WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.679 The Lord is good to all that He has made, and merciful to all of earth and earth. 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:27.920 Now we're going to have James return to read our Old Testament passage from Psalms 22. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.859 God's Word together. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:46.379 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:52.000 Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:56.000 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:58.780 By night, but I find no rest. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:01.740 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One. 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.859 You are the one Israel praises. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:06.939 In you our ancestors put their trust. 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:09.799 They trusted, and you delivered them. 00:01:10.320 --> 00:01:12.359 To you they cried out and were saved. 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:15.480 In you they trusted and were not put to shame. 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:22.099 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 00:01:22.099 --> 00:01:24.280 All who see me mock me. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.379 They hurl insults, shaking their heads. 00:01:27.619 --> 00:01:29.479 He trusts in the Lord, they say. 00:01:29.919 --> 00:01:31.419 Let the Lord rescue him. 00:01:31.539 --> 00:01:34.280 Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:37.079 Yet you brought me out of the womb. 00:01:37.619 --> 00:01:40.819 You made me trust in you, even at my mother's breast. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:43.619 From birth I was cast on you. 00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:46.719 From my mother's womb you have been my God. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:52.560 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help. 00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:55.140 Many bulls surround me. 00:01:55.260 --> 00:01:57.560 Strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 00:01:58.019 --> 00:02:02.500 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:07.900 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:10.699 My heart has turned to wax. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:12.879 It has melted within me. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:18.580 My mouth is dried up like a pot shirt, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:21.979 You lay me in the dust of day. 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:24.420 Dogs surround me. 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:26.520 A pack of villains encircles me. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:28.920 They pierce my hand and my feet. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:31.520 All my bones are on display. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:33.900 People stare and gloat over me. 00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:36.340 They divide my clothes among them. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.280 They cast lots for my garment. 00:02:39.320 --> 00:02:42.260 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:43.760 You are my strength. 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:45.439 Come quickly to help me. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:47.460 Deliver me from the sword. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.540 My precious life from the power of the dogs. 00:02:51.320 --> 00:02:53.620 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:56.780 Save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 00:02:57.719 --> 00:03:00.700 I will declare your name to my people. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:03.579 In the assembly I will praise you. 00:03:03.579 --> 00:03:06.239 You who fear the Lord, praise him. 00:03:06.619 --> 00:03:09.179 All you descendants of Jacob, honor him. 00:03:09.339 --> 00:03:11.899 Revere him, all you descendants of Israel. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:17.019 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one. 00:03:17.399 --> 00:03:22.159 He has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:26.319 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:30.359 Before those who fear you, I will fulfill my vows. 00:03:31.079 --> 00:03:33.239 The poor will eat and be satisfied. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:36.299 Those who seek the Lord will praise him. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:39.199 May your hearts live forever. 00:03:40.079 --> 00:03:43.759 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord. 00:03:43.879 --> 00:03:47.060 And all the families of the nations will bow down before him. 00:03:47.459 --> 00:03:50.219 For dominion belongs to the Lord. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:53.000 And he rules over the nations. 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:56.259 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:03:59.300 All who go down to the dust will kneel before him. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:01.900 Those who cannot keep themselves alive. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:04.219 Posterity will serve him. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:07.460 Future generations will be told about the Lord. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:10.139 They will proclaim his righteousness. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:13.479 Declaring to a people yet unborn, 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:15.699 he has done it. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:16.839 Amen. 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:21.379 Now let's stand together to call on God's name in prayer. 00:04:21.659 --> 00:04:22.500 Stand together. 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:34.299 Lord God, as we have read these words of David that speak so powerfully 00:04:34.299 --> 00:04:41.399 in anticipation of the suffering and death and resurrection victory of Jesus, 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:48.079 we stand before you with a sense of humility and thankfulness. 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:57.379 Lord, we are so conscious as we consider the cross of the cost of our salvation. 00:04:57.939 --> 00:05:02.219 As we remember Jesus, our suffering servant, 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:06.099 taking our place, taking our sin, 00:05:06.659 --> 00:05:10.639 facing shame and becoming a curse for us. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:17.759 So that we might be forgiven and enjoy eternal life and reconciliation with you 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:20.240 and to be justified in your sight. 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:25.139 So we would give you thanks and we would give you praise. 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:29.259 Lord, we recognize in the events of Easter, 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:34.079 the great hope that there is for us and for our world. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:42.779 Lord, we remember some of the words of Jesus on the cross as he was crucified cruelly by his enemies, 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:43.240 praying, 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:45.599 Father, forgive them. 00:05:46.599 --> 00:05:50.419 Lord, we know that we live in a world marked by division. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:55.039 We know that there are many who fear being found out 00:05:55.040 --> 00:05:59.260 and who cannot find forgiveness and who live with guilt. 00:05:59.460 --> 00:06:07.420 And so we thank you for the forgiveness that is freely available in and through the work of the Lord Jesus. 00:06:08.260 --> 00:06:12.520 We remember him turning to the thief on the cross and promising today, 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:15.520 you'll be with me in paradise. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:18.560 And we thank you that in Jesus, 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:23.180 there is a hope for now and for all eternity. 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:27.879 We thank you that faith gives the gift of eternal life. 00:06:29.180 --> 00:06:35.279 And Lord, we thank you for that hope as we recognize there are so many who are fearful and anxious 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:38.599 and living in the shadow of death right now. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:44.120 Lord, we remember the words of Jesus as he cried out, 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:45.520 it is finished. 00:06:46.460 --> 00:06:50.460 We praise you that the work of salvation has been completed. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:57.100 There is nothing left for us to do save to receive it with thankfulness, 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:59.740 to turn from our sin and to trust in Jesus. 00:07:00.320 --> 00:07:04.420 And Lord, as we consider the great news at the heart of our faith, 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:08.340 we pray that that message would be heard far and wide. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:12.260 We are thankful as a nation that churches can reopen today. 