WEBVTT

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 Well, please turn up Luke 23.

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 If you've closed your Bibles, Luke 23, 8, 8, 8, 3 in the Black Church.

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 in the Black Church Bibles.

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 And as it was read for us,

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 the sense of injustice and suffering

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 are two of the things that really stick out.

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 It starts with Pilate in verse 4.

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 I find no guilt in this man.

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 And it finishes with Centurion, verse 47.

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 Certainly this man was innocent.

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 And yet, between those two, he is beaten,

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 he's mocked, he's flogged, and he's murdered.

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 You can imagine the Newsnight segment.

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 They've managed to get his mother in.

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 She was there and they interview her.

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 Mary, thanks so much for joining us this evening.

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 Tell us, what happened on that night in question?

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 My son was brought by church leaders to the governor

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 who had the power to kill him.

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 Right, okay, and how did you feel?

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 It was terrifying.

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 Yes, go on, give us a bit more.

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 Well, the governor listened to their charges

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 and he threw them out straight away.

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 He said he was innocent.

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 That wasn't the end of it, was it?

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 No, the governor then turned my son over

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 to another jurisdiction

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 because he didn't actually come from the city

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 that they were in.

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 And what happened then?

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 Well, it's the same thing.

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 Innocent.

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 No charges.

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 So tell us, why did that not mean

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 that he was free to go?

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 Well, the religious guys got a crowd together

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 and they protested the government buildings

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 and they kept shouting,

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 I can hardly say it now,

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 crucify him, crucify him,

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 and they wouldn't stop.

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 They just kept going.

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 And the authorities in the end gave up

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 and gave in to the mob.

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 He's an innocent victim.

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 It is gross injustice.

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 If it was today, it would be in every paper.

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 Social media would light up.

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 No doubt there would be protests

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 all over the place.

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 And yet, look at verse 28.

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 The one at the center of it all

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 says, do not weep for me.

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 Don't weep for me.

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 Why not?

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 This is terrible suffering,

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 terrible injustice.

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 Why would we not make a huge fuss?

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 Write to our MPs.

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 Make sure that there's an inquiry.

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 Make someone pay for this.

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 Well, because actually,

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 when we look again,

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 we realize there's something bigger going on

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 in the midst of all of this chaos

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 on that first Good Friday.

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 Once the sentence is passed,

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 as he is led to the cross,

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 Luke records Jesus speaking four times.

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 There are lots of voices.

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 When you read this account,

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 it feels noisy.

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 It feels chaotic.

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 It feels like people are going here and there.

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 It feels like there are groups of people

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 that are trying to hatch plans over here

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 and push them off over there.

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 It feels like there's just a huge amount going on.

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 It feels noisy.

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 And yet,

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 on four occasions,

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 there is one voice that punctuates this melee.

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 And it is really the one voice

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 that matters in the whole story

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 because it reframes,

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 this voice reframes all that is happening.

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 So this morning for a few minutes,

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 let's listen in.

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 Here's the first word.

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 It is a word of assurance.

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 Verse 28.

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 Daughters of Jerusalem,

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 do not weep for me,

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 but weep for yourselves

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 and for your children.

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 For behold,

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 the days are coming

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 when they will say,

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 Blessed are the barren

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 and the wombs that never bore

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 and the breasts that never nursed.

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 Then they will begin to say to the mountains,

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 Fall on us

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 and to the hills,

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 cover us.

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 Jesus is warning

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 about coming judgment

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 for all that's going on here

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 and

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 what it will feel like

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 at the time.

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 People will say,

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 I want the mountain to fall on me.

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 That would be better than my experience here.

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 He's saying that those who are rejecting him,

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 the religious establishment,

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 those who are treating him in this way

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 are going to be a whole lot worse off

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 when the consequences of all of this

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 come back on them.

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 But the disciples shouldn't weep for him

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 because none of this surprises Jesus.

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 None of this is outside the plan.

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 All that is happening,

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 all that is going on

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 and these terrible events

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 has been on Jesus' mind

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 throughout his ministry.

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 It was crystallized back in Luke 9, 51

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 when he set his face for Jerusalem,

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 when he set his face to this moment.

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 He knew what awaited him there.

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 In fact, there are several places

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 where we get a glimpse in this narrative.

