WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:07.400 And we're going to be reading from verses 45 to 54, and the words are up on the screen as well, 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:11.220 so you can follow along there or in your Bibles, whichever you prefer. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:19.179 But I'm going to read Matthew 27, starting in verse 45. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:32.200 From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the lands. 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:36.780 About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 00:00:37.179 --> 00:00:44.579 Eli, Eli, lemma sabachthani, which means, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:49.979 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, he's calling Elijah. 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:53.619 Immediately, one of them ran and got a sponge. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:58.519 He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff and offered it to Jesus to drink. 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:04.259 The rest said, now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him. 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:10.219 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:17.420 At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:22.420 The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:27.219 The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:35.840 They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:44.500 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:51.180 they were terrified and exclaimed, surely he was the son of God. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:54.180 Martin, thank you. 00:01:54.180 --> 00:02:03.660 Thanks very much. 00:02:04.160 --> 00:02:05.800 Alex, it's lovely to be back with you again. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:09.879 On a few other occasions, we've looked at some of these sayings of the Lord Jesus on the cross, 00:02:09.920 --> 00:02:14.659 and we're going to look at the other one that was mentioned from Psalm 22 this morning. 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:18.379 We'll really just focus in on those words of Jesus, 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:21.819 but obviously they come within the context of what's happening around it, 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:27.900 and hopefully we'll look at those verses to help us make sense of what Jesus says here on the cross. 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:30.819 But let's pray before we look at this together. 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:36.340 Father, we pray now that you might help us to grasp the truths of which we read, 00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:43.340 that we might grasp the very depths of suffering that Jesus experienced for us, 00:02:43.859 --> 00:02:46.039 so that we might never have to. 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:52.819 And so, Father, we pray that even as we think this morning of what it means to be forsaken by you, 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:57.060 that we might both grasp what Jesus has done for us, 00:02:57.459 --> 00:03:02.599 and rejoice then in what is ours because of all that he has done. 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:05.659 And we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:06.959 Amen. 00:03:06.959 --> 00:03:07.139 Amen. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:18.159 The very word forsaken is one of the most tragic in all of human speech. 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:23.079 That's what Arthur Pink writes before he lists a few examples. 00:03:24.179 --> 00:03:26.739 A man forsaken by his friends, 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:30.339 a wife forsaken by her husband, 00:03:31.339 --> 00:03:35.439 a child forsaken by its parents. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:41.539 Perhaps you've known what it's like to be forsaken. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:48.300 The word forsaken is one of the most tragic of all of human speech. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:53.960 Yet it's the word that Jesus uses here. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:56.219 Forsaken. 00:03:57.620 --> 00:04:02.879 It's only in the last couple of years that I finally got around to reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:05.479 When I say reading, I really mean listening. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:08.340 I was too lazy to read the book. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.599 I wasn't sure what to expect, 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:14.379 but I found it to be an incredibly moving story 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:18.399 in which I was filled with pity for Frankenstein's monster. 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:22.199 Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with creating life, 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:25.159 and he eventually succeeds in making a creature 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:27.899 that not only breathes and moves, 00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:30.759 but thinks and feels. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:34.539 But the creature's form is hideous, 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:37.539 and his stature is frightening. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:44.159 Frankenstein is repulsed at the creature he's brought into being, 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:46.180 and he abandons him. 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:50.800 The story is really one of being forsaken. 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:55.319 At one point, the monster cries out to his creator, 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:58.939 I ought to be thy Adam, 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:02.579 but I am rather the fallen angel 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:06.680 whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. 00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:11.100 We finally sense the anguish of the monster. 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:16.480 He cannot understand why he's being treated as he is. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:20.300 Rather than being loved by his creator, 00:05:21.540 --> 00:05:26.240 the creature has been abandoned and forsaken. 00:05:27.400 --> 00:05:29.700 He's treated more like Satan, 00:05:29.960 --> 00:05:31.700 driven from God's presence, 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:36.240 than Adam, who was created to enjoy God's company. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:39.400 And now his physical attributes mean 00:05:39.400 --> 00:05:42.580 that no one else will ever accept him. 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:46.199 He's both hideous and frightening. 00:05:47.359 --> 00:05:50.180 If his creator cannot love him, 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:51.919 who will? 00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:54.500 He is alone, 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:56.599 abandoned, 00:05:58.419 --> 00:05:58.979 forsaken. 00:05:58.980 --> 00:06:03.439 Now when we think of that sense of abandonment, 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:06.740 whether it's a creature forsaken by its creator, 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:09.120 a wife forsaken by her husband, 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:11.720 a child forsaken by parents, 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:14.580 or a person forsaken by friends, 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.720 it's incredible then to contemplate 00:06:18.340 --> 00:06:19.720 that Jesus experiences 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:24.860 what it means to be forsaken at the cross. 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:28.340 not just by his many followers, 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:32.160 or even by his closest friends, 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:37.199 but by his father in heaven. 00:06:38.340 --> 00:06:43.580 Because here we see a man forsaken by God. 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:47.660 Now I've chosen those words really carefully. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:52.060 A man forsaken by God. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:54.480 Maybe you've heard statements before 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.360 about how the eternal relationship 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:58.899 between God the Son and God the Father 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:02.259 is broken during these three hours upon the cross, 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:04.459 as though somehow there has been a change 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:06.540 in the eternal being of God. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:11.019 But God is unchangeable in his being. 00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:14.079 The trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:15.680 cannot be broken, 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:17.259 even for a second, 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.560 or else God himself would cease to be God. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:24.319 But this is the very reason 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:27.439 why the eternal Son of God 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:30.319 took on human flesh. 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.420 So that as a man, 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:35.340 he might experience 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:37.060 what it would be impossible 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:39.379 for God to experience. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:43.100 Things like hunger, tiredness, 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:45.420 suffering, pain, death, 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:48.639 even being forsaken by God. