WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.759 Now, if you have a Bible, you might want to turn back to Luke chapter 23 on page 1060, 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:19.519 ! And we're going to think for a few moments about the reality that Jesus died as He has told us to show His own love to us. 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:23.240 So, we're going to think about love for a few minutes. 00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:29.359 We recognize, I think, as people that we have a capacity to love. 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:31.000 It is something that is basic. 00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:33.539 It is something that is universal. 00:00:34.019 --> 00:00:37.140 It cuts across all times and all cultures. 00:00:38.119 --> 00:00:45.739 As Christians, we very much believe that part of being made in the image of God is the ability to love, 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:48.519 because God is love, the Bible tells us. 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:53.019 I think we also recognize the centrality of love. 00:00:53.020 --> 00:01:00.820 If we think about it at the cultural level, it's so important to our stories and our songs and our movies. 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:11.680 So many religious and ethical movements are built around love for a particular idea or a particular set of values. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:21.320 And think about just how central love is for ourselves, to the desires deep down within us, to love and to be loved. 00:01:22.860 --> 00:01:27.320 At the same time, I think it's fair to say that there is some confusion about love. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:31.519 Sometimes it's one of those words we hear so often, but it can be hard to define. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:35.639 Maybe partly because we've emptied it of meaning. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:38.379 We apply it across the board. 00:01:38.679 --> 00:01:41.299 So, you know, we might love our job or our car. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:44.739 We might love our coffee or a nice cafe. 00:01:45.339 --> 00:01:48.359 But we also love our family and we love our God. 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:51.799 So, what do we mean when we talk about love? 00:01:51.799 --> 00:02:00.780 And when we have conversations and when we're moving around, we recognize that not everybody shares the same understanding of what love is. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:05.840 For many people, to hear the word love is to think of a mere emotion. 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:07.840 It's just about a feeling. 00:02:08.079 --> 00:02:11.199 It's about how I feel about someone or something. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:14.960 We talk about falling in love and falling out of love. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:21.900 And I'm sure I'm not the only person to recognize the problem that comes with that. 00:02:22.040 --> 00:02:29.159 If the feeling goes, often so the relationship goes and the commitment goes. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:35.319 And when we lose our sense of love as a verb, as an active thing, 00:02:36.700 --> 00:02:42.140 then we have the pain of broken marriages and families, a lack of trust and security. 00:02:42.139 --> 00:02:45.179 So, there's confusion about love. 00:02:45.239 --> 00:02:48.039 But something that we can all agree on, I think, 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:52.539 and this would be true, I think, if we went into the streets of Edinburgh today 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:56.099 and to ask people what they thought about costly love, 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:59.539 it's recognized as a positive thing. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:06.479 Take as an example, if we were to go to the Belfast Titanic Museum, 00:03:06.579 --> 00:03:08.819 or if you know anything about the Titanic, 00:03:09.019 --> 00:03:11.979 if you've listened to any of the podcasts, if you've read up on it, 00:03:12.139 --> 00:03:16.379 then you will probably know something of the story of the engineers on the Titanic. 00:03:16.559 --> 00:03:19.539 So, when it became apparent that the ship was going down, 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:22.179 they didn't leave their posts. 00:03:22.739 --> 00:03:26.679 They continued for as long as possible to keep the engines running, 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:28.059 to keep the lights on, 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:32.159 to allow the people on the upper decks as much chance as possible 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:35.119 to escape and to find a life raft. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:38.460 The engineers went down with the ship. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:42.099 But you won't hear anyone saying of them, 00:03:42.200 --> 00:03:45.080 well, what a waste, what a foolish action. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:51.159 Rather, even over a century on, it's still regarded as a heroic act. 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:54.620 We understand that sacrifice is good, 00:03:55.420 --> 00:03:56.439 that it's noble. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:59.840 So, when Jesus says, 00:04:00.460 --> 00:04:02.759 greater love has no one than this, 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:05.680 to lay down one's life for one's friends, 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:08.099 that resonates. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.199 We agree with that. 00:04:11.579 --> 00:04:13.099 And remarkably, with Jesus, 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:16.439 that's not just a nice philosophical idea. 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:19.240 That's an easy thing to say, perhaps. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:21.659 Jesus says it, 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:24.120 and Jesus shows it. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:28.879 Jesus practices what he preached. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:33.000 So, we're going to think this evening about what Jesus says about love 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:34.300 and how he shows that love. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:35.959 We're going to think about Good Friday, 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:38.319 and just for a few moments together, 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:41.199 to give thanks for the goodness of Jesus' love, 00:04:41.660 --> 00:04:44.060 to recognize that it was a costly, 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:48.139 self-giving, sacrificing everything love 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:49.879 for his own people. 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:53.019 Or we could put it another way, 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:58.459 a love so powerful that it would turn enemies into friends. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:03.939 And we're going to think about why we call this day Good Friday. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:08.500 It is good for all who look upon the cross of Jesus 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.339 as the supreme demonstration 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:14.659 of Jesus' own love for us. 00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:18.099 It is a good day with good news 00:05:18.099 --> 00:05:20.639 for all who receive Jesus 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:23.459 and his saving death 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.759 as our supreme treasure. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:27.579 So, what we're going to do, 00:05:27.719 --> 00:05:28.519 just really briefly, 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:30.079 is we're going to take a look at the events 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:31.480 that we've heard Luke record, 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:33.639 and we're going to ask, 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:37.319 how do we experience that love for ourselves? 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:40.300 So that we might together recognize 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:41.779 with the Apostle Paul 00:05:41.779 --> 00:05:46.480 that the message of Jesus' death 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:48.219 matters only when it becomes 00:05:48.219 --> 00:05:51.120 personal testimony in our lives. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:53.340 that all of us might say with Paul 00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:54.860 in Galatians 2, 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:56.340 the Son of God loved me 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:58.220 and gave himself 00:05:58.220 --> 00:06:00.060 for me. 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:03.199 So let's turn first of all to the events 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:04.220 and to ask ourselves, 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:06.060 how does Luke's record 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:09.500 help us to see Jesus' love? 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:12.899 So we're saying that his death on the cross 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:14.939 is the ultimate demonstration of his love, 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:17.540 but Luke has so helpfully recorded for us 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:20.199 the hours leading up to his death. 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:22.560 And some of those events, 00:06:22.660 --> 00:06:24.540 they really serve to magnify 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:26.219 the love of Jesus 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:27.379 as we see 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:30.100 that his movement towards the cross 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:30.980 is deliberate. 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:35.079 That the love he is going to put on display 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:37.159 is costly and gracious 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:39.060 and life-transforming. 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:42.079 So if you have a Bible, 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:44.060 you can scan these verses with me. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:46.300 In Luke chapter 22 and verse 39, 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:47.139 we were told 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:49.379 that Jesus went out as usual 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:50.500 to the Mount of Olives. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:52.240 Now that's a significant truth 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.379 because Judas, the betrayer, 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:57.579 knows exactly where Jesus is going to be. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:06:59.420 And so we're told 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:01.600 that Jesus will not avoid arrest, 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:02.480 but he goes 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:04.540 as was the plan. 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:05.980 Jesus is willing 00:07:05.980 --> 00:07:07.560 to embrace the cross 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:10.180 to show us the love of God. 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:13.100 We move further 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.800 to verse 42 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:16.540 and we hear Jesus pray 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:19.600 and recognize Dr. Luke tells us 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.459 the agony that Jesus faces. 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:25.540 His face dropping sweats of blood 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:26.980 as he prays, 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:27.360 Father, 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:28.980 if you are willing, 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:30.639 take this cup from me, 00:07:31.280 --> 00:07:32.540 yet not my will, 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:34.920 but yours be done. 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:37.400 Jesus faces up 00:07:37.400 --> 00:07:38.740 to drinking the cup, 00:07:38.840 --> 00:07:41.439 this image of the Father's wrath, 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:42.860 the wrath of God 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:43.680 against sin, 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:44.600 against sinners. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:46.560 Jesus will stand 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.879 in the place of sinners 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:49.980 and will take that cup 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:52.460 and he knows 00:07:52.460 --> 00:07:54.160 the horror and agony 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:55.200 he will experience 00:07:55.200 --> 00:07:56.420 and yet he commits, 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:56.960 doesn't he, 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.040 to the Father's will. 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:01.060 And so we see 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.540 the love of Christ Jesus 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:03.520 that sees him 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:04.540 drink the cup 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:05.439 that you and I 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.080 ought to drink. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.200 The story continues 00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:11.640 as Jesus is arrested. 00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:15.100 From verse 48 to 53, 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:16.040 we discover 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:17.379 that as Judas 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:19.759 and a host of men 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:21.360 armed come to him, 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:22.560 Jesus goes 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.200 with the betrayer. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:25.759 Jesus doesn't fight arrest. 00:08:25.820 --> 00:08:26.200 He could. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:26.980 He could call down 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:28.540 legions of angels. 