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 There are several places

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 where we get a glimpse

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 of just how far back

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 the plan actually stretches.

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 So when it says that he doesn't speak

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 in verse 9,

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 he's silent,

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 that is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53, 7 and 8.

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 The mention of the criminals alongside him

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 in verse 32

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 is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53, verse 12.

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 These events have been foretold

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 by God centuries before,

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 and here they are taking place.

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 Jesus came to this moment

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 for this injustice

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 and to embrace this plan of suffering.

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 It is all according to his design.

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 And that gives us confidence.

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 It reassures us.

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 Not just that we go away thinking,

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 ah, okay, good,

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 the Bible story,

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 I can see it all hangs together.

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 And not just,

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 well, I'm glad that the cross

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 wasn't just a terrible accident

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 in an out-of-control world.

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 But that when we see God's hand

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 in the innocent and unjust suffering

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 of Jesus,

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 it sheds light

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 on our own experiences

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 of suffering and injustice.

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 You see, what we have here,

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 what we have on Good Friday

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 in the punishment and death of Jesus

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 is the greatest act of evil

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 and suffering

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 the world has ever known.

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 Because of the infinite value

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 of the one who suffers,

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 but as we come to see

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 that what the religious leaders

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 and Pilate and Herod

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 and the soldiers meant for evil,

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 those very same actions

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 God meant for good,

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 namely the salvation

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 of billions of people,

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 look at verse 45,

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 the curtain is torn down,

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 the barrier between God

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 and humanity is removed.

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 When we come to see

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 that all of this,

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 the purpose of God

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 is being worked out,

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 it can reframe

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 and provide assurance

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 in our own suffering.

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 When you suffer,

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 it can really easily feel unfair

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 and meaningless,

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 and you can doubt

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 the goodness of God.

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 But if in His infinite wisdom,

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 God intended the greatest act

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 of evil and suffering

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 there has ever been for good,

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 He can then,

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 in principle,

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 use your lesser instance

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 of suffering for good as well.

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 Now it might not feel like that

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 at the time

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 when the darkness won't lift,

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 when the pain won't leave,

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 when the hurt seems to continue.

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 But if you bring your pain,

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 if you bring your suffering,

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 the injustice that you experience

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 to the cross of Christ,

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 that is,

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 if you stop in Good Friday,

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 don't rush past it

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 to Easter Sunday,

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 but stop in the suffering

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 and the injustice

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 and the darkness

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 and think deeply

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 about what is going on

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 as you look at the cross,

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 it will give you

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 the perspective

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 that you need

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 in your circumstances

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 to trust Him

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 and to endure.

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 Some of you know

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 suffering much better

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 than you'd like to.

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 Many of you know

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 suffering much better

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 than you'd like to.

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 We'll go again

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 to the cross.

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 Look at what is going on there.

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 Meditate deeply on that

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 and be assured

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 that your suffering

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 is not for nothing.

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 Well, Jesus speaks first

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 a word of assurance,

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 but He doesn't just speak

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 to the suffering.

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 If we keep listening,

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 we hear Him secondly

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 speak a word of mercy.

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 Number two,

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 mercy.

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 Verse 34,

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 Father,

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 forgive them

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 for they know not

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 what they do.

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 That is a prayer

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 for God to have mercy.

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 But the question

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 we have to ask is

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 who are the they

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 that Jesus has

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 in view here?

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 Father,

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 forgive them

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 for they know not

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 what they do.

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 Verse 32,

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 just go up a couple

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 of verses.

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 Two others

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 who were criminals

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 were led away

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 to be put to death

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 by Him.

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 And when they,

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 that is the soldiers,

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 came to the place

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 that is called,

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 sorry,

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 they were led away

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 to death with Him,

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 not by Him.

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 And when they,

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 that is the soldiers,

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 came to the place

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 that is called the skull,

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 they,

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 the soldiers,

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 crucified Him.

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 And the criminals,

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 one on His right

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 and one on His left.

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 And Jesus said,

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 Father,

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 forgive them

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 for they

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 know not

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 what they do.

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 And they,

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 the soldiers,

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 cast lots

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 to divide His garments

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 and the people

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 stood by watching

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 but the rulers

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 scoffed at Him

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 saying,

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 He saved others,

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 let Him save Himself

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 if He is the Christ of God,

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 His chosen one.

