The Final Days

1. The Final Days ICS 7th Grade Religion

2. Preparing the Way • Imagine you were leaving for a long trip, a trip that you might never return from. Imagine you left behind some important work to do. What preparations would you make? • Jesus was very close to His Apostles, and before Jesus’ mission came to an end he made sure they were ready for the next step in their mission. • As we read, Jesus began sending his Apostles and disciples throughout Judea to begin practicing: healing the sick, forgiving sins, preaching the Good News.

3. The Disciples Learn… WHO DO YOU SAY THAT JESUS IS? How do you proclaim who Jesus is to others? If someone asked you “Who is Jesus” what would you say? Matthew 16 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,* and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

4. The Role of Peter • Peter recognized that Jesus was the Messiah – the Son of the Living God • For this, Peter is given a special blessing – and later a special role in the Church. • “Upon this rock I will build my church…Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” • Peter, from that point, had a special role. This didn’t mean that Peter was perfect, only that he became an example of what Christianity was all about. • Read Matthew 14:22-33 JESUS BEGINS PREPARING THE CHURCH – led by Peter, they will carry on Christ’s mission!

5. Suffering to Come • Jesus told his disciples that His own Suffering and Death was soon coming – and that on the Third Day he would rise again! • Mt 16 -- 21 From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life. • 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “God forbid it, Lord!” he said. “That must never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned around and said to Peter, “Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature.” • It is CLEAR that the Apostles, although trusted and had faith in Jesus, didn’t yet understand what was happening. • REMEMBER! • From the Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry, he was referred to as the Lamb of God (John 10) – who would be sacrificed for Humanity’s Sins. • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave up His only Son. That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. • This answers the question: why does Jesus come to Earth! • to Sacrifice himself for the sins of Humanity, so that we might have eternal life. • One sacrifice to end them all!

6. Promises to the Faithful • Promise of Eternal Life: • By following the Law of the New Covenant (Jesus’ example) Christians share in the Resurrection. • A life lived in true discipleship leads to Eternal Life - a life lived in perfect happiness with God for eternity! • Can you imagine what Eternal Life is? • Promise of a Second Coming: • Mt 25: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory … and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world • Jesus himself will Judge the world at the end of time.

7. Jesus: the Bread of Life • Jesus promised a new life for those who followed him; promised to always be with his disciples. • John 6:35, 51, 54-57 • Here, Jesus seems to be saying that He will be present to those who eat HIS BODY and BLOOD. • The Apostles and disciples were initially confused! How can someone eat of Jesus’ flesh!?! Is Jesus asking His followers to be cannibals? • It wouldn’t be until the Last Supper that the Apostles came to understand what Jesus Meant.

8. Entry into Jerusalem • Jesus finally makes his way to Jerusalem – the heart and soul of the Jews. He causes quite a stir: • Entrance through the EAST GATE = PALM SUNDAY! • This is the gate that prophet Ezekiel and the Jews believed the Messiah would enter Jerusalem through. • It was the Gate opposite of where the Romans entered. Zealots jumped at the opportunity to call Jesus their military leader. • Trouble in the Temple: • Cleansed of the Temple and preformed Great Miracles instead! (national stage!) • Predictions of the Temple’s Fall! • These actions caused the Jewish Leadership to begin plotting against him. • “What can we do?” they asked. “This man is doing many miraculous signs. If we let Him keep on doing this, everyone will believe in Him. Then the Romans will come. They will take away our temple and our nation. (Jn 11)