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:53.279 These things are true of the humanity of Jesus, 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:56.180 not of his divine nature. 00:07:57.979 --> 00:08:00.719 But for all of his life here upon earth, 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:05.319 Jesus has enjoyed unbroken fellowship 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:06.879 with his heavenly Father. 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:12.139 This is something that no other human being 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:14.919 has ever enjoyed. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:19.400 Jesus enjoys this unbroken fellowship 00:08:19.400 --> 00:08:22.400 because he enters the world without sin, 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:26.240 and he lives in this world without sin. 00:08:27.140 --> 00:08:29.319 There's absolutely nothing to hinder 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:30.960 his relationship with God. 00:08:31.520 --> 00:08:33.720 He alone enjoys 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:36.120 what should have been the experience 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.159 of every human being. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:40.939 what we all would have enjoyed 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:43.179 except for mankind's rebellion 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:45.079 against his Creator. 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:47.639 And we see evidence 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.980 of this unbroken fellowship 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:50.639 throughout Jesus' life on earth. 00:08:51.339 --> 00:08:52.639 Even as a young boy, 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:53.740 you remember that Jesus 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:55.059 disappears to the temple, 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.219 telling his earthly parents 00:08:57.219 --> 00:08:58.799 that he must be about 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.559 his Father's business. 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:05.579 Jesus says what his Father wants him to say. 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:08.339 He has come to do the Father's works. 00:09:08.819 --> 00:09:10.699 At times, Jesus pulls away 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:12.299 from the crowds to be alone 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:14.719 and to have more intimate times 00:09:14.719 --> 00:09:16.939 to talk to his Father in prayer. 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:20.379 But he lives all of his life 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:23.959 conscious of the Father's presence. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:27.620 And yet now, 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:30.080 as he hangs upon the cross, 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:33.460 this unbroken fellowship with God, 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:35.759 which he has enjoyed 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:37.040 for every second 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:38.759 of every minute, 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.420 of every hour, 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:42.080 of every day, 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:45.460 for his 33 years here upon earth, 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:49.600 comes to a sudden end. 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:52.519 And he cries out, 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.639 My God, 00:09:54.199 --> 00:09:55.120 My God, 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:59.319 Why have you forsaken me? 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:05.620 He is a man forsaken by God. 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:09.199 And this forsakenness 00:10:09.199 --> 00:10:11.120 is evidenced in a couple of ways. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:13.259 Matthew, first of all, 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.600 describes the darkness 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:16.899 of divine judgment. 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:19.539 It's a strange phenomenon, isn't it? 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:20.699 In verse 45, 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:22.100 from about noon 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:23.540 until three in the afternoon, 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:26.060 darkness came over the land. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:28.379 It must have been a sight 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:30.060 that no one living at the time 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:30.940 would ever forget. 00:10:31.900 --> 00:10:33.040 Perhaps you can remember, 00:10:33.140 --> 00:10:33.960 at least I remember, 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.300 especially in my childhood, 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:37.340 times when the electricity 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.280 went off at home 00:10:38.280 --> 00:10:40.700 and we had to rummage around 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:42.620 before we had torches 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.200 on our phones 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.100 to find the candles 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.320 in the drawers 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:46.080 and the matches 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.000 and light them up 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.080 and work out 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.280 how we were going to survive 00:10:49.280 --> 00:10:50.540 without light in the house 00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:52.320 for however many hours 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.620 the electricity would be off. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:56.100 Such events 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.000 are memorable 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:58.180 enough. 00:10:59.540 --> 00:11:00.240 But this, 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:02.259 this is darkness 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.580 in the middle of the day. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:06.040 This is darkness 00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:06.840 when the sun 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.740 is supposed to be 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.560 at its brightest. 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:10.560 From about noon 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:12.040 until three in the afternoon, 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.660 darkness came over 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.799 the land. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.240 Now of course 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.039 there'll be many people 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:18.899 and you've probably heard 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.860 people try to put this event 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:21.679 in the category 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:24.419 of a natural event. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.759 It was just a solar eclipse 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.779 and it was just a coincidence 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:29.860 that this occurs 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.919 at the time that Jesus 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:32.419 is on the cross. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.819 Now I'm no scientist 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:36.159 or astrologist 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:37.559 but like the rest of you 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:38.480 I have the ability 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.079 to Google 00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:40.399 what is the longest 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.919 possible solar eclipse 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.759 and if you're to do that 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.879 you'll find that the answer 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.459 is about seven and a half 00:11:46.459 --> 00:11:47.299 minutes. 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:49.719 So whatever this is 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:51.639 it's not a natural 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.039 solar eclipse. 00:11:54.099 --> 00:11:55.279 What happens here 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.240 is a supernatural 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.659 event. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.899 The question is 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:01.219 what are we to make 00:12:01.219 --> 00:12:02.500 of it? 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:04.539 Well it might 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.919 immediately conjure up 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.659 in your mind 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.639 a similar event 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:08.319 that lasted 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:10.419 not just for three hours 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:12.219 but for three 00:12:12.219 --> 00:12:13.639 whole days. 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:16.019 There have already 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:17.240 been eight plagues 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.399 sent upon the land 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:18.819 of Egypt 00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:19.679 because Pharaoh 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:21.360 refused to let 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.539 God's people go. 