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:16.100 And we ask that wherever your word is preached, 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:19.540 wherever Jesus is proclaimed as Lord and Savior, 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:22.460 that you would build your people up in faith 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:25.520 and you would draw men and women and boys and girls 00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:28.820 to put their faith and trust in Jesus. 00:07:30.140 --> 00:07:33.120 And we pray for your church around the world. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.340 We recognize circumstances will be different this Easter, 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:41.619 but we pray that you would strengthen your church, 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:44.259 that you would strengthen our witness, 00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:48.259 that you would enable us to share this message of good news 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:52.359 that brings great joy with the people around us. 00:07:53.779 --> 00:07:56.979 Lord, we want to pray for our church family today. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:00.719 We pray that you would give us unity in the gospel. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:05.020 We ask that you would protect us from sin and from the evil one. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:11.440 We pray that you would give us a boldness in our mission to declare your praises. 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:21.280 Lord, we give you thanks too for the good news for the Knowlton family of a child on the way. 00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:24.319 We thank you that you are the author of life. 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:31.719 And we pray that you would protect and be with Rachel and the unborn baby in the days and months ahead. 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:37.899 Lord, we also pray for Andrew and Brittany as they look ahead to Wednesday 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:41.559 and anticipating the arrival of their twin girls. 00:08:41.699 --> 00:08:43.339 We pray that you would protect, 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:50.740 that you would love and support them as a family in the lead up to Wednesday 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:58.519 and that you would give them the joy of welcoming those precious children into their family. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:00.860 Lord, we pray for all of our families. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:09.680 We think of our junior church families as we were disappointed not to be able to begin again as we'd hoped. 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:13.159 Lord, we do pray that as they grow up, 00:09:13.219 --> 00:09:18.259 they would grow up with a real and living faith in Jesus as Lord, 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:22.139 that you would protect them and you would enable them to serve you. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:30.819 We think of our teenagers and we pray for them with the challenges that they face in education 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:34.939 and also living for Jesus in their teenage years. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:37.720 Lord, we ask again that you would strengthen faith, 00:09:38.380 --> 00:09:39.840 that you would give endurance. 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:44.760 Lord, we also want to pray once again for the nation of Myanmar 00:09:44.760 --> 00:09:50.080 as we see those dreadful scenes being played out again. 00:09:50.880 --> 00:09:54.820 Lord, we pray for peace and we pray for justice. 00:09:55.780 --> 00:09:57.740 Lord, we pray for mercy. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:04.659 Lord, we remember in particular Pastor Titus and his family and his church. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:08.860 We pray that you would give them living hope, 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:12.720 that they would be conscious of your presence, 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:20.820 that you would enable them to speak that message of good news to a broken and hurting people. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:26.580 Lord, we think of the orphanage that the junior church has had a chance to support 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.259 and to pray for. 00:10:28.400 --> 00:10:37.120 We ask for staff and we pray for those children to have faith in the Lord Jesus 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:40.360 that would sustain them through fear and sadness. 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:44.500 Lord, we pray for the nations of the world, 00:10:45.180 --> 00:10:49.200 that there would be a turning to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:54.759 Lord, we thank you again for being able to study your word together. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:59.720 Father, we pray that your spirit would be present with us as you have promised, 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:03.340 that you would apply the word to our hearts and lives. 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:08.220 Lord, let us see more of Jesus, we pray in his name. 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:09.120 Amen. 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.059 James. 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:23.199 Today, we continue our series leading up to Easter. 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:27.819 We're going to be looking at the passage from Matthew 27, starting in verse 27. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:32.379 My family and I have been in Scotland now for six months, 00:11:32.599 --> 00:11:35.739 and one of the considerations when moving here, 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:39.799 one of the thoughts we had thought of was the differences that we will experience. 00:11:40.459 --> 00:11:43.479 And one of those differences that we thought about is the food that we eat. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:47.519 Now, certainly there's not huge differences with the food, but there certainly are some. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:50.700 And in fact, one of the main questions we received from people 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:53.399 when they heard we were moving to Scotland was questions about food, 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.759 particularly about haggis. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.560 Everyone wanted to know about haggis. 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:57.580 What is haggis? 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.360 What does it taste like? 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:59.159 Have you tried it before? 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.039 Do they eat it a lot? 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.200 They eat it every meal? 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:04.279 I still don't know what it's made of, 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:08.019 but, you know, another question was fish and chips, right? 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:09.560 They eat a lot of fish and chips. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.500 Have you had fish and chips? 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:11.460 Are you going to eat all the time? 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:13.900 And certainly I love fish and chips. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.000 I really haven't had much opportunity to eat them here 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.700 because of restaurants being closed, 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:20.200 but I look forward to when that will change. 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:23.220 It's a very simple, delicious meal, right? 00:12:23.280 --> 00:12:24.860 You have fish and you have chips. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:26.400 They're both essential to the meal. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:29.720 You can't take one away and still have the meal. 00:12:29.780 --> 00:12:32.200 If you take the fish away or take the chips away, 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:34.340 you no longer have fish and chips. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.379 Well, the same principle is true when we think about Easter. 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:40.800 When we celebrate the completed work of Christ, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:46.839 we observe both his death and his resurrection, right? 00:12:46.859 --> 00:12:49.779 They are both essential to the work of Jesus. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:53.659 And so that's what we're going to concentrate on today. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:56.219 Though it's easy to look forward to next week 00:12:56.219 --> 00:12:57.719 when we're going to celebrate the resurrection, 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.879 when the hope and joy that comes through that, 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:05.579 let us take time today to marvel in the glory of the cross. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:11.400 And so let's look at Matthew 27, starting in verse 27. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:16.500 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:19.480 and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:22.240 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.279 and then twisted together a crown of thorns 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.299 and set it on his head. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.939 They put a staff in his right hand. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:30.500 Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.139 Hail, King of the Jews, they said. 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:35.319 They spat on him and took the staff 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:37.000 and struck him on the head again and again. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:40.700 After they mocked him, they took off his robe 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.500 and put his own clothes on him. 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:45.200 And then they led him away to crucify him. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.600 As they were going out, 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.720 they met a man from Cyrene named Simon 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:51.399 and they forced him to carry the cross. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.179 They came to a place called Golgotha, 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.740 which means the place of the skull. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:59.059 There they offered Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall, 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:01.200 but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.820 When they had crucified him, 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:06.059 they divided up his clothes by casting lots 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:09.199 and sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:12.959 Above his head, they placed a written charge against him. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.959 This is Jesus, King of the Jews. 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:17.899 Two rebels were crucified with him, 00:14:17.959 --> 00:14:19.599 one on his right and one on his left. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:22.139 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.399 shaking their heads and saying, 00:14:23.859 --> 00:14:25.579 you who are going to destroy the temple 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:27.339 and build it in three days, save yourself. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.919 Come down from the cross if you are the son of God. 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.599 In the same way, the chief priests, 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:35.019 the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:38.720 He saved others, they said, but he can't save himself. 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.720 He is the king of Israel. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.960 Let him come down now from the cross 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:43.299 and we will believe in him. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.919 He trusts in God. 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.679 Let God rescue him now if he wants him, 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.240 for he said, I am the son of God. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:51.759 In the same way, the rebels who were crucified with him 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.379 also heaped insults on him. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:56.600 From noon until three in the afternoon, 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:58.240 darkness came over the land. 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:00.319 About three in the afternoon, 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.940 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:04.080 Eli, Eli, Lamech Sakbani, 00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:06.260 which means my God, my God, 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.500 why have you forsaken me? 00:15:08.900 --> 00:15:10.740 When some of those standing there heard this, 00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:12.000 they said, he's calling Elijah. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:15.220 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.740 He filled it with wine vinegar 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.700 and put it on a staff 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:19.100 and offered it to Jesus to drink. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:22.200 The rest said, now leave him alone. 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:24.260 Let's see if Elijah comes to save him. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:28.419 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.580 he gave up his spirit. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.419 At that moment, the curtain of the temple 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:35.179 was torn in two from top to bottom. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:37.500 The earth shook, the rocks split, 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.759 and the tombs broke open. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.919 The bodies of many holy people who had died 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.899 were raised to life. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:45.679 They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.919 and went into the holy city 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.860 and peered to many people. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.759 When the centurion and those with him 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:52.700 who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:54.580 and all that had happened, 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.940 they were terrified and exclaimed, 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:58.500 surely he was the son of God. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:02.180 Many women were there watching from a distance. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:04.060 They had followed Jesus from Galilee 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:05.120 to care for his needs. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.140 Among them were Mary Magdalene, 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.780 Mary the mother of James and Joseph, 00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:12.379 and the mother of Zebedee's sons. 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.900 This is the word of God. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.560 Will you pray with me? 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:22.759 God, as we gather in your name today, 00:16:23.359 --> 00:16:27.099 we ask that your word will penetrate our hearts, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.419 that it will stimulate our minds. 00:16:30.719 --> 00:16:33.500 God, we ask that you free us from our stubbornness, 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:36.099 free us from our self-righteousness. 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:40.179 Lord, we ask that we may be transformed 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:42.039 by the power of your spirit today. 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:45.239 May your word bring lasting change in our lives. 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.219 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:16:47.359 --> 00:16:47.559 Amen. 00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.439 Not long ago, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.879 I played a little trivia game on the internet 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.539 where you try, 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.979 that gives you logos 00:16:55.979 --> 00:16:57.479 and you try to match the logo 00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:59.159 with the company that it represents. 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.099 It was amazing how many logos I really knew, 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:03.279 even subconsciously. 00:17:03.339 --> 00:17:05.279 We see logos all around us, right? 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:07.240 You're probably very familiar with lots of logos. 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.700 You know, what's the logo for McDonald's, kids? 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.679 It's the golden arches, right? 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.919 What's the logo for Nike? 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.859 It's the swoosh. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.699 It's important for marketing, 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:17.219 for branding, for companies, right? 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:20.659 And so when we think about Christianity, 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.679 what's the logo that may come to mind? 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.419 It's the cross. 00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:26.439 Certainly, it's one of the most recognizable symbols 00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:27.639 in the whole world. 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:30.060 We see it all around us in our society. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.800 We see it worn on jewelry. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:34.140 We see it in pop culture. 00:17:34.280 --> 00:17:35.200 We see it in artwork. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.380 But because we see it all the time, 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:40.460 it's become so familiar to us, 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:42.520 we've kind of domesticated it. 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:46.700 And we can easily forget about how strange it really is 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.380 that an instrument of torture 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.800 can serve as a symbol for our faith. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:55.279 And so that's what we're going to look at today 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.799 is actually this cross. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:59.299 Why do we hold it out to be significant? 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:03.619 And I think this passage points out three reasons. 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:06.319 Why do we revel in the cross? 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:09.079 Well, what I want to look at today in this passage 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.059 is three things. 00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:12.759 The cross reveals, first of all, Christ's misery. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:16.700 Second of all, it reveals Christ's identity. 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:20.900 And third, that the cross reveals Christ's victory. 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:25.180 Christ's misery, Christ's identity, and Christ's victory. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:27.559 So let's first look at Christ's misery. 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:30.200 When we think about the death of Christ, 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:33.759 we really need to focus on the manner in which he died. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.140 When we talk about the crucifixion, 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:39.400 we're actually talking about the death of a slave. 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:43.180 This was a means of death that was not used for Roman citizens. 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.700 And it wasn't just a form of execution. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:49.860 It was actually a form of death that prolonged agony, 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:52.220 that promoted public shame. 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:56.720 There's a minister in the U.S., Fleming Rutledge, 00:18:56.800 --> 00:18:58.540 who wrote a book on the crucifixion. 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.620 It says this in the book. 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:04.000 The crucifixion as a means of execution in the Roman Empire 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:06.500 had as its express purpose 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:09.599 the elimination of victims from consideration 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:12.000 as members of the human race. 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:15.640 It cannot be said too strongly that was its function. 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:18.440 It was meant to indicate to all who might be toying 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.660 with subversive ideas 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:23.400 that crucified persons were not of the same species 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:26.519 as either the executioner or the spectators 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:28.480 and were therefore not only expendable, 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:32.460 but also deserving of ritualized extermination. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:36.640 There's certainly much that can be said 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:38.680 about the physical suffering of Jesus. 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:41.660 There's certainly plenty of literature, 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:44.180 both medical and historical and biblical literature, 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:46.819 that talks about the physical suffering of Jesus, 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.720 the horror of the cross. 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:52.620 But when we think about the misery of Christ, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:55.460 we must not only think about the physical suffering. 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:58.420 Dietrich Bonhoeffer said this, 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.200 that the meaning of the cross lies not only 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:02.039 in the physical suffering of Jesus, 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:05.380 but especially in his rejection and shame. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:08.340 And that's the focus that Matthew takes in this passage, 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:12.279 is to focus on the rejection and shame of Christ. 00:20:13.300 --> 00:20:15.920 We see very clearly that Jesus on the cross 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.900 became a public spectacle. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:22.700 He was a despised object of shame and ridicule. 00:20:22.800 --> 00:20:24.620 We see that the Roman soldiers, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.779 they mocked him and they abused him. 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:29.019 He was hung between two criminals. 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:30.099 Like it says in Isaiah, 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.899 he was numbered with the transgressors. 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.740 When he hung on the cross, 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:37.139 he'd hung completely naked, 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:40.920 fully exposed to those who were watching. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:45.839 All the while the soldiers gambled for his clothes at his feet. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:50.740 It says that wine was mixed with gall and given to him. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:53.240 And you may think, well, this seems like an act of mercy. 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:56.579 But in fact, this was likely also an act of mockery 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.279 for the gall that was included in that wine 00:20:58.279 --> 00:21:00.639 was probably so strong and so bitter 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:03.799 that Jesus refused to drink it. 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.799 It says this in verse 36, 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:10.419 and I really missed this the first few times I've read this passage. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:14.199 It says that the soldier sat down to keep watch over him. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:19.500 Jesus' crucifixion was literally a spectator sport. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:24.039 He didn't suffer alone and in isolation. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.240 He suffered publicly 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:30.380 so that people could personally ridicule him and despise him. 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:34.160 We see in this passage that he's actually rejected 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:36.059 by each segment of society. 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.799 Matthew points out that it was the Romans 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:40.460 who beat him and tortured him and mocked him. 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.779 It says that those that were passing by 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:46.420 also heaped insult on him. 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.200 The Jewish leaders as well, 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:54.039 it talks about the priests and the scribes and the teachers. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:57.119 Basically, all those who composed official Judaism 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.839 completely rejected him. 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:02.960 And not only that, but the criminals on either side of him. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:08.600 But we see that it wasn't, 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:12.180 this misery wasn't just in the mocking of others. 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:16.579 The actual misery came to a point of culmination in verse 46 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:18.720 where Jesus cried out, 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:20.880 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:25.660 We see that although he endured public shame 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.680 and physical suffering, 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:28.539 it was the separation from God 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:30.880 that he was experiencing in the fullest here. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:34.840 He was experiencing the ultimate penalty for our sins, 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:36.420 the full wrath of God. 