37)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus ask “can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” (verse 38)?

How did they answer (verse 39)?

Who will sit at Jesus left or right (verse 40)?

In your opinion, why did the ten become indignant (verse 41)?

Who lords it over the Gentiles (verse 42)?

What does the disciple who wants to be great have to do (verse 43)?

Who “first must be slave of all” (verse 44)?

What did the Son of Man come to do (verse 45)?

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

In your opinion, who fulfills the statement of Isaiah 29:13-16 that “you turn things upside down” in the interaction of Jesus and the disciples in Mark 10:32-45?  What do you think is the most astounding thing that Jesus is saying He will do?

Acts 2:25-32 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
²⁷ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. ³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Where did David see the Lord (verse 25)?

How does David react to seeing the Lord (verse 26)?

Where will the Lord not abandon David to (verse 27)?

What was made known to David (verse 28)?

What happened to David (verse 29)? 

Who did God promise David would be on his throne (verse 30)?

What did David speak of (verse 31)?

Who was not “abandoned to the realm of the dead” (verse 31)?

What has God done (verse 32)?

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

In your opinion, how does Peter show in Acts 2:25-32 that God fulfilled the promise of Isaiah 29:13-16 to “astound these people”?

In your opinion, how does Peter in Acts 2:25-32 show both the history of and the reality of Jesus rising from the dead as foretold in Mark 10:32-45?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

What is “foolishness to those who are perishing” (verse 18)?

What is “the power of God” to those who are being saved (verse 18)?

What will God destroy (verse 19)?

In your opinion, “where is the wise person” (verse 20)?

What was God pleased to do through foolishness (verse 21)?

Who will “look for wisdom” (verse 22)?

What does Paul preach (verse 23)?

For whom is “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (verse 24)?

What is “wiser than human wisdom” (verse 25)?

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

In your opinion, how do Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 echo the contrast of the worldly view and the Godly view that God shared in Isaiah 29:13-16? 

In your opinion, how do the contrasting views of Jesus and the disciples in Mark 10:32-45 illustrate the difference between the wisdom and intelligence of the world and that of God as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25?

In your opinion, is the confidence David expresses because “the Lord is always before me” in Acts 2:25-32 an example of worldly wisdom or Godly wisdom as defined by 1 Corinthians 1:18-25?  Why?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Mark, Acts and 1 Corinthians teach us about how the world turns things upside down?

In your opinion, how do we turn ourselves right side up?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 16, 2019 – Learning from James – Wisdom: Gift or Goal

-                        The

Wisdom: Gift or Goal


Proverbs 2:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding—
³ indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.

⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
⁸ for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

⁹ Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹ Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.

What will you understand and find if you accept Solomon’s words, turn your ear to wisdom, call for insight and search for it as for hidden treasure (verses 1-5)?

In your opinion, what is “fear of the Lord” (verse 5)?

Who gives wisdom (verse 6)?

What comes from the mouth of the Lord (verse 6)?

Who is the Lord a shield for (verse 7)?

What does the Lord protect (verse 8)?

What will we then understand  (verse 9)?

Where will wisdom enter (verse 10)?

What will understanding do (verse 11)?

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

Mark 8:27-33 - New International Version (NIV)                

²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

³¹ He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³² He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Where were Jesus and his disciples (verse 27)?

Who did the people say that Jesus was (verses 27 and 28)?

How did Peter answer Jesus’ question “who do you say I am” (verse 29)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus warn them not to tell anyone (verse 30)?

Who must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law (verse 31)?

What will happen three days after he is killed (verse 31)?


Who took Jesus aside and “began to rebuke him” (verse 32)?


What kind of concerns did Jesus say Peter had (verse 33)?


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


In your opinion, what does Peter’s correct answer about who Jesus is, followed by his rebuke of Jesus, and then Jesus saying “get behind me Satan” in Mark 8:27-33 teach us about the wisdom that is proclaimed in Proverbs 2:1-10?


1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

What is “foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (verse 18)?

What will happen to “the wisdom of the wise” (verse 19)?

In your opinion, “where is the wise person” (verse 20)?

Who does the world not know “through its wisdom” (verse 21)?

Who looks for wisdom (verse 22)?

What is “foolishness to Gentiles” (verse 23)?

Who is the “power of God and the wisdom of God” to those who are called by God (verse 24)?

What is “wiser than human wisdom” (verse 25)?

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

In your opinion, how is the wisdom that Solomon instructs us to search for in Proverbs 2:1-10 revealed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25?

In your opinion, how does Peter in Mark 8:27-33 demonstrate both the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God that Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25? 


James 3:13-18 – New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

How are the “wise and understanding” to show it (verse 13)?

What are we to do with “bitter envy and selfish ambition” (verse 14)?


