Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
July 5, 2026
Matthew: Step into the Light
Matthew 26
1. Judas
Matthew 26:6-7
[6] Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, [7] a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
John 12:4-6
[4] But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, [5] “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” [6] He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Matthew 26:14-16
[14] Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests [15] and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 27:3-5
[3] Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, [4] saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” [5] And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
It’s remarkable that Judas was a part of Jesus’ ministry for three years and still didn’t believe. He had an up close and personal front row seat to Jesus’ miracles and compassion. How does Judas’ story serve as a warning to us today?
Why was Judas disappointed with Jesus?
Many people “follow” Jesus as long as there is some personal benefit. But Jesus tells us that following him will cost us. What might it cost us to follow Jesus for our entire lives?
Follow up question: why is it worth it to make so many sacrifices to follow Jesus?
2. Peter
Matthew 26:35
[35] Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Matthew 26:72
[72] And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
Matthew 26:75
[75] And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
John 21:4-8
[4] Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” [6] He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. [7] That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. [8] The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
“Peter weeps bitterly while Judas is seized with remorse. They appear to reach the same point. But then their stories diverge. Peter will go on to preach boldly, lead the church and die as a martyr. Judas takes his own life. What matters most in our lives is not whether we sin or not — for everyone sins. What matters is what we do with our sin. We can take it to Jesus in repentance and find forgiveness. Or we can hide our sin, deny our guilt or descend into despair. What makes the difference is how we view Jesus: when we recognize the love that chose the cross, we’ll run into his arms.”
~Tim Chester
How does the story of Peter encourage you?
Do you typically want to run to Jesus with your sin like Peter? Or hide it like Judas? Why?
3. Mary
Matthew 26:6-10
[6] Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, [7] a woman [Mary] came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. [8] And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? [9] For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” [10] But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
This perfume cost about a year’s worth of income for the average worker in those days. Why was Mary willing to use something so costly to anoint Jesus?
We may have to think about this one for a second before answering, but how is Mary’s act a foreshadow of the cross?
Jesus put himself in our darkness so we could live in his light.
Are you loving Jesus with a sacrificial love? (or only when it’s convenient?)
What is one thing you can do to walk in the light more consistently?