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:24.240 Each plague 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.059 seems to grow 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:25.839 in intensity 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:27.319 and severity. 00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:29.539 And after the plague 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.279 of darkness 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:31.639 Pharaoh tells Moses 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:32.919 never to come 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:33.959 before him again 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.019 and Moses 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:36.240 assures Pharaoh 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.980 that he will never 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.480 see Moses' 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.220 face 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:41.340 again. 00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:43.080 You see 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:43.840 this darkness 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.659 that fell upon 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.639 Egypt was the 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.180 darkness 00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:48.039 of divine 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:49.100 judgment. 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:51.180 The plague 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:51.899 of darkness 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.720 was followed 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.340 only 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.940 by the death 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.860 of Egypt's 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.620 firstborn 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:57.519 sons. 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:00.019 Egypt would face 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.560 the judgment 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.200 of God 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:01.759 from which it 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.220 would never 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.300 fully recover. 00:13:04.300 --> 00:13:04.800 Pharaoh had 00:13:04.800 --> 00:13:05.860 ignored God's 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.480 commands, 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.899 resisted God's 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.399 purposes 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.779 and spurned 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.639 God's mercy 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:12.000 and all that 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.960 remained was the 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.879 darkness of 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.460 divine judgment. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:18.759 Now here at the 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.800 cross for three 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:20.539 hours between 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.379 noon and three 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:21.899 o'clock 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.420 darkness came 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:25.379 over the land 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:27.300 and just as in 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:28.379 Egypt it was the 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.180 darkness of 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.620 divine judgment. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.519 Just as Moses 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.220 had withdrawn 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:33.960 from Pharaoh 00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:35.100 now it seems 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:35.580 that God 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:37.040 himself withdraws 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:38.139 from Jesus. 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.120 And just as 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.879 divine judgment 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.639 fell upon the 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.399 firstborn sons 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.019 of Egypt 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.019 now the 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.600 judgment of 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.480 God falls 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.360 on his 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.980 own son. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.680 Not just 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:51.300 the judgment 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:51.920 of God 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:52.560 for the sins 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:53.080 of one 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:53.560 nation 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:55.960 but the 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.560 judgment of 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:57.259 God for the 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:57.879 sins of 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.340 all nations. 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.500 The judgment 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.540 of God for 00:14:02.540 --> 00:14:03.580 all those who 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.139 had ignored 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.139 God's commands 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.559 resisted 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.460 God's purposes 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.980 and spurned 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:10.439 God's mercy. 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:13.000 The judgment 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.620 of God for 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.220 the sins of 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:14.659 the whole 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:16.659 world rested 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:18.559 upon Jesus. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.960 This strange 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.620 darkness that 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.179 covers the 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:22.659 land is 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:23.679 nothing less 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.939 than the 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:26.379 darkness of 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:28.019 divine judgment. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:30.679 It's no 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.519 surprise then 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:31.960 is it that 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.720 whenever Jesus 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.279 would talk 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:33.680 about the 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.519 eternal judgment 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.120 of hell 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.940 that will 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.399 come upon 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:36.840 those who 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.779 reject Jesus 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:39.200 he would 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:39.800 describe it 00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:40.480 in terms of 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.019 complete 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.620 darkness. 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.340 Outer 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.500 darkness. 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:47.820 This kind 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.420 of darkness 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.040 the darkness 00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:49.660 of divine 00:14:49.660 --> 00:14:50.120 judgment 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:50.740 the darkness 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.200 of hell 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:51.820 itself 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:53.420 is what 00:14:53.420 --> 00:14:53.920 Jesus 00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:55.220 experiences 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:57.100 at the 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:57.600 cross. 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:00.980 Because 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.240 you not 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:01.720 only see 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.300 the darkness 00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:02.920 of divine 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.440 judgment 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.120 but the 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.800 despair 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:07.379 of divine 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.639 absence. 