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:38.440 And when he was experiencing the judgment of God, 00:22:38.520 --> 00:22:41.280 that means he was experiencing separation from him. 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:48.060 It says in Galatians 3.13 00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:52.120 that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.740 by becoming a curse for us. 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:54.980 For it is written, 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:58.380 Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:02.400 So when Christ was crying out, 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:05.380 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:08.640 He wasn't asking a question he didn't know the answer to. 00:23:10.260 --> 00:23:14.880 He was quite literally expressing the horrors of abandonment. 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:17.440 He was literally voicing the cry of the damned. 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:22.600 Christ became a curse for us. 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:25.240 He experienced the misery that we deserve. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:29.319 And so when we think about the misery of the cross, 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.900 the misery that Jesus endured, 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:34.339 let us rejoice in it. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.640 For if we are in Christ, 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:38.180 we will never experience not even a single drop 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:40.359 of the wrath of God that Jesus endured. 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.559 We will never have to cry out, 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:45.420 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.779 For it was Christ who was forsaken on our behalf. 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:52.180 And so as we think of the misery of Christ, 00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:55.399 we can also focus on the identity of Christ 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.579 that is revealed in the cross. 00:23:58.139 --> 00:24:01.960 You know, I have one of my favorite musicians in the U.S., 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.139 pretty well known. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:05.039 His albums do well, 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:06.559 reach the top of the charts usually. 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:09.180 And whenever he releases a new album, 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:11.259 he always does something that I find really humorous. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:13.940 He always makes a rather self-deprecating video 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.899 that he puts on YouTube. 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:17.800 And he kind of jokingly refers to himself 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:19.300 as this international superstar 00:24:19.300 --> 00:24:21.220 and that he just can't go anywhere 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.940 without people recognizing him. 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:25.019 Then he immediately goes out on the street 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:27.100 with a microphone without disguising himself 00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:29.500 and speaking of himself in the third person. 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.860 He goes up to people and asks them 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:33.320 how excited they are about this new album being released. 00:24:34.280 --> 00:24:36.140 And you usually get two different responses. 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:37.100 One, people say, 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:39.580 who? I've never heard of this guy. 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:41.720 What kind of music does he play? 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:43.800 The other one is even funnier. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.639 It's people that just because they're on camera, 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.460 you can tell that they're lying to the camera 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:49.299 and say, oh, I love his music. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:49.899 He's so good. 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:51.200 I can't wait till his album comes out. 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.399 All the while failing to recognize 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:55.359 that they're actually talking to the artist 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.799 who is interviewing them. 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:59.619 And so we see this irony in this video. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:02.960 It's similar irony that Matthew uses in this passage. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.919 He's highlighting the mocking 00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:07.059 that's being thrown at Jesus. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.359 And by highlighting the mocking 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.599 and the words of his mockers, 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:14.559 he's actually revealing the true identity of Christ. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:18.559 Certainly we can see the humanity of Jesus 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:21.199 in this passage as he suffers physically 00:25:21.199 --> 00:25:24.819 and spiritually as he bears our sin on the cross. 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:28.019 But Matthew wants us to see more than that. 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:30.240 He points out that Jesus is much more 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:32.019 than just a normal man. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:35.139 When Matthew wrote this passage, 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:37.200 or when he wrote his gospel, 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:38.259 he was intending it, 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:42.700 his directed audience was to be the Jewish audience. 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:47.040 And so we see throughout the gospel of Matthew, 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.520 this repeated theme that Matthew is pointing out 00:25:49.520 --> 00:25:51.120 that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:54.180 Jesus is the savior, the king of Israel. 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:56.140 And those are the words that are highlighted 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:58.400 by these mockers in this passage. 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:02.720 Verse 28, it says that the soldier stripped him 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.220 and put a scarlet robe on him. 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.860 Then they twisted together a crown of thorns 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.819 and set it on his head. 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.660 They put a staff in his right hand. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.640 They knelt in front of him and mocked him. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.740 Hail, king of the Jews, they said. 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:17.799 In verse 37, it says that Jesus hung on the cross 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:21.880 and a sign with his written charge hung over his head. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.339 This is Jesus, king of the Jews. 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:27.220 Pilate had this sign written 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:29.500 primarily to offend the Jews here. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:34.019 But the truth is actually in this statement 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:37.519 and it's not overlooked by Matthew in this passage, 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:42.980 that though these soldiers pretended to worship him as a king 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:46.859 and Pilate sentenced him as a pretend Messiah, 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:50.339 Jesus was asserting himself as our suffering savior. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:53.519 It continues in verse 39. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:56.119 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.960 shaking their heads and saying, 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.940 you who are going to destroy the temple 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.720 and build it in three days, save yourself. 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:04.640 Come down from the cross if you are the son of God. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.340 In the same way, the chief priests 00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:09.460 and the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:12.220 He saved others, they said, but he can't save himself. 00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:15.940 It's funny how this mocking, 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:19.360 these words actually cut two ways, right? 