WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.559 800 years before Jesus, the Hebrew prophet Amos spoke of a coming day of darkness and 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:26.420 gloom, a day when God would remove his merciful presence from his stubbornly rebellious people. 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:38.000 On that day, declares the Lord God, I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. 00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:48.120 I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will make it like the 00:00:48.119 --> 00:00:57.780 mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day. What has been your darkest hour, 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:09.659 your most bitter day? Have you ever looked out upon a world from which every sign of God's merciful 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:20.780 presence? Every glimmer of hope, every promise of justice, every expression of love seems to have 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:30.920 vanished. Maybe your faith in God has been shaken since coming to college. The simple trust in a 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:39.219 good and powerful God that you once had as a child has been chipped away, eroded by persistent, 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:44.780 unanswered questions that you can't figure out how to resolve and can't seem to get out of your head. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:53.280 Where God once seemed vivid and personal, now he seems abstract and distant. Where once the Bible 00:01:53.280 --> 00:02:00.260 was your food for daily living, now its stories seem fanciful and foreign to your daily experience. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:07.980 Other things seem far more real and compelling, like the conclusions of modern science or 00:02:07.980 --> 00:02:14.099 your prospects for summer internships or perhaps simply the parties going on this weekend. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:23.539 Maybe your faith has been shaken. Or maybe your hope in God has been weakened by prayers that seem to 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:31.459 have gone unanswered. Maybe you've prayed earnestly for a broken marriage to be restored, 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:38.959 or for a dying relative to be healed, or for a job prospect to finally come through, or for relief 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:46.540 from unrelenting stress, or for a companion in loneliness. But what you prayed for has not come to pass. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:58.360 Maybe your love for other people has been poisoned by the pain of betrayal, or rejection, or abandonment. 00:02:59.060 --> 00:03:06.680 And you feel like an empty shell, hollowed out, with nothing left to give. Maybe you've looked upon 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:16.260 the tragic horrors of this world and wondered, where is God? The Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, 00:03:17.200 --> 00:03:23.900 in his book Night, described the evening when he lost his faith. When alongside two grown men, 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:32.780 a young Jewish boy was publicly hanged on the gallows of the concentration camp. And every prisoner 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:41.159 was compelled to march past the gallows and to look. And he wrote of his experience that night. 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:51.240 He said, a voice behind me said, where is merciful God? Where is he? For God's sake, where is God? 00:03:52.099 --> 00:04:00.580 And from within me, I heard a voice answer, where is he? This is where, hanging here from this gallows. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:11.080 How do we respond when almost every sign of God's merciful presence, every bit of justice and beauty and love 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:19.280 seems to have vanished? When we feel not only hurt by other people, but forsaken by God himself. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:28.139 I think our natural response in situations like this is to become increasingly focused on ourselves. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:37.179 Perhaps we become angry and vengeful because we feel entitled to something that we're not getting. 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:46.119 We deserve respect. We haven't harmed others, or we deserve to be recognized for our efforts to help them. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:54.579 We deserve to be better paid for our hard work. We deserve a chance to prove ourselves instead of simply being rejected. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:03.480 Perhaps our anger manifests itself in complaining or gossiping or occasional bursts of rage. 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:10.300 Or maybe we just withdraw. We become resigned and cynical. 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:17.540 Part of our soul becomes hardened. Part of our soul becomes hardened. Our vision for the world becomes shrunk. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:20.920 We keep our distance from God. 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:27.280 Maybe we don't pray very much anymore because it seems that our prayers haven't been answered. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:34.480 Or maybe we distance ourselves. We separate ourselves from people who are needy and difficult to deal with. 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:43.759 From situations that call us to sacrifice and pour ourselves out because we don't want to make ourselves vulnerable and get hurt again. 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:47.780 Perhaps we take comfort in self-pity. 00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:56.259 Well, the passage we've read tonight in Mark 15 describes a dark and bitter day. 00:05:56.259 --> 00:06:05.379 It began early in the morning with Jesus put on trial before the political authorities, falsely accused by the religious leaders, 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:08.879 and sentenced to death without a just cause. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:13.779 It continued with him being physically beaten and tortured by the soldiers, 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:18.699 mocked by the crowd, stripped of his clothing, and hung on a shameful cross. 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:25.959 The night before, he had been betrayed, abandoned, and denied by his closest friends. 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:29.800 And at noontime, darkness fell over all the land, 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:36.240 as if the God who had spoken light into the darkness at the beginning of creation, 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:38.519 who had brought order into the chaos, 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:42.779 had withdrawn his presence in an act of divine judgment, 00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:46.039 as the prophet Amos had threatened. 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:48.879 And Jesus cried out, 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.879 My God, my God, 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:54.360 why have you forsaken me? 00:06:55.939 --> 00:07:00.360 You see, everything had been stripped away from Jesus. 00:07:00.900 --> 00:07:04.160 Every physical provision, every social support, 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:05.860 every emotional comfort, 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.080 and finally every tangible sign 00:07:09.080 --> 00:07:13.620 of God the Father's merciful presence. 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:18.899 The presence and fellowship that he had known from all eternity as the Son of God 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:22.160 was removed. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:24.379 Jesus cried out, 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:27.240 and there was no response. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:30.180 There was no encouraging word, 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:32.620 no confirming sign, 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:33.860 no divine intervention. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:38.920 He was bruised and crushed, 00:07:40.280 --> 00:07:43.220 bearing the weight of human rebellion against God. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:49.040 And of God's righteous indignation against our rebellion. