Episode 1

Overview: This series will cover the early years of the Christian movement, and so it starts with the explosive events of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. For Jesus’ followers, this was not the end of the line, but a whole new beginning.

Bible Connections: Matthew 27:3-5 (Judas); 27:32-53 (crucifixion); 27:57-66 (burial); 28:2-4 (resurrection); Luke 22:54-62 (Peter); 23:47 (centurion).

Other Sources: Ancient historians Josephus and Philo confirm the frequent political maneuvers between Pontius Pilate (the Roman governor) and Caiaphas (the Jewish chief priest). They sometimes worked together against common foes.

Dramatic Imagination: Years later, a Roman centurion named Cornelius would play an important role in the advance of Christianity. Was he the sympathetic centurion at the foot of Jesus’ cross? Possibly, but we don’t know. It makes a good story. . . . And what do angels look like? They’re often associated with light, but they’re sometimes mistaken for humans, and people seem terrified when they show up. Angels often bring divine messages, but they’re also described as God’s army. So, were the guards at Jesus’ tomb overwhelmed by a burst of resurrection power or by “warrior angels”? Maybe both.

Entry Level

• The crucifixion is a central story of the Christian faith. You’re probably quite familiar with it. But as you watched this episode, did you understand any part of the story in a new way? Were things portrayed as you’ve always imagined them, or were the scenes very different?
• What did you feel was the most powerful scene? How did it make you feel?
• Which of the characters in this episode did you most identify with? Why?

Dig Deeper

• Go back in time to the events of this episode. If you were a follower of Jesus back then and you saw him crucified, how would you feel? Crushed? Betrayed? Angry? Hopeless? Or still expecting a miracle?
• Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy, well-connected man. How risky was it for him to bury Jesus’ body? Was he identifying himself as a follower of Jesus, or at least a sympathizer? Why would he take that risk?
• Why were Caiaphas and Pilate so worried about a continuing threat from Jesus’ followers? Why did they post guards at the tomb?

Takeaway

• In this episode, we met several people dealing with various emotions and issues: Judas; Peter; the centurion; Mary the mother of Jesus; Joseph of Arimathea; Mary Magdalene and other disciples. Which of these are you tracking with? Are you dealing with similar issues? Are you struggling with guilt like Peter, or the all-consuming remorse of Judas? Are you, like the centurion, on the outside looking in? Or are you keeping your faith a secret, perhaps like Joseph? Or are you “all in,” like Mary, fully committed, but trying to stay faithful through life’s ups and downs?
• As you see it now, what happened at the cross? Does that have any effect on your life now?