Teaching resource for Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson for May 31

Ideas and questions to help group members and leaders study and teach Matthew 27:27–54

First, use this icebreaker idea.

1. Divide the group into pairs.
2. Ask this question: In today’s lesson, we see how Jesus endured mocking in front of a rather large group of soldiers. Do you recall an experience when you witnessed someone being mocked by a large group or even a few?   How did it make you feel and how do you think the person being mocked or being made fun of felt?

Matthew 27:27–31

1. What did Jesus have to endure from the Sanhedrin before the mocking by the soldiers? See Matthew 26:67–68.   
2. Which is worse-being mocking by just one person or in front of a group? Most would agree in front of a group is by far worse. Is this what happened to Jesus? Yes.
3. Ask group members to describe what they think of when they think of mocking. The word used for mock in original language of the New Testament means to make fun of, deride and to belittle.
4. What specific things did the soldiers do to mock Jesus? Stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet robe, put crown of thorns on his head, put staff in his right hand, knelt before him and said, “Hail, king of the Jews,” spat on him and repeatedly hit him on the head with the staff.
5. Did the Old Testament prophesy about some of these specific things? Yes. See Isaiah 50:6 and 53:7–8. Did Jesus also predict this? Yes. See Matthew 20:19.  
6. Describe how you think Jesus was feeling after having been recently betrayed by Judas, the disciples deserting him and now the intense mocking? This can be discussed in the group or in pairs.

Matthew 27:45–49

1. After Jesus had been on the cross since 9:00 a.m., what happened at noon and continued until 3:00 p.m.? Darkness came over the whole land.  
2. What was the significance of the darkness?   There are several possible answers. It was one of the ten plagues that came upon Egypt before the Israelites were freed. How long did it last? Three days. See Amos 8:9 for further insight.
3. What is the origin of the words Jesus spoke from the cross around 3:00 p.m.? He was quoting Psalm 22:1 but spoke in Aramaic. In Psalm 22 David prophesied some 800 years earlier many of the things that happened to Jesus as seen here in Matthew 27.   
4. Why did Jesus ask God his Father why he abandoned him? A. On a theological level, he was abandoned because he took the punishment for our sin by becoming sin. (II Corinthians 5:21). Psalm 22:3 further adds that it was because God is holy and cannot look on sin. It is in that sense that people who have not had their sin problem resolved cannot go heaven where no sin is permitted because of God’s holiness. B. Even though Jesus was fully God, he was still fully human. Because of what he been through he surely must have felt abandoned by his own Father on an emotional level.
5. Are there lessons we can learn about family relationships in how Jesus felt abandoned? Yes.  Of all the people children should be able count on to never abandon them are their parents. This also goes for spouses with spouses and aging parents with their children. We all need to know there is that one person we can depend on. Even when our children behave badly, should they not able to count on their parents to be there for them?
6. Name some groups from the past or the present who must have felt abandoned. The Jews during WWII as well as refugee in any war, Native Americans, Afro Americans before receiving civil rights, single moms, widows, orphans just to name a few. Ask group members to name others. 
7. Why did some standing nearby think Jesus was calling for Elijah?  The word for God Jesus used sounded like Elijah, and it was also thought that Elijah would return before the end of time (Malachi 4:5–6).

Matthew 27:50–54

1. What was the significance of the veil in the Temple being torn in two from top to bottom? It is believed that this was the thick curtain protecting the holy of holies from those in the temple. Only the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies once a year. Because of his death on the cross, Jesus had opened the way to God for all people. He was our great High Priest. This is the basis for priesthood of the believers that Baptists hold so dear. See Hebrews 6:19; 9:11-14; 10:19–20.   
2. What other significant events happened as Jesus died? The earth quaked, rocks were split, and many tombs were opened and the bodies of saints were raised. After Jesus was raised, they came out of the tombs and went to Jerusalem. Do we know who they were? It is believed they were Old Testament believers.
3. What impact did the earthquake and things that happened have on the centurion and those with him? They were terrified and recognized Jesus as the Son of God.