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:51.959 But in his deepest darkness, 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:54.360 in his most bitter agony, 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:58.819 Jesus did what none of us would or could have done. 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:03.360 He did not turn inward in self-pity. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:07.040 He did not collapse in despair. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:11.220 He did not burst out in vengeful anger. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.400 He persevered 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:15.780 in complete trust 00:08:15.780 --> 00:08:18.060 and obedience to God. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:21.439 And he extended unfailing love 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:25.000 even toward his enemies. 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:27.720 He cried out 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:30.200 in the words of Psalm 22, 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:30.959 My God, 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:31.560 My God, 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:31.659 My God, 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.980 Why have you forsaken me? 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.779 On the surface, 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:40.340 it might sound like an accusation 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:41.639 against God. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:45.080 And certainly it was an honest cry 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:47.659 of one from whom all 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:49.299 conscious awareness 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.059 of God's love 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:51.980 and favor 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:53.679 was removed 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:55.299 as he bore 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:56.399 the awful punishment 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:59.079 for human rebellion. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.379 But his cry 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.179 was also 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.139 an expression of trust 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:05.339 in God. 00:09:06.099 --> 00:09:06.759 He says, 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:08.199 My God, 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:10.019 My God. 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:12.139 He claims the God 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:13.059 of Psalm 22 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:15.639 as his God. 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:17.579 Psalm 22 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:18.839 is written 900 years 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:19.839 before Jesus 00:09:19.839 --> 00:09:21.839 by King David. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:23.320 It's a song 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:24.120 about a righteous 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.259 sufferer, 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:26.840 one who endures 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:28.460 excruciating torment, 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:30.320 but who continues 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:32.519 to rely on God 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.379 through it. 00:09:34.680 --> 00:09:35.480 I encourage you 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.080 to read Psalm 22. 00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:38.060 If you want to turn there, 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.440 it's page 457. 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.700 Because it's striking 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:43.060 how a psalm, 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:44.420 a poem, 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:44.940 a prayer 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:46.259 written hundreds 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:46.780 of years 00:09:46.780 --> 00:09:47.920 before Jesus 00:09:47.920 --> 00:09:50.120 describes Jesus' 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.500 specific sufferings 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:53.059 so well. 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:55.580 Let me read 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.279 just a few verses. 00:09:58.179 --> 00:09:59.080 Psalm 22, 00:09:59.200 --> 00:09:59.720 verse 7. 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.240 All who see me 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.159 mock me. 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:05.179 They make mouths 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:05.519 at me. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.340 They wag their heads. 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:08.480 He trusts in the Lord. 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.259 Let him deliver him. 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.080 Let him rescue him, 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:13.200 for he delights in him. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.200 Verse 14. 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:18.220 I am poured out 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:19.179 like water, 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:21.059 and all my bones 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:21.859 are out of joint. 00:10:22.859 --> 00:10:23.539 My strength 00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:24.299 is dried up 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:25.859 like a potsherd, 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:27.539 and my mouth, 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:28.739 my tongue sticks 00:10:28.739 --> 00:10:29.299 to the roof 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:30.199 of my mouth. 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:30.879 You lay me 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.379 in the dust of death. 00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:35.139 A company of evildoers 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:35.859 encircles me. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.159 They have pierced 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.059 my hands and feet. 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:38.799 I can count 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:40.159 all my bones. 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:41.399 They stare 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.659 and gloat over me. 00:10:42.739 --> 00:10:43.779 They divide my garments 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:44.319 among them, 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:45.879 and for my clothing 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.580 they cast lots. 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.780 What an exact description 00:10:51.780 --> 00:10:53.780 of Jesus' sufferings. 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:55.180 But in the midst 00:10:55.180 --> 00:10:55.860 of his torment, 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:56.400 the psalm 00:10:56.400 --> 00:10:58.200 also expresses trust 00:10:58.200 --> 00:11:00.260 and complete reliance 00:11:00.260 --> 00:11:01.200 on God. 00:11:02.760 --> 00:11:03.560 Verse 3, 00:11:03.660 --> 00:11:04.300 or verse 2, 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:05.580 says, 00:11:05.660 --> 00:11:06.180 Oh my God, 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:07.320 I cry out by day, 00:11:07.400 --> 00:11:08.360 but you do not answer, 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.100 and by night, 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.660 but I find no rest, 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:11.340 yet 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.960 you are holy. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:14.820 enthroned upon 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:16.040 the praises of Israel. 