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.460 Jesus cries 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.060 out in a 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:12.740 loud voice 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.700 my God 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.759 my God 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.500 why have 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.420 you forsaken 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.519 me? 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.200 This 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:20.600 strange 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.100 darkness 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.560 could have 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.120 been God's 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.460 judgment 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.360 on the 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:23.900 whole land 00:15:23.900 --> 00:15:24.480 of Israel 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.580 for their 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:25.980 rejection 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.400 of their 00:15:26.400 --> 00:15:26.920 Messiah. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.100 That would 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.900 be understandable 00:15:28.900 --> 00:15:29.580 wouldn't it? 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.700 But no we 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.500 see that God's 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.460 judgment is far 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:34.320 more specific 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:34.900 than that. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.879 God's judgment 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.680 is not falling 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.220 on the whole 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.139 land of Israel 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.240 not even the 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.940 whole world 00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:42.060 it is falling 00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:43.500 upon one 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.680 person 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:46.120 Jesus 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:48.320 because as 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.000 the darkness 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.600 of divine 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:49.960 judgment 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.679 falls on 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.299 the land 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.700 Jesus 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.919 experiences 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.840 the despair 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.580 of divine 00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:57.279 absence. 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.360 David had 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.019 once wrote 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.399 I was young 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:02.879 and now I 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.580 am old 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.799 yet I have 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.779 never seen 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.460 the righteous 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.019 forsaken. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.340 But isn't 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:10.919 that exactly 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.639 what we see 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:13.139 on the cross? 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:15.000 there was 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.539 no one 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.720 more righteous 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:18.419 than Jesus. 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.080 No one 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.659 could be 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.340 more righteous 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.539 than Jesus. 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.059 He had 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:24.759 perfectly 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.360 obeyed the 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:25.960 commands of 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.360 God and 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:26.799 completely 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.639 fulfilled the 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.539 purposes of 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:28.860 God. 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.340 No one 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:30.960 was more 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.720 righteous than 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.259 Jesus and 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:32.699 no one 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:33.559 could be 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.120 more righteous 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.799 than Jesus 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:35.860 yet here 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.679 he is 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:38.460 forsaken 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:40.400 by God 00:16:40.400 --> 00:16:43.000 experiencing 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.879 the despair 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.460 of divine 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.700 absence. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.000 Again 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.560 Arthur Pink 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.019 comments 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.720 the hiding 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.580 of God's 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.240 face from 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.780 him was 00:16:53.780 --> 00:16:54.340 the most 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.560 bitter ingredient 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.240 of that 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.540 cup which 00:16:57.540 --> 00:16:58.200 the father 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:58.879 had given 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.720 the redeemer 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.019 to drink. 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.139 This is 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.740 what caused 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.400 the torment 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.420 in the 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.860 garden 00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:07.160 of Eden 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.519 or Gethsemane. 00:17:10.300 --> 00:17:11.019 In number 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.540 six there's 00:17:11.540 --> 00:17:12.040 a blessing 00:17:12.040 --> 00:17:12.420 I'm sure 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:12.820 you know 00:17:12.820 --> 00:17:13.480 the Aaronic 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.120 blessing to 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:14.560 Aaron and 00:17:14.560 --> 00:17:15.240 his sons 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.240 where the 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.000 people of 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.920 God say 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.320 the Lord 00:17:18.320 --> 00:17:19.019 bless you 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.500 and keep 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:19.759 you. 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:20.500 The Lord 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:20.940 make his 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.640 face shine 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:21.980 on you 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.279 and be 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:22.640 gracious 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.180 to you. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:23.840 The Lord 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:24.320 turn his 00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:24.880 face toward 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.060 you and 00:17:26.060 --> 00:17:26.420 give you 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:26.900 peace. 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.040 There could 00:17:28.040 --> 00:17:28.340 be no 00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:28.660 greater 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.300 blessing. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.000 The Lord 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.580 turning his 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.380 face towards 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:32.680 you. 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.259 The Lord 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:33.860 shining his 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.640 glory upon 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:34.980 you. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.240 The Lord 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.920 granting you 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.519 grace and 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:37.960 peace. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.600 But here 00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:41.740 Jesus 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.880 experiences 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.680 the very 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.800 opposite. 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:47.080 The Lord 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:47.840 turning his 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:49.340 face away 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.000 from him. 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.200 The light 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.800 of God's 00:17:52.800 --> 00:17:53.460 countenance 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.940 being removed 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.759 from him. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.800 The judgment 00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:58.600 of God 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.220 falling 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.740 upon him. 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:03.180 Do we 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.680 begin to 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.840 grasp the 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:06.340 horror of 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:06.699 what is 00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:07.099 actually 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.699 happening 00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:08.879 here at 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:09.459 the cross? 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:11.539 Jesus, 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.339 the only 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:12.939 truly 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:13.659 righteous 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.599 person who 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.240 has ever 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.799 lived, 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.539 is forsaken 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.220 by God, 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.099 enduring the 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.819 darkness of 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.659 divine judgment 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:26.139 and experiencing 00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:27.099 the despair 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.879 of divine 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.500 absence. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:29.599 grace. 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.299 But Jesus 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:33.720 is not 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.519 only forsaken 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.759 by God, 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.180 he is 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.880 forsaken 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.480 for us. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.920 Jesus 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.519 wasn't the 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:42.900 one who 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.180 should have 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.740 experienced 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.339 the darkness 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.039 of divine 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.480 judgment. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.160 We should. 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:49.140 Jesus 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.779 wasn't the 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.220 one who 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.599 should be 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.119 forsaken 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:51.859 by God. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.359 We should. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.039 And it's 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.799 impossible to 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.299 make any 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.859 sense of 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.460 what Jesus 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.240 experiences 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.200 here at 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.860 the cross 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.880 unless we 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.779 understand that 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.360 Jesus was 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:02.779 not only 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.340 forsaken 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.680 by God, 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.259 but that 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.640 he was 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.240 forsaken 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:09.539 for us. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:11.900 You see, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.539 Jesus was 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.360 forsaken so 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:13.680 that he 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.220 might open 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.779 the way 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.900 into God's 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.860 presence. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.039 Those three 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.460 hours of 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.140 darkness were 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:20.559 not the 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.519 end of 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.079 the strange 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.200 events of 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.680 this day. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.019 Look at 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.759 verse 51. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.099 At that 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.599 moment, 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.460 that is the 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:27.839 moment of 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.119 Jesus' 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:28.779 death, 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.019 the curtain 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.400 of the 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:30.920 temple was 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.500 torn in 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:31.940 two from 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.839 top to 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.220 bottom. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:34.940 It was 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.299 the curtain 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.579 in the 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.019 temple that 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.579 divided the 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.339 holy place 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.359 from the 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.140 most holy 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.640 place. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.000 It was 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.379 the curtain 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.019 that separated 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.839 the area in 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.200 which the 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.960 priests worked 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.140 and the 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.839 area into 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.440 which not 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.859 even a 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.319 priest was 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:47.879 allowed to 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.400 set his 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.740 foot. 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.519 It was 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.039 the curtain 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.940 that separated 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.039 the sinful 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.460 people from 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.140 the presence 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.160 of a 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.819 holy God. 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:58.980 Apparently, 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.360 it was about 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.400 ten centimetres 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.860 thick. 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:01.840 It was as 00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:02.319 good as a 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.819 wall that 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.500 had a sign 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.140 placed on 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.039 it saying 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.680 in bold 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.200 letters, 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.680 no entry. