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2005 Lenten Study Series: Matthew's Passion of Christ
The Denial of Christ
Read: Matthew
26:69-27:10
“Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
~ Matthew 26:75
1. While Jesus’ Messiahship is on trial in the Sanhedrin, Peter’s discipleship is on trial in the courtyard. Compare the two trials.
2. Why was Peter vulnerable before a servant girl? Would your faith be more vulnerable before an angry crowd or a person you deem unimportant?
3. Most of us will not be tried for our faith in a court of law, but our faith is tested in everyday life. Describe how these challenges take place in your life.
4. Characterize Peter’s three degrees of denial.
5. Peter’s denials were common knowledge in the early church, but Matthew would have written his gospel after Peter preached at Pentecost. If you had been Peter how would you have felt?
6. It wasn’t until Peter “remembered the word of Jesus” that he became truly aware of what he was doing. How can we become more aware of the word of Jesus?
7. How was Jesus’ handed over to Pilate?
8. What is the difference between Peter’s bitter weeping and Judas being seized with remorse?
9. What does Judas’ “confession” say about the religious authorities?
10. Consider this: Judas’ unclean money was used to buy an unclean place for unclean people. That is the best the law can do. But Jesus’ innocent blood established a new covenant for all people. That is grace at its best.