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.340 In you, 00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:18.379 our fathers trusted, 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.060 they trusted, 00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:20.200 and you delivered them. 00:11:23.400 --> 00:11:24.160 Further down, 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:24.740 verse 9, 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:25.519 you made me 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.740 trust in you, 00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:28.980 even at my mother's breast. 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:31.379 Verse 19, 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:31.980 Oh Lord, 00:11:32.780 --> 00:11:34.060 do not be far off. 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.500 Oh you, 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.160 my help, 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:36.480 come quickly 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.820 to my aid. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:41.280 Jesus cried out to God 00:11:41.280 --> 00:11:41.780 in the words 00:11:41.780 --> 00:11:42.519 of this psalm, 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:45.300 in utter agony, 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:47.879 and in complete trust. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:51.519 You see, 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:53.720 unlike the rest of us, 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.820 when we endure 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.720 such bitter agony, 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:57.639 Jesus was not 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:59.120 consumed by himself. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.680 He was not focused 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.500 on how terrible 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:05.000 his circumstances were. 00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:07.040 Even while he hung 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:07.540 on the cross, 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.500 he extended himself 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.139 to others 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.519 in love. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:15.240 from the gospel 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:15.639 of Luke, 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:16.159 we learn that 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:16.939 Jesus looked upon 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:18.199 those who crucified him 00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:19.319 and said, 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:19.699 Father, 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.240 forgive them, 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:23.139 for they know not 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.179 what they do. 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.259 And from the gospel 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:26.679 of John, 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.120 we learn that 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.939 Jesus looked upon 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.840 his mother, 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:31.519 about to be bereaved, 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.519 standing nearby, 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.600 along with John, 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.480 the only one 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.259 of his male disciples 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.519 who remained. 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:41.540 And he spoke to her 00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:44.259 and provided a home 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.759 for her, 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:45.800 saying, 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.060 Woman, 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.060 behold your son, 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:47.420 son, 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.800 behold your mother. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:52.019 Jesus looked out 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.319 upon a world 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:55.719 from which every trace 00:12:55.719 --> 00:12:58.159 of God's merciful presence 00:12:58.159 --> 00:13:00.039 seemed to have vanished. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.399 And he persevered 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.419 to the end 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:05.679 in perfect obedience 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:06.339 to God 00:13:06.339 --> 00:13:08.199 and in unfailing love 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.339 for us. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.000 In this book, 00:13:13.079 --> 00:13:14.000 The Screwtape Letters, 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.019 C.S. Lewis wrote 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.240 that the kingdom 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:18.960 of darkness 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.779 and evil 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.579 is never 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.659 in greater danger 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:25.159 than when a human being, 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.439 no longer feeling 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:28.259 any desire, 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:30.679 but still utterly 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:31.319 committed 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:33.000 to do God's will, 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:34.980 looks out 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:35.579 on a world 00:13:35.579 --> 00:13:37.179 from which every trace 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:37.740 of him 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.799 has vanished, 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:40.600 asks why 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.639 he has been forsaken, 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:42.879 but still 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.259 obeys. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.059 He said, 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:47.079 this obedience, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.579 trustful obedience, 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:49.659 is the supreme 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.739 canceling 00:13:50.739 --> 00:13:52.519 of Adam's fall, 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:54.639 the movement 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:56.019 by which we retrace 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:57.659 our long journey 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.139 away 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.399 from paradise. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:01.699 It is the untying 00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:03.279 of the old hard knot 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.739 of distrust 00:14:04.739 --> 00:14:06.079 and disobedience 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.459 and divine judgment 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:09.659 in which the human race 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.119 is bound up. 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.639 The point is this, 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:15.980 Jesus' faithful 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:17.120 obedience to God 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:19.080 and his unfailing 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:19.939 love for us 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:20.960 on the darkest 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.799 day 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:23.500 of human history 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.620 won 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.480 for us 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.620 salvation, 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.419 deliverance, 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.279 hope, 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.399 life. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:33.419 Jesus began 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:33.919 by quoting 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.500 the first 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.259 verse 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.779 of Psalm 22, 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:37.480 my God, 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.240 my God, 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.860 why have you 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.600 forsaken me? 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:43.620 But the psalm 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.220 doesn't end 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.720 there. 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:47.019 The psalm 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.000 begins with a cry 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.899 of abandonment, 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.600 but it ends 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.600 with a cry 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.879 of victory. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.120 Verse 24 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.839 of the psalm 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:58.620 is a turning point. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.079 It says, 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:00.699 God has not 00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:01.500 despised 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.120 or abhorred 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.179 the affliction 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:06.159 of the afflicted. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.739 He has not 00:15:07.739 --> 00:15:08.719 hidden his face 00:15:08.719 --> 00:15:09.399 from him, 00:15:09.599 --> 00:15:10.539 but has heard 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.899 when he cried 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.299 to him. 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.079 All the ends 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:14.459 of the earth 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:15.059 shall remember 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:15.519 and turn 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.139 to the Lord. 00:15:17.859 --> 00:15:18.579 Verse 30 00:15:18.579 --> 00:15:19.099 and 31, 00:15:19.239 --> 00:15:19.739 the concluding 00:15:19.739 --> 00:15:20.299 verses say, 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.099 they shall come 00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:22.279 and proclaim 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.500 his righteousness 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.959 to a people 00:15:24.959 --> 00:15:26.359 yet unborn, 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.039 that he 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:29.379 has 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.620 done it. 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:33.399 Jesus began 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:33.860 by quoting 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.440 the first 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.799 verse of the psalm. 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:37.539 My God, 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.019 my God, 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:38.620 why have you 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.179 forsaken me? 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:39.919 But he concluded 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:41.379 by alluding 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.899 to the final 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.659 verse. 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.240 He has done it. 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.200 It is 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:47.940 finished. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.259 Mark doesn't 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.259 record these words, 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.060 but the Gospel 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.600 of John 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.720 does. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:56.779 Jesus' 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:58.039 last words, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.100 his last cry, 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.960 it is finished. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.220 In other words, 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.060 the righteous 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:04.040 sufferer 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:05.220 has remained 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.000 faithful all 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.440 the way to 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.019 the end. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:08.940 Without 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:09.759 wavering, 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.159 without 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:11.159 turning away, 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.700 he has 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.100 delivered 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.680 the perfect 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.740 sacrifice 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.800 of pure 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.580 trusting 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.279 obedience 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:18.779 to God 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.279 the Father. 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.000 He has 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.480 accomplished 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:20.879 the work 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.440 that he came 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:21.720 to do 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.220 to offer 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:22.779 himself 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.960 on behalf 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:25.180 of us 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:26.440 who have 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.019 turned away. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:28.980 And his 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.340 work 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.740 is complete. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.500 He has 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:32.920 done it. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.040 It is 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:34.440 finished. 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:35.899 It's a 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.420 triumphant 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:36.920 cry, 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:38.540 a cry 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:39.120 of victory. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.240 As I said, 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:43.759 Mark doesn't 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.280 record the 00:16:44.280 --> 00:16:44.740 words, 00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:46.280 but he does 00:16:46.280 --> 00:16:47.220 record the 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:47.580 tone. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.060 Verse 37 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:51.139 of Mark 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.240 15 says, 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.019 Jesus uttered 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:53.620 a loud 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.160 cry 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.740 cry and 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.139 breathes 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.779 his last. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.019 Now that 00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.259 would have 00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.539 been 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.839 extremely 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.419 unusual 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:03.279 for a 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:03.679 crucified 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.819 man 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.799 to die 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.920 with a 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.200 shout. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.220 And the 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.440 Roman 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.200 centurion, 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.279 who is the 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.720 military 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.399 officer, 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.500 the policeman 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.759 responsible for 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.559 supervising the 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.059 execution, 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:22.539 he noticed 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:22.779 it. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.500 Verse 39 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.059 says, 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.379 the centurion 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.179 saw that in 00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:28.740 this way he 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.399 breathed his 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:29.919 last. 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:31.819 And he 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.019 said, 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.639 truly this 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:34.839 was the 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:35.139 son of 00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.440 God. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.059 You see, 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:38.519 the Roman 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.419 centurion knew 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:40.440 how a 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.379 crucified man 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:42.359 would usually 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:44.359 die by 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:44.919 suffocating. 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:46.480 because he 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.420 couldn't hold 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.259 himself up 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.740 long enough 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.800 to breathe, 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.700 being nailed 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.019 to the 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.460 cross. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.800 He would 00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:56.380 often drift 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:56.940 in and out 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.580 of consciousness 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.800 for even 00:17:58.800 --> 00:17:59.300 one or two 00:17:59.300 --> 00:17:59.800 days, 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.120 barely able 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:02.300 to utter 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:03.160 an intelligible 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.860 syllable 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:05.360 until he 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:05.940 would gradually 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.019 suffocate. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.060 But Jesus 00:18:10.060 --> 00:18:10.680 was different. 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.480 The way 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.779 that he 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.279 died 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.279 was utterly 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.820 different 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.799 from anyone 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.279 else that 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.759 centurion 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.240 had ever 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.679 seen. 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.279 Jesus 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.919 looked out 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.379 upon a 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:23.759 world 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:25.379 from which 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.159 every trace 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:27.359 of God's 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.099 merciful presence 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:28.679 had vanished. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.159 He bore 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:30.579 on his 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.179 shoulders the 00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.619 weight of 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.319 our rebellion 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.139 against God 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:33.859 and the 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.359 judgment we 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:34.919 deserved. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:35.939 And he 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:36.639 persevered 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.960 in trusting 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.119 obedience to 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.240 God and 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.859 in unfailing 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.279 love for 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.859 us until 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.639 in his 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.339 last breath 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:44.859 he could 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.199 say, 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.179 it is 00:18:46.179 --> 00:18:46.519 done. 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.980 It is 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.399 finished. 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:49.939 Truly, 00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:52.000 this man 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.179 was the 00:18:54.179 --> 00:18:55.259 son of 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.639 God. 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:57.679 Let us 00:18:57.679 --> 00:18:57.919 pray. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:11.880 God 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:15.200 I invite you 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.560 to pray 00:19:15.560 --> 00:19:16.100 with me in 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.700 response to 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.320 three words 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:17.860 of scripture. 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.420 First, 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.300 for God 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:24.580 so loved 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.279 the world 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.799 that he 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.899 gave his 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:28.379 one and 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.019 only son 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.940 so that 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.339 whoever 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:33.920 believes in 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.480 him will 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.200 not perish 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.440 but have 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.240 eternal life. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.740 Lord Jesus, 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.839 as we look 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:44.379 upon the 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.579 cross where 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.139 you died, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.799 may we 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.039 believe 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:51.319 in you 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.299 the son 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:53.799 of God 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:55.619 and receive 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.659 this life 00:19:57.659 --> 00:19:58.379 that you 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:58.960 have promised. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.319 God 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.879 shows his 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.339 love for 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:05.059 us in 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.440 that while 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:05.759 we were 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.599 still sinners, 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.759 Christ 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.299 died 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.539 for 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.500 us. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.500 Lord 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.859 Jesus, 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.180 may we 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.639 rest 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.980 in the 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.759 completeness 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:19.059 of your 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.559 sacrifice 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.579 for us. 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.819 May we 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.279 see in 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:23.900 your death 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:25.279 the most 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.759 convincing 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.460 proof 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:29.039 of your 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.839 love 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.339 for 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.019 us. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.740 Let us 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.519 run with 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.079 endurance 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.940 the race 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.879 set before 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.319 us, 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.839 looking 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.400 to Jesus, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.160 the founder 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.960 and perfecter 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.600 of faith, 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:51.200 who for 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.759 the joy 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.920 set before 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.279 him 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.560 endured 00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:55.220 the cross, 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:56.920 despising 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.440 the shame, 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:58.759 and is 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.220 seated at 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.580 the right 00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:00.560 hand of 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:00.900 the throne 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.400 of God. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.759 Consider 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.200 him 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.740 so that 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.779 you may 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.300 not grow 00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:06.660 weary 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:08.540 or 00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:09.100 faint-hearted. 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.740 Grant 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.100 us, 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:16.940 O Lord, 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.880 in Christ 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.519 the 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.000 endurance 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.380 that we 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:20.700 do not 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.100 have 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.019 within 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.580 ourselves, 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:25.000 that even 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.200 in our 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:26.540 darkest 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:26.960 hour 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.700 and our 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.140 most bitter 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.660 days, 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:32.080 that we 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:32.460 may look 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:32.860 to you 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:34.440 and not 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:34.980 grow weary 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.900 or lose 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.240 heart. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.740 May we 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.080 know 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:39.640 that you 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.000 have gone 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.800 before us 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:44.000 through a 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.220 greater 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.779 darkness, 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:46.740 through a 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.180 far more 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.740 bitter day. 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.299 And may we 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.799 look forward 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.500 to the joy 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.980 that you 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.399 have won 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.059 for us, 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.539 that you 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.740 have promised 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.180 us. 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.619 We pray 00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.019 all these 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.259 things in 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.839 Jesus' name. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:06.660 Amen. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:11.600 word 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.640 ? 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.440 What? 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.620 What?