Easter 2020 - Reflective Talks

Over the next few days a series of videos will appear on this page helping people reflect on the story of Jesus going to the cross. Each one will contain a Bible reading from Matthew's gospel and a short talk, followed by questions to reflect on.
1. Peter (Matthew 26:31-56, 69-75)
 Reflective Questions:
  • Conceit? When do I think that I can do better than everyone else? When do I think I know better than Jesus?
  • Complacency? Do you feel that you don't need God's help. How seriously do you take those lines in the Lord's Prayer: 'Your will be done...', 'Lead us not into temptation.'
  • Combative? Do you feel you need to fight for God? Are you aggressive or defensive when speaking about him?
  • Alone? How can you find comfort from Jesus's experience of desertion as you struggle with times of loneliness?
​2. Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57-68)
 Reflective Questions:
  • Temple. Do you focus on the church too much as a human institution or building, as opposed to a people with Christ as the head?
  • ​Power. Do you fear human power or like Jesus do you see God as the ultimate judge?
  • ​Truth. Do you see the Bible as a more real truth than the 'truth' put across by those in authority?
3. Judas (Matthew 27:1-10)
Reflective Questions:
  • Linking the Old. Read Jeremiah 19: and Zechariah 11:4-17. What connections can you see with our passage? What lessons is Matthew drawing out?
  • Blood. Can you imagine yourself turning your back on Jesus? How does what we have learnt stand as a warning against this?
  • Value. How valuable is Jesus to you? Why is he so valuable? Is there anything else in life that you value more?
​4. Pilate (Matthew 27:11-26)
Reflective Questions:
  • Fulfilment. Do you trust that God is still in control, even when you feel like a hopeless victim?
  • Justice. Do you care that justice is done in the world and in your decisions? Or are you tempted to abdicate responsibility?
  • Violence. Do you respond aggressively to those who might be seem to oppress you? Or with gentleness and love?
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5. The Centurion (Matthew 27:27-54)
Reflective Questions:
  • The Bullies. How can Jesus's example help us to cope in a world that ridicules and bullies Christians?
  • The Mockers. Do we have our tests for God? Or do we know people that lay down their tests for God?
  • The Persuaded. What surprising person might God want you to help persuade about Jesus?
6. Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:55-66)
Reflective Questions:
  • Service. In what ways does God want us to grow in servant-heartedness like Jesus?
  • Exception. Are there any groups or types of people you think can never be a disciple?
  • Desperation. Do we still fear what people or authorities might do to stop Christians? How confident are you that Christ will never be kept down?
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7. Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28:1-10)
Reflective Questions:
  • Suffering. How is the Christian message real about suffering, whilst holding out hope?
  • History. What most persuades you about the historic truth of the resurrection?
  • Power. How does the resurrection show that God is more powerful than any human institution?
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