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.380 But at 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:10.720 the very 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.279 moment that 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.039 Jesus dies, 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.600 the curtain 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.039 of the 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.740 temple was 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.380 torn in 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.259 two from 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.100 top to 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:16.480 bottom. 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:17.940 The fact 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.220 that it's 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.759 torn from 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.240 top to 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.000 bottom indicates 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.360 that this 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.100 wasn't something 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:21.680 that people 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.559 could do, 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.000 but it was 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.559 the action 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.120 of God. 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.579 And it 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.400 was completely 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.100 torn from 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:27.579 top to 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:27.900 bottom, 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.160 removing any 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.100 hindrance to 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.460 enter the 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.059 most holy 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.160 place. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.000 Now, 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.519 looking around, 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.140 I know some 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:37.519 of you are 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.220 old enough to 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.220 remember the 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.100 dramatic scenes 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.720 in November 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.480 1989 when 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.279 the Berlin Wall 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.819 was pulled 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.180 down. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.039 I won't 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.559 hazard to 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:45.920 guess that 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.319 any of you 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.840 remember when 00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.380 it was first 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.900 put up. 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.640 For 28 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.259 years, it 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.039 seemed like an 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.900 impenetrable 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.960 divide between 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.579 East and 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.340 West Germany. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.960 And if you 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.420 can remember 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.000 the news 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.340 at that 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.740 time, we 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.420 watched the 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.440 wall crumble 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:02.019 in ours. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.160 The wall 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.480 that had 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.400 separated people 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:05.840 from one 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:07.200 another simply 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.480 was removed 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:10.019 within ours. 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.079 The wall 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.860 that for so 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.319 long had 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:12.940 said no 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.660 entry all 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.220 of a sudden 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.100 had a hole 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.059 in it that 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.960 invited people 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.700 to come 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.519 through. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.519 in the 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:21.900 temple. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.220 Now in 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.779 just seconds, 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.379 the same 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.579 thing happens 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.440 in the 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.900 Jerusalem 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.539 temple. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.400 The curtain 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.119 that had 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.900 stood as a 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.519 barrier for 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.220 hundreds of 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.259 years was 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.379 torn in two 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.160 from top to 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.639 bottom and 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.220 the way was 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.539 opened into 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.319 the presence 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.480 of God. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:44.059 those who 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.380 once wouldn't 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.160 have dared 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.120 to enter the 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.700 presence of 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.140 God 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:50.059 could now do 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.799 so freely 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.980 because the 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.720 sin that kept 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.400 us out, 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.000 the sin that 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.720 meant we should 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.500 be forsaken 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.259 by God 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.839 had been 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.539 taken by 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:00.960 Jesus 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:03.000 and he 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.539 was forsaken 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:06.379 for us. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.839 He experienced 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.960 God's absence 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:12.539 so that you 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.240 and I 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.980 might be able 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.759 to enjoy 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.519 God's 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.920 presence. 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.519 But that's 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.000 not all. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.700 Jesus was 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.359 forsaken 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.519 so that he 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.519 might secure 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.599 eternal life 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.059 for his 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.460 people. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.099 If the 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.500 tearing of 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:28.920 the temple 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.539 curtain was 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:29.940 a dramatic 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.039 symbol of 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.359 the way 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:31.819 being opened 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.379 into God's 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:32.940 presence, 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:33.859 well it 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.279 seems like 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.519 it was 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:34.980 only the 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.480 warm-up 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:35.960 act for 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.500 what happens 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.039 next. 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.759 What happens 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.599 next is far 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.339 stranger than 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:40.940 darkness in 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.200 the middle 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.819 of the day 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.740 or an 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.500 impenetrable 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.259 barrier being 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:44.799 torn in 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.079 two. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.319 Dead 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:46.839 people 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:48.319 come to 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.720 life. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.180 Look at 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.940 verses 51 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.660 to 53. 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.639 At that 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.240 moment the 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:53.660 curtain of 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.079 the temple 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.579 was torn 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.039 in two 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.879 from top 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.440 to bottom. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.319 The earth 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.740 shook, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.559 the rocks 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:58.980 split, 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.619 and the 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.299 tombs broke 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.660 open. 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.420 The bodies 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.799 of many 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.599 holy people 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:02.980 who had 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.460 died were 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.000 raised to 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.340 life, 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.120 they came 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:05.440 out of 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:05.600 their 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.340 tombs after 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:06.680 Jesus' 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.420 resurrection, 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.259 and went 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.700 into the 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.220 holy city 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.740 and appeared 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.220 to many 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.079 people. 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:12.819 How 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.360 incredible 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:14.799 is that? 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.700 At the 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.220 moment that 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.279 Jesus dies, 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:18.819 the dead 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.380 bodies of 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:19.740 some of 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.039 God's 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.019 people were 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.579 brought back 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.200 to life, 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.420 just as 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.140 Lazarus had 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.519 been brought 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:24.980 back to 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.340 life, 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.420 except these 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:27.860 had probably 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:28.500 been dead 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:28.940 for much 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.000 longer than 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.400 the few 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:30.980 days that 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.700 Lazarus had 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.059 laying in 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.559 his tomb. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.640 It seemed 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:34.900 as though 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.200 they only 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.759 managed to 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.140 get out 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.420 of their 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.380 tombs and 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:37.740 make their 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.080 way to 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:38.779 Jerusalem in 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.120 time to 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:39.500 hear the 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:39.940 news that 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.519 Jesus had 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.299 risen from 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.779 the dead. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.799 They were 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.240 able to 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.680 say, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.819 we too 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.100 have been 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:46.559 brought back 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.100 to life. 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.580 It happened 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.059 when the 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.740 ground shook 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.240 a couple of 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.819 days ago. 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.420 What, 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:52.940 others must 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.460 have asked, 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.600 that was 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:55.779 when Jesus 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.640 died. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.259 This really 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.360 strange event 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.119 bears witness 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.599 to what 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.259 Jesus will 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.839 one day 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.279 do in 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.819 the future. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.459 He has 00:24:05.459 --> 00:24:05.939 secured 00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:06.939 eternal life 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.799 for all 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.079 of his 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.459 people, 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.240 and when 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.779 he comes 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.099 again, 00:24:10.219 --> 00:24:10.719 he will 00:24:10.719 --> 00:24:11.759 raise even 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.819 our dead 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.579 bodies from 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.599 the ground 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.439 to enjoy 00:24:15.439 --> 00:24:16.059 the life 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.379 we were 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:16.659 always 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.179 intended 00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:18.659 to enjoy. 