Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 26:57-68 ESV
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Key Points
- Jesus was seen but not known, so that in him we could be fully seen and known.
- Jesus was heard but not understood, so that in him we could be fully heard and understood.
- Jesus was judged but not accepted, so that in him we could be fully accepted and free from judgment.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
-2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: When was a time you felt seen but not known, and how did that affect you?
2: What hope do you find in the truth that Jesus was seen but not known, so that in him you could be fully seen and known?
3: When was a time you were heard but not understood, and how did that affect you (and those around you)?
4: What does it mean to you that Jesus was heard but not understood, so that in him you could be fully heard and understood?
5: When was a time you felt judged and not accepted, and how did that make you feel?
6: How are you encouraged to know that Jesus was judged but not accepted, so that in him you could be fully accepted and free from judgment?
7: Read this week’s memory verse (2 Corinthians 5:21) and answer the question that follows.
- What is the significance of the phrase “in him” in this week’s key points, questions for reflection, and memory verse?
8: What is the primary truth God revealed to you today?
- How will you respond?
- Who do you know who you can encourage with the truth this week?
Pray
Lord, you created us to know you. Jesus, you came to live with us so we could not only see you, but we could know you. Throughout Scripture, we see your desire for the world to know you are Lord. So often, we live as though we know you, but we do not truly seek to know you. You know when we sleep and when we rise, you know our needs before we do, even before a word is on our lips, you know it altogether, you know every hair on our heads, you created our inmost being, and you saw us when we were being formed in secret. Help us to put on our new nature and be renewed, as we learn to know you as our Creator and become like you (Colossians 3:10).