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:22.420 The fact that they said he saves others 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:25.640 but can't save themselves is quite an accurate statement. 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.820 And that's what Matthew wants us to see 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:30.020 because he is saving others. 00:27:30.020 --> 00:27:34.180 That is exactly why he cannot and will not save himself. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.060 The Jewish leaders continued, 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.300 he is the king of Israel. 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.840 Let him come down from the cross 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:42.220 and we will believe in him. 00:27:42.540 --> 00:27:43.560 He trusts in God. 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:45.440 Let God rescue him now if he wants him. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.780 For he said, I am the son of God. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.640 Little did these Jewish leaders know 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:54.560 that they were fulfilling prophecy in their words, 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:56.879 that they were quoting exactly from Psalm 22. 00:27:58.159 --> 00:28:00.859 Little did they know that it wasn't Jesus' lack of power 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:03.639 that kept him on the cross. 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.099 We see just the night before 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:07.599 when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:10.099 his disciples, a few of them, 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:12.579 tried to defend him by using force. 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.960 And what does Jesus do? 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.379 He stops them immediately and says, 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.259 don't you know that I could send down 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:21.039 12 legions of angels at my disposal to stop this? 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:25.019 It certainly wasn't his lack of power 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:27.079 that kept Jesus on the cross. 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:30.079 It was his will to save us. 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:34.940 The Bible says that he came to earth not to be served, 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:38.779 but to serve us and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:42.440 The Jewish leaders said that they would believe 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:45.759 that he was the son of God if he came down off the cross. 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:49.359 But friends, that's exactly why we believe 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.980 he is truly the son of God 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:54.160 because he chose to stay up on the cross. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.640 And so we see in this passage 00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:01.779 that Jesus truly is our suffering Savior. 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:06.900 And thirdly, the cross reveals the victory of Jesus. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.879 If you're not familiar with the story, 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.420 this kind of looks like a bad ending, right? 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:15.120 You have this son of God who comes to earth 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:16.980 and ends up just being killed by the men 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.880 that he planned on saving. 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:22.400 But we know that this isn't the end of the story. 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:24.660 Matthew, in recounting this narrative, 00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:26.900 basically hints at us 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:28.660 and then eventually reveals in full 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:31.480 that Jesus is not the loser in this situation. 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.980 In my family, you know, Francie, 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:36.680 when we play games together, 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.759 and she may win the game, 00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:40.700 she likes to tell people she won the game. 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:42.460 She likes to go around the house gloating, 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.400 I won, I won. 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:46.019 But she's usually followed close behind 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:48.700 by one of her other siblings who she beat, 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.720 who say, we let her win. 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.920 I let her win. 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:55.420 That's kind of what Matthew is doing in this passage here. 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:57.700 Though it looks like a bleak outcome, 00:29:58.080 --> 00:30:01.340 he's showing us that Jesus did not truly lose. 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:04.559 Although the Jewish leaders thought they had won, 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.759 things certainly were not as they seemed. 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:07.940 Jesus did not lose. 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:10.759 He did not lack the ability to stop the flogging. 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:14.160 He did not lack the ability to climb off the cross. 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:18.799 He didn't die just because he was outwitted or overpowered. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.640 He willingly gave himself up. 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:24.900 Jesus, in the Gospel of John, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.000 says that, he says, 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:27.860 I am the good shepherd. 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:31.480 The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.380 No one takes it from me, 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.860 but I lay it down on my own accord. 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:36.719 I have the authority to lay it down, 00:30:36.959 --> 00:30:38.839 and I have the authority to take it up again. 00:30:40.679 --> 00:30:43.159 Jesus did not lose his life. 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:46.459 He willingly gave it up for us. 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:49.139 And that's the ultimate purpose of why he came to earth, right? 00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:53.759 He was sent to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:54.839 So by dying on the cross, 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.459 he was fulfilling his mission. 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.359 Mission accomplished. 00:30:57.699 --> 00:30:58.979 He has the victory. 00:30:58.980 --> 00:31:04.559 We also see the victory of Jesus in the torn curtain. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.839 It says in verse 51, 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:09.759 right when Jesus breathed his last, 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:13.819 the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom. 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:19.079 We see that this curtain was used in the temple 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:23.360 for separating the holy place from the holy of holies. 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:26.519 The holy of holies would have only been entered into once a year 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:30.399 by the high priest to make a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:33.079 And so now through the blood of Jesus, 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:37.619 we see that our access to God has been fully opened. 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.919 As that temple has been torn, 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:42.879 we have direct access to the Father through the blood of Christ. 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:44.559 So we no longer need earthly priests. 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:46.439 We no longer need animal sacrifices. 00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:50.299 We can go to the Father directly. 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.559 For it says in Hebrews this, 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:54.940 that Jesus sacrificed for our sins once and for all 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:56.480 when he's offered himself. 00:31:57.639 --> 00:32:01.240 So therefore we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:04.519 for we have received the righteousness of Christ. 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:08.200 Again, we see another picture of victory 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:11.759 through Matthew's retelling of these open tombs. 