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:30.760 But as prophesied 00:08:30.760 --> 00:08:32.080 in love, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.560 Jesus walks silent 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:37.460 before his accusers. 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:42.960 And then in chapter 23, 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:45.019 as Jesus is walking 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:45.779 to the cross, 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:47.039 by now he has endured 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:48.899 the injustices 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:50.960 of false arrest 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:51.980 and false trial. 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.080 He has been abused. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:54.120 He has been beaten. 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:55.340 He's experiencing 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:56.539 public mockery. 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:57.099 Mockery. 00:08:57.719 --> 00:09:00.279 His body is weakening 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:01.360 due to blood loss 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.439 because of beatings. 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:03.399 And still, 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:06.339 he looks outside 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:06.819 of himself 00:09:06.819 --> 00:09:08.899 to see those women. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:11.199 Daughters of Jerusalem, 00:09:11.319 --> 00:09:12.439 do not weep for me. 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.659 Weep for yourselves 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:17.000 and for your children. 00:09:17.219 --> 00:09:18.759 Jesus understands 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.439 judgment that will come, 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:21.980 persecution that will face 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:22.959 his own followers. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:24.259 And Jesus' love, 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:26.320 even walking to the cross, 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:28.440 is selfless, 00:09:29.180 --> 00:09:30.960 concerned for the good 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:32.060 of others. 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:35.180 Verse 34, 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:37.300 Jesus is now 00:09:37.300 --> 00:09:37.700 hanging, 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:39.139 nailed to the cross. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:40.800 And as he is 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:42.100 taking to that place 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:42.879 of execution, 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:45.220 Jesus said, 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:45.720 Father, 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:45.840 Father, 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:47.800 forgive them, 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:50.180 for they do not know 00:09:50.180 --> 00:09:51.060 what they are doing. 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:52.720 When the soldiers 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:53.300 treat him 00:09:53.300 --> 00:09:54.440 as a common criminal, 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.220 as they gamble 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:57.560 at the foot of the cross 00:09:57.560 --> 00:09:58.940 for his clothing, 00:09:59.160 --> 00:10:00.399 Jesus prays 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.360 to seek their forgiveness 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:03.560 because he knows 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:04.960 they do not know 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:05.980 his true identity. 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:08.460 But in this prayer, 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:09.480 aren't we being brought 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:10.480 to see something 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.680 of the effect 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.239 that Jesus' love 00:10:13.239 --> 00:10:13.959 produces 00:10:13.959 --> 00:10:15.439 in his going 00:10:15.439 --> 00:10:16.139 to the cross 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:16.679 to die? 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:18.639 There is in him 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.959 forgiveness. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:24.739 And then in chapter 23, 00:10:25.359 --> 00:10:27.439 and from verse 40 onwards, 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:30.019 we have that remarkable story 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:31.139 of the dying criminal 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.179 who recognizes 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:33.199 something unique 00:10:33.199 --> 00:10:34.079 about Jesus. 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:37.379 Don't you fear God, 00:10:37.439 --> 00:10:38.759 he says to the other criminals, 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:39.500 since you are under 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.579 the same sentence, 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:42.120 we are punished justly, 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:43.780 but this man 00:10:43.780 --> 00:10:45.639 has done nothing wrong. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:47.139 And not only that, 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.300 he turns to Jesus. 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:50.540 Jesus, remember me 00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:51.200 when you come 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:52.080 into your kingdom. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.280 He is dying 00:10:53.280 --> 00:10:54.420 in apparent shame, 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:55.460 but this criminal 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:56.400 is able to see 00:10:56.400 --> 00:10:56.900 the king 00:10:56.900 --> 00:10:58.600 with eternal glory. 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:00.540 And in that moment, 00:11:02.060 --> 00:11:03.020 Jesus' love 00:11:03.020 --> 00:11:04.240 extends 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.879 grace 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.640 to the undeserving 00:11:07.640 --> 00:11:08.500 who looks to him 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.020 with faith. 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:11.059 Jesus says, 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:11.779 today, 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.100 you will be with me 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.480 in paradise. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:19.199 And even as Jesus dies, 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:22.799 we're reminded of his love, 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:24.460 his love for his father 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.779 and the father's love for him. 