Easter | Jesus and the Belligerent (Religious Leaders) | Easter's Villains Meet Easter's Victor - Part 1

Send us Fan MailJESUS AND THE BELLIGERENT (RELIGIOUS LEADERS)Easter Villains meet Easter’s Victor - Part 1Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith StewartMarch 19, 2023There is no hate quite like religious hate. Jesus knew all too well what it meant to be targeted by religious extremists. This message exposes the truth. Discover how even the greatest darkness could not extinguish God’s purpose in Jesus Christ.SERIES: EASTER’S VILLAINS MEET EASTER’S VICTORIt’s easy to assume that good guys have the only lessons we need to learn. But that’s not even remotely true. There are plenty of things to learn from the bad guys as well. On a basic level, villains often propel the story forward and provide contrast to the hero. Honestly, stories can’t exist without them. Typically, the worse the bad guy, the greater the triumph of the good guy. This is especially true when it comes to the Easter story. As the salvation story reaches its climax, the villains multiply and bring their collective power against the Son of God. But far from a message of despair and hopelessness, Easter’s Victor soars above the conflict to bring light and salvation to all who seek it.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Jesus included the excluded and it infuriated the Pharisees who saw this as a violation of the purification laws. What other examples are you aware of in the Gospels where Jesus included the excluded? What do you love about the story you cited as an example? In what ways have you personally made attempts to include the excluded? What has been your experience? What would your response be to those who misunderstand or judge you for the company you keep?2. Though we may not deal with the level of judgmentalism regarding Sabbath law observe that Jesus did, even today, there are those who have their one rule that determines whether someone is in or out in their book. Have you ever met someone like this? What did they consider as their one all-important rule? How would you respond to a judgmental Christian?3. What the Bible lays out in terms of opposition to Christ is a process of intensification and escalation. It begins by questioning the company He keeps. This puts Him on the outs with them. Then they begin policing His every move in an attempt to catch Him breaking more serious laws. Once He violates their idea of sabbath-keeping, they feel justified in regarding Him as a false teacher and a threat. Then once Jesus exposes the corruption in the entire temple system of exploitation of the poor worship goers, they become convinced that Jesus must die. It’s a dangerous pathway that begins as we judge and paint others as the enemy. Maybe this is why Jesus taught us that hate is the moral equivalent of murder because we’ve already killed someone in our heart. Though it’s easy to judge others for doing this, even we ourselves can be guilty of dehumanizing others, painting them as the embodiment of their worst mistakes, and feeling justified in treating them poorly. How do we interrupt this downward, negative spiral? Have you ever had to reverse course because you found yourself going down this path about someone who hurt you?4. Jesus took on the exploitation of the poor that was happening at the Temple in Jerusalem – effectively shutting down on one of the busiest and most important days of the year. Of course, the religious leaders took this very personally and seriously. But Jesus’ anger was fully justified and appropriate. Anger is not the opposite of love – apathy and indifference are the opposite of love. Have you ever known or experienced an injustice that provoked you to anger and action? What was it? What did you do? What happened as a result?https://www.springcreekchurch.org/ #realspringcreekchurch #easter #villains #darkness #Jesus #victor #religion #hate #love #redemption #hope #encouragement