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 Who are the they

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 that Jesus is praying for?

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 Definitely the soldiers.

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 This is an astonishing thing

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 as they hammer the nails

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 through the tendons

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 and the nerves

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 and the bone

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 in His hands and feet.

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 He's saying,

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 Father,

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 forgive them.

00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:05.320
 It's astonishing mercy.

00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.240
 But it isn't clear

00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:09.460
 that it's only the soldiers

00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:10.399
 that are in view here.

00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.680
 It seems more open-ended.

00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:13.399
 C.H. Spurgeon said

00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:15.480
 he loved the indistinctness

00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:16.700
 of this prayer.

00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.340
 And I think we're supposed

00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:19.680
 to see this spirit of mercy

00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:20.259
 is extended

00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:21.440
 to everybody present.

00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.480
 The rulers

00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:24.800
 who are mentioned here,

00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:25.500
 Father,

00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:26.340
 they don't know

00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.000
 what they're doing.

00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:28.240
 Please forgive them

00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.480
 for their dreadful treason.

00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.940
 The criminals on either side,

00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:33.320
 the crowd who look on,

00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:34.360
 they're all mentioned

00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.460
 in this little section.

00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.279
 He's saying,

00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:38.080
 Father, forgive.

00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.779
 One scholar says this,

00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.519
 So the Savior prayed

00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.159
 for the priests

00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:43.159
 as well as the soldiers.

00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:44.899
 But in praying

00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:45.659
 for these Jews

00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.519
 and Gentiles,

00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.340
 Jesus was showing

00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:47.940
 on the cross

00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:48.960
 how He prays

00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:49.960
 for us all.

00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.700
 Even if He were

00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:52.440
 only praying

00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:53.679
 exclusively for the people

00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:55.500
 who actually crucified Him,

00:10:55.739 --> 00:10:56.699
 it would still give us

00:10:56.699 --> 00:10:57.859
 hope for our own forgiveness

00:10:57.859 --> 00:10:58.939
 because here we see

00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:00.500
 the heart of the mercy

00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.659
 of God.

00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.759
 The open-ended nature

00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.299
 of the prayer

00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.339
 is supposed to draw us

00:11:07.339 --> 00:11:07.819
 all in.

00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:09.359
 You see,

00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:10.319
 although we weren't

00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:11.299
 physically present

00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.399
 on that day,

00:11:12.939 --> 00:11:14.079
 it is our sin

00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:15.139
 that put Jesus

00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:15.759
 on the cross.

00:11:15.859 --> 00:11:16.719
 One author speaks

00:11:16.719 --> 00:11:18.299
 about us carrying

00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:19.379
 His nails around

00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.179
 in our pockets.

00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:22.759
 He's not there

00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.559
 for His own sin.

00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:24.219
 We know that.

00:11:25.199 --> 00:11:26.319
 He's there for your sin

00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:26.939
 and for mine.

00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:28.979
 Now, we don't like

00:11:28.979 --> 00:11:29.779
 to think of ourselves

00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.399
 in that way.

00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.339
 We don't like to think

00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:32.439
 when we're forced

00:11:32.439 --> 00:11:33.159
 to confront

00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:34.479
 the reality of our sin

00:11:34.479 --> 00:11:35.039
 as we see it

00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:35.659
 on the cross.

00:11:36.579 --> 00:11:37.319
 And it is true

00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.679
 that I suspect

00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:40.019
 not many of us

00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.719
 have perpetrated

00:11:40.719 --> 00:11:41.559
 innocent suffering

00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:42.179
 and injustice.

00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:44.179
 But our nature,

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:46.419
 our nature

00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.859
 is to turn our back

00:11:47.859 --> 00:11:48.799
 on God

00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.559
 and His world.

00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:50.479
 That is the essence

00:11:50.479 --> 00:11:51.059
 of sin.

00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:52.959
 And so,

00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:53.959
 the wonder of Jesus'

00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.699
 prayer here

00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:55.259
 is that this

00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.559
 indistinctness,

00:11:57.299 --> 00:11:58.019
 as Spurgeon says,

00:11:58.119 --> 00:11:58.939
 invites everyone

00:11:58.939 --> 00:12:00.279
 who hears these words

00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.519
 to receive

00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.779
 that forgiveness.