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.960 In verse 51, it continues, 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.639 the earth shook and the rock split. 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:18.940 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.480 who had died were raised to life. 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:24.539 Now Matthew's the only one in any of the gospels 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:26.840 that recounts this story. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:29.519 And this is all the information we have about it. 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:31.160 So there's a lot of mystery surrounding it. 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.299 Who were these saints? 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.539 When exactly did they come back to life? 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:36.039 Did they come back to life in the flesh? 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.559 How long did they stay around? 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.660 Did they ascend with Jesus? 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.320 We don't really know, 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:42.240 but that's really not the point of this passage. 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:46.539 The point is where Matthew includes this story 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.799 in his narrative. 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:51.539 And it's immediately following this earthquake. 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:54.619 We see throughout the Bible, 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:57.440 the earthquake is used as a sign of God's presence 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.500 and God's judgment. 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:01.399 And so here we see this close link 00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:05.000 between the death of Jesus and the life that he gives. 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:08.420 When Jesus took on the judgment of God, 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:11.980 he died on the cross and the earth trembled. 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:13.200 And what's the immediate result? 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:15.860 Life for the saints. 00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:19.700 Death has lost its sting. 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.380 It's been swallowed up by victory. 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:28.200 And lastly, we see the victory of the cross 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:30.480 through the soldier's own profession. 00:33:31.100 --> 00:33:32.519 In verse 54, it says this, 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:34.580 when the centurion and those with him 00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:37.360 who were guarding Jesus saw that the earthquake 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:39.200 and all that had happened, they were terrified 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:42.460 and exclaimed, surely he was the son of God. 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:46.120 Matthew's really using more irony here. 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:48.720 Not in what is said, but who says it. 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:52.380 We know that all the Jewish leaders were there at the cross 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:54.539 with all their religiosity, 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:56.860 with all their familiarity with the scriptures. 00:33:57.039 --> 00:34:00.660 They still didn't recognize who Jesus truly was. 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:04.660 But yet we have these scared Roman soldiers 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:09.400 who were the first to profess the deity of Christ. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:13.059 And so we see in the victory of Christ 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.820 that salvation has been opened up to all. 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:17.519 Christ didn't come just to save the Jews. 00:34:17.660 --> 00:34:20.760 He came to save Gentile soldiers like in this story. 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:23.099 He came to save people like you and me 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:24.180 who have rejected him, 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.500 who have lived in rebellion, 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:27.360 who have mocked him with our lives. 00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:31.099 And yet we are offered peace with God. 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:36.239 And so that's the ultimate glory of the cross, 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:39.099 the victory that we have in Jesus. 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:43.239 And so in closing then, my question to you is, 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:44.360 how do you view the cross? 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:48.099 Paul says in 1 Corinthians 00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:50.239 that the message of the cross 00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:52.900 is foolishness to those who are perishing, 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:55.619 but to us who are being saved, 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:57.699 it is the power of God. 00:34:57.699 --> 00:35:02.279 And so do you view the cross as foolishness? 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:05.879 Do you not see any need for it in your life? 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:10.119 The Bible says that we have all sinned 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:12.179 and that the penalty for sin is death, 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:15.719 eternal and total separation from God. 00:35:17.919 --> 00:35:20.219 So I urge you, if that's you, 00:35:20.379 --> 00:35:23.559 to recognize that our sin is infinitely serious. 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:28.980 I urge you to recognize that the death of Jesus on the cross 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:32.340 is proportionate to the extremity of our sins. 00:35:34.259 --> 00:35:36.239 That what Christ suffered on the cross 00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:39.820 is actually a picture of our situation without Christ. 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:43.559 Because without Christ, we are enslaved to sin. 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:45.739 Without Christ, we are condemned under the law. 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:49.380 Without Christ, we are due death. 00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:53.139 But there is good news, right? 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:56.019 That no matter how great your rebellion, 00:35:56.159 --> 00:35:58.320 no matter how ugly your sin, 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:02.019 Christ has come to take our sin away. 00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:05.019 Christ has paid the penalty for our sin in full. 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:08.440 It says in 2 Corinthians 5, 21, 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:11.019 For our sake, God made Jesus to be sin, 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:12.139 who knew no sin, 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:16.420 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:20.420 And so I urge you to turn to Christ, 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:22.259 to acknowledge him as your Savior. 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:26.460 To share in the victory of Jesus. 00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:29.880 And for those of us who are believers, 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:33.099 let's be sure not to overlook the cross, 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:35.860 but to be able to rejoice in it, 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:38.900 knowing that Jesus experienced the misery 00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:41.420 and the separation from God that we deserve. 00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.440 That through his blood, 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.820 our sins have been forgiven. 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:45.759 That we have direct access to the Father 00:36:45.759 --> 00:36:48.299 and we are seen as holy and blameless in his sight. 00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:54.620 And let's also be willing to identify with the cross. 00:36:56.620 --> 00:36:59.620 We share in the sufferings of Christ. 00:37:00.740 --> 00:37:01.519 Paul says, 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:05.139 let us resolve to know nothing except Christ Jesus 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:06.780 and him crucified. 00:37:07.820 --> 00:37:10.539 So knowing that we are united with him in his death, 00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:14.800 much more so we are united with him in his resurrection. 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:17.619 And that is the good news of the cross. 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:19.679 That is the good news of the work of Jesus. 