The Story
May 19, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
Jesus enters His final hours with divine resolve. He washes feet, predicts betrayal, agonizes in Gethsemane, stands silent before His accusers, and bears the full weight of sin on the cross. Then, on the third day, He rises in glory. The tomb is empty. In the darkest hour, the light of the world cannot be extinguished—He is risen!
Passages: Matthew 26–28; Mark 14–16; Luke 22–24; John 13–14, 16–21
Main Idea: The cross is not the end of the story—it’s the turning point of history.
Lesson 17: The Hour of Darkness & The Resurrection
I. The Last Passover (Mark 14; John 13)
- Jesus washes the disciples’ feet – the King becomes the servant
- Betrayal Foretold – Judas is identified
- The Last Supper – Jesus institutes the New Covenant in His blood
II. “I Have Overcome the World” (John 14, 16–17; Matthew 26)
- Jesus comforts His disciples – “Let not your hearts be troubled”
- Promises the Holy Spirit – Advocate and Guide
- High Priestly Prayer (John 17) – Jesus prays for His disciples and future believers
III. In the Garden (Matthew 26; Luke 22; John 18)
- Gethsemane: “Not My will, but Yours” – Jesus sweats drops of blood
- The disciples sleep, then flee
- Jesus is arrested—betrayed with a kiss
IV. The Trial (Matthew 26–27; Luke 22–23; John 18–19)
- Before Annas and Caiaphas – false witnesses accuse Him
- Peter denies Jesus three times
- Sanhedrin condemns Him at daybreak
- Before Pilate, then Herod, then back to Pilate
- Barabbas released; Jesus is scourged
- Caiaphas says: “It is better that one man should die for the people…” (John 11:50)
- Pilate yields to the crowd—Jesus is sentenced to death
V. Jesus Wears the Father’s Crown (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19)
- Mocked with a crown of thorns
- Nailed to the cross at 9:00 a.m.
- Darkness covers the land from noon to 3:00 p.m.
- Jesus cries out: “It is finished.” He gives up His spirit
- Buried in a borrowed tomb
VI. Into the Tomb (Matthew 27; John 19)
- Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus bury Jesus
- A guard is placed at the tomb
VII. Resurrection! (Mark 16; John 20)
- Women find the tomb empty – “He is not here; He is risen!”
- Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas
- Doubt turns to worship: “My Lord and my God!”
VIII. Questions and Answers (Luke 24)
- Road to Emmaus – hearts burn as Jesus opens the Scriptures
- Jesus appears to His disciples – eats with them, teaches, commissions
IX. Restored and Commissioned (Matthew 28; John 21)
- Peter is restored on the shore – “Do you love Me? Feed My sheep.”
- Jesus gives the Great Commission – “Go and make disciples…”
- Promise of His presence: “I am with you always.”
Key Themes & Takeaways
- Jesus suffered not just physically—but spiritually, bearing our sin.
- God’s justice and mercy meet at the cross.
- The resurrection vindicates Jesus’ identity and mission.
- We are not called to admire the cross but to carry ours.
- The risen Christ is with us always—and He still sends us into the world.