00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.479
 That is the

00:12:04.479 --> 00:12:05.579
 Good Friday appeal.

00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:06.799
 Come to Jesus

00:12:06.799 --> 00:12:07.519
 for mercy

00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.159
 and forgiveness.

00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.739
 Come and find rest

00:12:09.739 --> 00:12:10.559
 for your soul.

00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.599
 Come and find

00:12:11.599 --> 00:12:12.259
 a restoration

00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.119
 to the God

00:12:13.119 --> 00:12:13.799
 you were created

00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.500
 to serve

00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.639
 and enjoy.

00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.459
 Listen to Spurgeon

00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:17.799
 again,

00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.599
 plead with you.

00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.800
 Here he is.

00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.860
 Now into that

00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.000
 pronoun them,

00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.120
 I feel I can crawl.

00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:26.379
 Can you get in there?

00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.740
 Oh, by humble faith,

00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:29.879
 appropriate the cross

00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.340
 of Christ

00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.460
 by trusting in it

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.820
 and get into

00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:34.279
 that little big word

00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:34.740
 them.

00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:38.139
 That's what it means

00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.379
 to be a Christian.

00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:41.420
 To hear that promise

00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:42.480
 of mercy from Jesus

00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.680
 and come to faith

00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:44.600
 in Him.

00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:45.899
 Put your faith

00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.740
 in Him.

00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:47.639
 In fact,

00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:48.340
 it even happened

00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:49.139
 that same day

00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.980
 as one of the criminals

00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:52.059
 crucified beside Him

00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:53.000
 trusted in Jesus.

00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:53.779
 One of them

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.559
 railed against Him.

00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.120
 You saw that.

00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.220
 If you're the Christ,

00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.360
 save yourself.

00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.059
 Of course,

00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:01.100
 in order to save others,

00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.699
 He couldn't save Himself.

00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.360
 But the other criminal,

00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.399
 He shut Him up.

00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:05.939
 Verse 40,

00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.340
 do you see?

00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.919
 Do you not fear God?

00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.399
 Don't talk like that.

00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:11.639
 We're the guilty ones here.

00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:12.559
 We're here

00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.099
 and we deserve to be here

00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:14.839
 for what we've done,

00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:15.679
 but He's innocent.

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:16.859
 And then,

00:13:16.939 --> 00:13:17.559
 verse 42,

00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:19.199
 He cries out,

00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.559
 Jesus,

00:13:19.739 --> 00:13:20.519
 remember me

00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.059
 when you come

00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.719
 into your kingdom.

00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:25.839
 It's said that

00:13:25.839 --> 00:13:26.439
 true wisdom

00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.159
 consists

00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.399
 in two parts,

00:13:29.059 --> 00:13:29.939
 knowledge of God

00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:31.000
 and knowledge

00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.759
 of ourselves.

00:13:33.219 --> 00:13:34.159
 And it is obvious

00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.659
 that therefore

00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.819
 this is a wise man.

00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.319
 He sees Jesus

00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.900
 and He sees Himself

00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:42.120
 clearly.

00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:44.140
 And when you see

00:13:44.140 --> 00:13:45.000
 Jesus clearly

00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.720
 and when you see

00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.520
 yourself clearly,

00:13:47.640 --> 00:13:48.480
 when you see Jesus

00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.240
 as your Savior

00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:50.160
 and yourself

00:13:50.160 --> 00:13:50.740
 as a sinner

00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.480
 with no hope

00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.200
 apart from Him,

00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.379
 you do what He did.

00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:55.820
 You turn

00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:56.440
 and you plead

00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:58.020
 and you find forgiveness.

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.800
 Here is Christ's enemies

00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:01.680
 putting their faith

00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:02.400
 in Him.

00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.600
 Here is Jesus' prayer

00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.480
 for mercy

00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.340
 being answered

00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.380
 and God has been

00:14:06.380 --> 00:14:06.920
 answering it

00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:07.780
 across continents

00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:08.440
 and nations

00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:09.100
 ever since.

00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:10.400
 We can see that

00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:11.020
 here this morning.

00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:11.660
 Look around

00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:12.240
 and see

00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.300
 the diversity,

00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.760
 the backgrounds,

00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:18.000
 the ethnicities

00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.800
 being brought in

00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:21.260
 under the mercy

00:14:21.260 --> 00:14:22.440
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:24.060
 Jesus brings mercy

00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:25.080
 for you.