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.980 Both his resurrection, 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.199 both his death, 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:23.920 and also his resurrection. 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:26.000 And we can rejoice in that today. 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:28.059 Let's pray. 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:34.860 Lord, thank you for the glory of the cross. 00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:40.619 God, thank you for sending your son 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:44.300 because of your great love for us 00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:46.059 who endured the cross, 00:37:46.820 --> 00:37:47.800 physical suffering, 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.519 public shame, 00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:52.559 separation from the Father on our behalf. 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:56.039 Lord, thank you for making a way 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:58.139 that we can be in relationship with you, 00:37:58.219 --> 00:38:00.119 that you see us as holy and blameless. 00:38:00.259 --> 00:38:02.279 You have given us the righteousness of Christ. 00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:05.639 Lord, for those who do not know you, 00:38:07.139 --> 00:38:09.279 God, we ask that you soften their hearts, 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:12.119 that you reveal to them their sin, 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:16.139 the vanity of their life apart from you. 00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:19.799 Help them to experience 00:38:19.799 --> 00:38:22.859 the welcome that you offer, 00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:26.519 your desire for us to share in your victory. 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:29.739 Let that be our joy today. 00:38:29.879 --> 00:38:31.440 Let that be our joy as we 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:35.099 look forward to celebrating your resurrection next week. 00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:37.480 We praise in Jesus' name. 00:38:37.699 --> 00:38:37.900 Amen. 00:38:41.839 --> 00:38:43.859 Now we're going to sing our last hymn, 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:45.019 The Power of the Cross. 00:38:46.139 --> 00:39:03.759 Christ on the road to 00:39:03.760 --> 00:39:11.140 See the dawn of the darkest day, 00:39:11.140 --> 00:39:18.400 Christ on the road to Calvary, 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:23.380 Tried by sinful men, 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:28.100 Torn and beaten there, 00:39:28.099 --> 00:39:34.480 Nailed to a cross of wood. 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:41.940 This the how of the cross. 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:50.920 Christ became sin for us, 00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:56.300 To the grave. 00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:58.500 O'er the wrath, 00:39:58.500 --> 00:40:05.659 We stand forgiven at the cross. 00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:13.940 O'er the wrath, 00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:17.779 Oh, to see the pain, 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:22.239 Written on your face, 00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:28.839 Bearing the awesome weight of sin, 00:40:28.840 --> 00:40:30.760 of sin 00:40:30.760 --> 00:40:35.880 every bitter thought 00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:39.980 every evil deed 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:43.420 crowning your blood 00:40:43.420 --> 00:40:45.680 stained brow 00:40:45.680 --> 00:40:49.640 this low power 00:40:49.640 --> 00:40:53.800 of the cross 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:57.640 Christ became 00:40:57.639 --> 00:41:03.079 sin for us 00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:07.839 took the blame 00:41:07.839 --> 00:41:10.519 bore the rough 00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:13.679 we stand forgiven 00:41:13.679 --> 00:41:18.019 at the cross 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:31.159 now the daylight flees 00:41:31.159 --> 00:41:34.460 now the ground beneath 00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:39.900 quakes as its maker 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:44.220 bows his head 00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:48.519 curtain torn in two 00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:53.039 dead are raised to life 00:41:53.039 --> 00:41:59.059 finish the victory cry 00:41:59.059 --> 00:42:07.139 this is the palm of the cross 00:42:07.139 --> 00:42:11.059 Christ became 00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:15.619 sin for us 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:21.059 took the blame 00:42:21.059 --> 00:42:23.059 took the blame 00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:26.059 hath we stand forgiven 00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:28.500 at the cross 00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:42.500 oh to see my name 00:42:42.500 --> 00:42:46.940 written in the word 00:42:46.940 --> 00:42:50.699 for through your suffering 00:42:50.699 --> 00:42:55.019 I am free 00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:59.239 death is crushed to death 00:42:59.239 --> 00:43:03.480 life is mine to live 00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:10.559 one through your selfless love 00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:15.000 this is the power 00:43:15.000 --> 00:43:17.500 of the cross 00:43:17.500 --> 00:43:22.880 son of God 00:43:22.880 --> 00:43:26.320 slave for us 00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:29.320 what a love 00:43:29.320 --> 00:43:32.880 what a cost 00:43:32.880 --> 00:43:36.039 we stand forgiven 00:43:36.039 --> 00:43:39.320 at the cross 00:43:39.320 --> 00:43:43.320 what a love 00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:47.059 what a cost 00:43:47.059 --> 00:43:50.480 we stand forgiven 00:43:50.480 --> 00:43:55.639 at the cross 00:43:55.639 --> 00:44:01.860 will you stand with me 00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.840 to receive the benediction 00:44:02.840 --> 00:44:09.360 it's taken from Hebrews 13 00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:11.980 now may the God of peace 00:44:11.980 --> 00:44:12.920 who through the blood 00:44:12.920 --> 00:44:13.940 of the eternal covenant 00:44:13.940 --> 00:44:15.140 brought back from the dead 00:44:15.140 --> 00:44:16.059 our Lord Jesus 00:44:16.059 --> 00:44:17.079 that great shepherd 00:44:17.079 --> 00:44:17.880 of the sheep 00:44:17.880 --> 00:44:20.460 equip you with everything good 00:44:20.460 --> 00:44:21.900 for doing his will 00:44:21.900 --> 00:44:25.019 that may he work in us 00:44:25.019 --> 00:44:26.820 what is pleasing to him 00:44:26.820 --> 00:44:28.260 through Jesus Christ 00:44:28.260 --> 00:44:29.420 to whom be glory 00:44:29.420 --> 00:44:30.640 forever and ever 00:44:30.640 --> 00:44:31.840 Amen 00:44:39.360 --> 00:45:01.240 Christ alone 00:45:01.240 --> 00:45:04.079 my hope is found 00:45:04.079 --> 00:45:06.260 he is my light 00:45:06.260 --> 00:45:07.680 my strength 00:45:07.679 --> 00:45:09.259 my song 00:45:09.259 --> 00:45:11.799 this cornerstone 00:45:11.799 --> 00:45:14.839 this solid ground 00:45:14.839 --> 00:45:18.000 firm through the fiercest drought 00:45:18.000 --> 00:45:20.039 and storm 00:45:20.039 --> 00:45:22.940 what heights of love 00:45:22.940 --> 00:45:25.339 what depths of peace 00:45:25.339 --> 00:45:28.659 when fears are stilled 00:45:28.659 --> 00:45:30.739 when striving cease 00:45:30.739 --> 00:45:33.119 my comforter 00:45:33.119 --> 00:45:36.239 my all-in-law 00:45:36.239 --> 00:45:40.359 here in the love of Christ 00:45:40.359 --> 00:45:41.719 I stand 00:45:41.719 --> 00:45:49.299 in Christ alone 00:45:49.299 --> 00:45:52.599 who took on flesh 00:45:52.599 --> 00:45:54.679 fullness of God 00:45:54.679 --> 00:45:57.239 in helpless faith 00:45:57.239 --> 00:46:00.359 this gift of love 00:46:00.359 --> 00:46:02.399 and righteousness 00:46:02.399 --> 00:46:05.399 scorned by the ones 00:46:05.399 --> 00:46:08.239 he came to save 00:46:08.239 --> 00:46:11.519 till on that cross 00:46:11.519 --> 00:46:13.819 as Jesus died 00:46:13.819 --> 00:46:16.359 the wrath of God 00:46:16.359 --> 00:46:18.619 was satisfied 00:46:18.619 --> 00:46:21.739 for every sin 00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:24.739 on him was laid 00:46:24.739 --> 00:46:26.900 here in the death 00:46:26.900 --> 00:46:28.679 of Christ 00:46:28.679 --> 00:46:30.819 I live 00:46:30.820 --> 00:46:37.940 there in the ground 00:46:37.940 --> 00:46:40.860 his body lay 00:46:40.860 --> 00:46:42.980 light of the world 00:46:42.980 --> 00:46:45.039 by darkness 00:46:45.039 --> 00:46:45.940 slain 00:46:45.940 --> 00:46:49.160 then bursting forth 00:46:49.160 --> 00:46:51.440 in glorious day 00:46:51.440 --> 00:46:53.820 up from the grave 00:46:53.820 --> 00:46:54.559 he rose 00:46:54.559 --> 00:46:55.019 up from the grave 00:46:55.019 --> 00:46:55.559 he rose 00:46:55.559 --> 00:46:56.679 again 00:46:56.679 --> 00:46:59.960 and as he stands 00:46:59.960 --> 00:47:01.700 in victory 00:47:01.700 --> 00:47:03.639 sin's curse 00:47:03.639 --> 00:47:05.220 has lost 00:47:05.220 --> 00:47:07.599 its grip on me 00:47:07.599 --> 00:47:10.420 for I am his 00:47:10.420 --> 00:47:13.360 and he is mine 00:47:13.360 --> 00:47:16.599 bought with the precious blood 00:47:16.599 --> 00:47:18.719 of Christ 00:47:18.719 --> 00:47:19.839 heaven 00:47:19.839 --> 00:47:44.699 and some