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.359 These two 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:21.979 incredible 00:24:21.979 --> 00:24:22.559 events, 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.799 the turning 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.099 of the 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.439 curtain 00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.419 and the 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:25.879 raising of 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.259 the dead 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.979 to life, 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.240 demonstrate 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.079 that Jesus 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.699 has both 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.200 defeated 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.960 sin and 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.400 conquered 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.440 death. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.100 You see, 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.660 it is only 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:37.140 sin that 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.700 keeps us 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:37.980 from the 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.519 presence of 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:38.860 God. 00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.259 It is only 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.400 sin that 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.120 condemns us 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.860 to death. 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.000 But upon 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.660 the cross, 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.640 Jesus takes 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.200 the sin of 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.600 the world 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:49.140 upon himself. 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.779 As a result, 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.660 he is kept 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.080 from the 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.759 presence of 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.140 God. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.319 He is 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.720 condemned 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.360 to death. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.420 He is 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.900 forsaken 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.700 by God, 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.640 and he 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.620 is forsaken 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:02.160 for us. 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.240 And because 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.220 he was 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.920 forsaken, 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.200 we do 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.380 not have 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:10.799 to be. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.740 We can 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.180 know our 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.440 sins 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:13.960 forgiven. 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.160 We can 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.740 have access 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.180 to the 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:16.720 presence of 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.140 God. 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:17.840 We can 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.240 have the 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.680 certainty 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.240 of eternal 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.860 life. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:20.960 And we 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.460 can die 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.340 with confidence 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:22.740 that our 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.299 bodies will 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.759 not be 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.220 left in 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.799 the grave 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.339 because 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.059 Jesus took 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.680 our sins 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.200 to the 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.559 grave, 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.039 rose from 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.639 the dead, 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.879 ascended to 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.299 heaven, 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.940 from where 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.339 he will 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.019 come to 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.819 raise us 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.839 even from 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.339 the ground 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.779 to enjoy 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.419 the life 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:40.419 that he has 00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:41.079 purchased for 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.220 all who are 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.759 trusting in 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.039 him. 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.599 Let's pray 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.539 together. 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:53.859 Father, we 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.720 pray this 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.240 morning that 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.519 you might 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.279 help us to 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.819 grasp 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.519 something 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:59.460 of what 00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.859 Jesus 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.680 experienced 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.000 on the 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.440 cross. 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.420 And that 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.139 as we do, 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.920 we might 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.879 grasp 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:08.859 that that 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.359 is what 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:09.819 we have 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.619 been saved 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.659 from. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.279 Not because 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.759 of anything 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.440 in us, 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:18.039 but because 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.940 Jesus was 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.759 forsaken 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:21.380 for us. 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:23.440 Oh, 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:23.960 Father, may 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.820 that stir 00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.700 our hearts 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.559 with love 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.440 and gratitude 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.720 and thankfulness 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.600 towards you 00:26:29.600 --> 00:26:32.460 that reorient 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.519 us to 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:35.360 direct us 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.100 towards you 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.759 to want to 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.279 live a life 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.960 that pleases 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:39.400 and honours 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.980 you because 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.360 we are 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.279 confident that 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.759 our sins 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.380 are forgiven, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.140 that eternal 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:45.299 life is 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.859 secure, 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.019 and that 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.559 we too 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.139 in this 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.740 life can 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.339 enjoy 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:50.419 fellowship 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:50.899 with our 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.299 Father 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.960 in heaven. 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.480 We ask 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:55.899 this in the 00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:56.799 name of the 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.379 Lord Jesus. 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:58.839 Amen. 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.019 Amen.