00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.000
 But that's not all.

00:14:31.020 --> 00:14:31.560
 We go back,

00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.280
 we listen again.

00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:32.920
 This time,

00:14:33.020 --> 00:14:33.640
 verse 43,

00:14:33.760 --> 00:14:34.220
 can you see?

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:35.980
 Here,

00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.760
 the Lord Jesus

00:14:36.760 --> 00:14:37.740
 speaks a word

00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.660
 of grace,

00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.600
 assurance,

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.399
 mercy,

00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.139
 thirdly,

00:14:41.719 --> 00:14:42.079
 grace.

00:14:42.459 --> 00:14:42.740
 Truly,

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.360
 I say to you,

00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.719
 today you will be

00:14:45.719 --> 00:14:46.240
 with me

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.399
 in paradise.

00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:48.620
 Truly,

00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:49.719
 literally,

00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.600
 I am putting

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.740
 my word on this.

00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.620
 I will bring you

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.120
 to paradise.

00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.379
 If mercy

00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.139
 is not getting

00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.120
 what we do deserve,

00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.879
 grace is getting

00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.419
 what we don't deserve.

00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:01.480
 And we've seen

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.500
 that this guy knows,

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.860
 he knows what he deserves.

00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:06.079
 He deserves

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.780
 to be crucified.

00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:08.160
 It's the worst

00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:09.320
 form of execution,

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.300
 due reward

00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.200
 for his deeds.

00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.220
 And yet,

00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:13.980
 from the agony

00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.600
 of the cross,

00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.200
 this is about

00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:15.720
 to become

00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.780
 the best day

00:15:16.780 --> 00:15:17.560
 of his life.

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:18.820
 Jesus,

00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:19.879
 remember me

00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:20.620
 when you come

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.240
 into your kingdom.

00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:23.379
 This might be

00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.200
 the only time

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.540
 in Luke's gospel

00:15:25.540 --> 00:15:26.020
 that anyone

00:15:26.020 --> 00:15:26.759
 calls Jesus

00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.500
 by his name.

00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:29.139
 But at this point,

00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.160
 it makes perfect sense

00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:30.700
 that that would be

00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:31.140
 the case.

00:15:31.140 --> 00:15:31.900
 Why were Mary

00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:32.360
 and Joseph,

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:32.960
 do you remember,

00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:34.020
 told to give

00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.480
 their baby

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.240
 the name Jesus?

00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.779
 Because he will

00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.740
 save his people

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.939
 from their sins.

00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.699
 The name Jesus

00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:43.120
 means God saves.

00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.699
 And that is exactly

00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:45.419
 what this thief

00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:45.980
 discovers.

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:46.899
 And note,

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.720
 it's personal.

00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.899
 Jesus is asked

00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.919
 to remember this man

00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.639
 and his reply,

00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.100
 he says,

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.600
 I say to you,

00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.000
 today you

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.199
 will be with me.

00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.179
 He's so personal,

00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:58.019
 Jesus may as well

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.139
 have used the man's name.

00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.840
 It's not just personal,

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.799
 it's also immediate.

00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.179
 The moment this man's

00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.120
 life gave out,

00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.599
 the second he breathed

00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:07.479
 his last breath,

00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:08.919
 he would find himself

00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:10.559
 with Jesus in paradise.

00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.939
 Here's J.C. Ryle.

00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:14.099
 That word,

00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:14.719
 today,

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.120
 tells us that

00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.959
 the very moment

00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:17.939
 a believer dies,

00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.099
 his soul is in happiness

00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:19.899
 and safekeeping.

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.519
 His full redemption

00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.479
 has not yet come.

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.740
 His perfect bliss

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.459
 will not begin

00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:25.679
 before resurrection morning.

00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:26.339
 But there is

00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:27.699
 no mysterious delay,

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.719
 no season of suspense,

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.959
 no purgatory

00:16:30.959 --> 00:16:31.919
 between his death

00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:32.979
 and a state of reward.

00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.659
 In the day

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.679
 that he breathes his last,

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.719
 he goes to paradise.

00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:38.819
 Any hour that he departs,

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.899
 he is with Christ.

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.879
 And you know that paradise

00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:46.319
 is paradise for that reason.

