In the biblical narrative, we often see God use the unexpected and unimportant to bring about change in the world. The story of Jesus, his birth, life, death, and resurrection, is no different. Our new conversation, Started from the Bottom, is an exploration of the good news according to Matthew. Over the next few weeks, we will look at snapshots from the book of Matthew that exemplify the good news found in the story of Jesus.

This week we explore how the stories we carry with us shape the kind of world we can inhabit. Yet, their ability to shape us is not overly determined. Our ability to listen to different stories helps our own story remain malleable, which allows new voices to affect how they are understood and lived out. Walking through the last days of Jesus, we will reveal how Matthew's Jesus reshaped their ancient hope to reveal a better way forward.

Formational Learning:

As we explored this scene from Matthew’s telling of the Jesus story, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through this passage today?

(Head)

Jesus challenged the widely believed story that fighting culture, be it Jerusalem or Rome, was inevitable. Jesus did this while celebrating the parts of their shared stories that recognized their common humanity. What stories do we need to rethink or stop carrying with us, to free us to follow Jesus' way forward?

John Caputo says that we must learn to own our tradition so that it no longer owns us, what parts of our tradition can we celebrate?

(Heart)

Have you experienced a moment like Peter, where you sacrificed so much, only to discover that you were chasing Barabbas and not Christ? How did you respond to this discovery?

(Hands)

Jesus never left his tradition. He stayed connected in vulnerability to show a better ending. How can we stay connected while honoring the call to vulnerability and our need for healthy relationships/systems?