Discussion Questions for Reading 2 Philippians 2:6-11 - One test of a good leader is that he or she never asks a follower or "an underling" to do what he or she would not be able or willing to do. How does this apply to Jesus as our leader, as the one who leads us through life to God? Death is part of our human condition. What if Jesus had said, "No thank you, Father, I'll skip this part?" Death on a cross was the worst death possible at the time of Jesus. It was the death of a criminal. Why do you think Jesus accepted this kind of death?
Discussion Question for Gospel Luke 22:14--23:56 - Over the years, the "good thief" (we do not really know whether he was a thief or not, but he is traditionally called a thief) has been given the name Dismas. He has been considered a saint, and is the patron of prisoners and those who help people who are in jail. "To visit the imprisoned" is a work of mercy Jesus asked of his followers. (See Matthew 25:31-46.)
According to this passage from the Gospel of Luke, the only people around Jesus who recognized him in any way were this criminal (who accepts responsibility for what he did and asks Jesus only to "remember him") and the centurion who, after Jesus? death, glorified God and said, "This man was innocent."
Jesus' friends and acquaintances "stood at a distance." Sometimes, when we go through hard times, our friends and acquaintances also keep their distance! However, Jesus was not left alone. The thief and the centurion, who had never met him before, were there with him. They believed in him. Sometimes encouragement comes from people we least expect. We are not left alone. Have you had this experience?
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