00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:48.159
 Psalm 16 verse 11

00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.099
 tells us that it is

00:16:49.099 --> 00:16:50.599
 at the Lord's right hand

00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.899
 where there are pleasures

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.860
 forevermore.

00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:54.839
 The believer who dies

00:16:54.839 --> 00:16:55.740
 trusting Christ

00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.599
 goes to paradise

00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:57.620
 because they go to be

00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.500
 with the Lord

00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.799
 who is at the place

00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:01.500
 of eternal pleasure.

00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.599
 This is the wonder

00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.879
 of the gospel.

00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.819
 One for us

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.799
 through the mercy

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.720
 and grace

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.659
 of Christ.

00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.319
 And we can stand firm

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.680
 on this

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.039
 because of the last time

00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.599
 he speaks

00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.879
 in this narrative.

00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.740
 Jesus lifts his voice

00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.500
 one last time.

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.240
 Verse 46,

00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.599
 one final shout

00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.759
 with a word

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.879
 of hope.

00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.440
 Father,

00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.779
 into your hands

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.779
 I commit

00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.220
 my spirit.

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.359
 He gives up

00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:30.960
 his life.

00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.180
 It isn't taken

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.740
 from him.

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.779
 He's in control

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.660
 the whole way through.

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.940
 But the point is

00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.279
 his work

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.299
 at this point

00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.279
 is done.

00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.399
 He kept

00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.039
 the law of God

00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:42.519
 perfectly.

00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.359
 He bore

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.299
 the wrath of God

00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:44.940
 sufficiently

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.220
 and so he can give

00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.200
 himself to the Father

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.019
 finally.

00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:50.099
 And as we hear

00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.779
 these words,

00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.099
 they are words

00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:52.839
 that assure us

00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.440
 that the mercy

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.940
 and grace

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.880
 that he has purchased

00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.559
 for us

00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.779
 through all of this

00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.279
 injustice,

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.440
 they're not just

00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.299
 a nice idea

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.340
 but they are real

00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:01.960
 and they are really ours

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.980
 if we put our faith

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.220
 in the Lord Jesus.

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.180
 This is a cry

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.759
 of completion

00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.220
 and a cry

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.360
 of victory

00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:11.320
 and therefore

00:18:11.320 --> 00:18:13.240
 it gives all of us

00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.340
 who put our faith

00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:14.759
 in him

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.620
 hope.

00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.740
 Assurance,

00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.500
 mercy,

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.360
 grace

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.360
 and hope.

00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.440
 The question

00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.299
 for us

00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.799
 this morning

00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.180
 is

00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.220
 as Jesus

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.200
 calls out

00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.160
 how will you

00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.720
 respond?

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.420
 The truth

00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:32.759
 of the matter

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.299
 is that

00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:33.820
 we will all

00:18:33.820 --> 00:18:34.120
 of us

00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.720
 respond

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:37.600
 we'll follow

00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.160
 the example

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:38.940
 of one of these

00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.460
 two dying thieves.

00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.120
 We will either

00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:42.500
 on the one hand

00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.539
 focus on our

00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.200
 circumstances

00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:44.960
 and refuse

00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.720
 to trust God

00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.580
 when life is hard

00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.480
 and we'll rail

00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.200
 against Christ

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.860
 as a result.

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.340
 Why are you not

00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:51.120
 doing what I want

00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:51.680
 you to do?

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:54.440
 If you were

00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.180
 really good

00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.720
 as you say

00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.060
 you are

00:18:56.060 --> 00:18:56.460
 if you were

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.140
 really loving

00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:57.759
 as you say

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.080
 you are

00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:58.420
 you would

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:58.980
 do things

00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.700
 differently.

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.560
 You wouldn't

00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:00.880
 put me

00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.440
 through this.

00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.220
 That's one

00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.519
 option.

00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.920
 We keep

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.259
 them at a

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.640
 distance.

00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.519
 We focus

00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:07.880
 on our

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:08.480
 circumstances.

00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:08.980
 We keep

00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.460
 ourselves

00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:09.820
 at the

00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.080
 center

00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.920
 of everything.