What are “bitter envy and selfish ambition” (verses 14 and 15)?


Where will you find “disorder and every evil practice” (verse 16)?


What is “pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full or mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (verse 17)?


Who will reap a “harvest of righteousness” (verse 18)?


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


In your opinion, what do Solomon in Proverbs 2:1-10 and James in James 3:13-18 share in their belief about wisdom?


In your opinion, how do the two different incidents with Peter in Mark 8:27-33 illustrate the two different sources of wisdom explained in James 3:13-18?


In your opinion, why does James 3:13-18 talk about the “wisdom that comes from heaven” while 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 talks about “the foolishness of God”?  Are they the same?


In your opinion, what do these passages from Proverbs, Mark, 1 Corinthians and James help us understand about the difference between wisdom as a goal, and wisdom as a gift from God?


In your opinion, how can we find heavenly wisdom today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

April 14, 2019 – Looking Backward and Forward from Zechariah – Dispersed and Saved

Dispersed and Saved


Deuteronomy 30:1-6 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, ² and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, ³ then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. ⁴ Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. ⁵ He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. ⁶ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

What are the Israelite people to take to heart (verse 1)?

Where will the Lord disperse the Israelite people (verse 1)?


Who will return to the “Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul” (verse 2)?


From where will the Lord gather the people (verse 3)?


What will the people of Israel do when they are brought back (verse 5)?


Why will God “circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants” (verse 6)?


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

Zechariah 13:1-9 - New International Version (NIV)           

¹ “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

² “On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. ³ And if anyone still prophesies, their father and mother, to whom they were born, will say to them, ‘You must die, because you have told lies in the Lord’s name.’ Then their own parents will stab the one who prophesies.

⁴ “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive. ⁵ Each will say, ‘I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.’ ⁶ If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’

⁷ “Awake, sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who is close to me!”
    declares the Lord Almighty.
“Strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered,
    and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
⁸ In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
    “two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
    yet one-third will be left in it.
⁹ This third I will put into the fire;
    I will refine them like silver
    and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
    and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”

What will the fountain that is opened to “the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” do (verse 1)?

When will God “banish the names of the idols from the land” (verse 2)?


Who will tell anyone who prophesies “you must die” (verse 3)?


In your opinion, why will every prophet be “ashamed of their prophetic vision” (verse 4)?


Who calls for the sword to awake “against my shepherd” (verse 7)?


How many will be left (verse 8)?


Who will call on God’s name (verse 9)?


What will God say (verse 9)?


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


In your opinion, how are the striking of the shepherd in Zechariah 13:1-9 and the circumcision of the heart that Moses promises in Deuteronomy 30:1-6 related?


John 19:11-16 – New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

¹² From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

¹³ When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). ¹⁴ It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.

“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

¹⁵ But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

¹⁶ Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

What does Pilate not have over Jesus “if it were not given to you from above” (verse 11)?

Who kept shouting “if you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar” (verse 12)?

Where did Pilate sit (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why did Pilate tell the Jews “here is your king” (verse 14)?

What did the Jews shout (verse 15)?

How did the Jews respond to Pilate’s question,  “shall I crucify your king” (verse 15)?

What did Pilate do (verse 16)?

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

In your opinion, how does the chanting of the Israelites to crucify Jesus in John 19:11-16 help us understand why the nation might need to be disbursed by God as Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 30:1-6?

In your opinion, how is what happened to Jesus in John 19:11-16 related to the prophecy about striking the shepherd in Zechariah 13:1-9?


1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

What is the message of the cross to “those who are perishing” (verse 18)?

What is the message of the cross to “us who are being saved” (verse 18)?


Who will “destroy the wisdom of the wise” (verse 19)?


In your opinion, “where is the wise person” (verse 20)?


What was God pleased to do “through the foolishness of what was preached” (verse 21)?


Who looks for wisdom (verse 22)?


In your opinion, why is Christ crucified a “foolishness to Gentiles” (verse 23)?


For whom is “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (verse 24)?


How does the foolishness of God compare to human wisdom (verse 25)?


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


In your opinion, what does 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 reveal about how those who in Deuteronomy 30:1-6 have been “banished to the most distant land under the heavens” will be brought back to God?


In your opinion, what does 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 help us understand about the fountain that Zechariah sees cleansing from “sin and impurity” in Zechariah 13:1-9?


In your opinion, how is the wisdom that Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 will be destroyed by God exhibited in John 19:11-16?


In your opinion, what do these passages from Deuteronomy, Zechariah, John and 1 Corinthians teach 
us about God’s perfect answer to worldly wisdom?


In your opinion, how can we who have been dispersed learn to look to the “foolishness of the cross” instead of signs or the world’s wisdom?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)