00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.500
 The other

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.080
 thing gives us

00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.420
 a better

00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:15.740
 model

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.060
 and that is

00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:17.480
 that we see

00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:17.840
 ourselves

00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.279
 as sinners

00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.660
 in need

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:18.900
 of a

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.160
 savior

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.840
 and we

00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.259
 cast

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.700
 ourselves

00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.040
 on the

00:19:22.040 --> 00:19:22.300
 mercy

00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:22.779
 and grace

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:22.960
 of

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.259
 Jesus

00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.660
 who is

00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.019
 the only

00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.300
 one

00:19:25.300 --> 00:19:25.620
 who can

00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.220
 save us.

00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.640
 Only one

00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:29.940
 of those

00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.279
 options

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.700
 will take

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:30.920
 you to

00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.340
 paradise.

00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:34.720
 Luke is

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.519
 urging us

00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.640
 to trust

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.480
 our lives

00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.200
 and our

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.860
 circumstances

00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:39.560
 and our

00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:40.000
 hardships

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.700
 to a God

00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.560
 who is in

00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:42.019
 complete

00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.560
 control of

00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:43.880
 history.

00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:43.880


00:19:46.280 --> 00:19:46.800
 He's a

00:19:46.800 --> 00:19:47.120
 God who

00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.560
 has made

00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:48.680
 us for

00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.300
 himself and

00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:49.920
 he has made

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.640
 a way for

00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.080
 our deepest

00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.660
 problem to

00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.000
 be put

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.300
 right.

00:19:52.780 --> 00:19:53.160
 Through the

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.540
 death of

00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:54.020
 his son

00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:54.820
 there is

00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.720
 mercy and

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.560
 grace for

00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:57.220
 all who

00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.020
 will receive

00:19:58.020 --> 00:19:58.240
 it.

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.700
 One thief

00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:02.060
 was saved

00:20:02.060 --> 00:20:03.880
 that no one

00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.320
 should think

00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:04.660
 that they are

00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.220
 beyond this

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.740
 mercy and

00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.100
 grace.

00:20:06.300 --> 00:20:06.500
 Whatever

00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.300
 your life

00:20:07.300 --> 00:20:07.720
 has looked

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.180
 like up

00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:08.640
 to now

00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.420
 you can

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:09.860
 find the

00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.520
 same favor

00:20:10.520 --> 00:20:11.540
 that this

00:20:11.540 --> 00:20:12.260
 man found

00:20:12.260 --> 00:20:13.620
 even today.

00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:16.780
 one thief

00:20:16.780 --> 00:20:17.460
 was saved

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.920
 that none

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.380
 of us would

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:19.860
 think that we

00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.260
 are beyond

00:20:20.260 --> 00:20:20.800
 this mercy

00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:21.280
 and grace

00:20:21.280 --> 00:20:22.020
 but only

00:20:22.020 --> 00:20:22.660
 one thief

00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.280
 was saved

00:20:23.280 --> 00:20:24.600
 that no one

00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.160
 might presume.

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.040
 It is only

00:20:27.040 --> 00:20:27.740
 those who

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.540
 trust themselves

00:20:28.540 --> 00:20:29.160
 to the mercy

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:29.560
 and grace

00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:30.040
 of Christ

00:20:30.040 --> 00:20:30.820
 who will

00:20:30.820 --> 00:20:31.360
 be saved.

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.720
 So here

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.160
 is hope.

00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:36.200
 Here is the

00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.560
 hope of

00:20:36.560 --> 00:20:37.080
 Good Friday

00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:37.780
 for a world

00:20:37.780 --> 00:20:38.320
 that feels

00:20:38.320 --> 00:20:39.040
 very thin

00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:40.000
 on hope

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.600
 at the

00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:40.800
 minute.

00:20:42.040 --> 00:20:42.400
 Jesus

00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.120
 Christ the

00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:43.480
 innocent

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:43.940
 Son of

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.180
 God

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.620
 suffered

00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:45.200
 gross

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.180
 injustice

00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.920
 in order

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.400
 to bring

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:47.860
 any

00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.120
 who

00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:48.480
 trust

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:48.700
 Him

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.720
 in order

00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.140
 to bring

00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.579
 you

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:50.980
 if you

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.120
 will

00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.440
 trust

00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:51.660
 Him

00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.599
 to

00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.059
 paradise.

00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.900
 So come

00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.360
 and welcome

00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:57.579
 to the

00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.039
 Lord Jesus.

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480


00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.480