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.740 Jesus called out 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:27.779 with a loud voice, 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:28.299 Father, 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.399 into your hands, 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:32.720 I commit my spirit. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:33.940 and we are reminded 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:35.960 of the eternal love of God 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:36.779 that established 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:38.580 this eternal plan 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:39.440 of salvation 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:41.100 that culminates 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:41.840 with Jesus, 00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:42.980 the Son of God, 00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:45.000 dying in our place, 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.399 offering us 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.660 an overflowing love 00:11:48.660 --> 00:11:50.019 that we can be brought into. 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.540 So, 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:52.580 as Luke records 00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:54.320 the historical events, 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:56.580 he is at the same time 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:57.940 shining a spotlight 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.300 on the cross 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:02.099 as the great demonstration 00:12:02.099 --> 00:12:03.699 of Jesus' 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:05.859 self-giving love. 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:09.819 Well, 00:12:09.839 --> 00:12:11.120 if those are the events, 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:12.740 we need to turn, 00:12:12.859 --> 00:12:13.120 secondly, 00:12:13.219 --> 00:12:13.699 to think about 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:14.639 our experience 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.839 of them, 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:17.359 or more particularly, 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.799 how can you and I 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:19.299 know 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:21.279 this love of Christ 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:22.519 for ourselves? 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:26.019 You and I, 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:26.819 we know the feeling 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.639 when we read 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.559 about those 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:30.299 titanic engineers, 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:32.259 or when we hear 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.259 the news reports 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:33.960 of a parent 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:35.600 who sacrifices 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.079 themselves 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:37.439 to save a child, 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.699 or we hear 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:39.419 of soldiers 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.340 acting with great 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.600 courage under fire 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.840 to protect soldiers 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:43.559 or civilians 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:44.279 at the cost 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:45.220 of their lives. 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:47.240 We admire them. 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:49.840 We honour them. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.799 We recognise 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.779 their goodness. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:55.100 But it's a story 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.000 that remains 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.139 outside of us. 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:58.740 It doesn't impact us 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.299 beyond that, 00:12:59.419 --> 00:12:59.720 perhaps, 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.340 temporary emotional 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.120 response. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.220 With a cross, 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:05.799 it's different, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.579 and it needs to be 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:06.840 different. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.740 The cross of Christ 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.379 is unique. 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.500 This supreme 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.559 demonstration of 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.059 Jesus' 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.059 self-giving love, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.720 though it happened 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.419 in history 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:15.240 some 2,000 years ago, 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.539 it's a story 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:17.759 of the love of God 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.519 that can become 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.639 a vital part 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:21.059 of each of our stories, 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.539 and indeed, 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.839 it must become 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:24.759 a part of our story. 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.339 This love 00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:28.839 that Jesus 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:29.939 puts on display 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:30.620 is a love 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:32.019 that must be received 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:33.139 personally. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.000 It's not enough, 00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:34.659 because lots of people 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.879 admire it from a distance, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.699 but that's not enough. 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:38.939 We must embrace it 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.219 and enter 00:13:40.219 --> 00:13:41.959 into it. 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:44.480 Let's just remind 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:44.939 ourselves 00:13:44.939 --> 00:13:45.959 for a moment, 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.959 why does God say 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:48.120 we need this love? 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.980 Why does He put this love 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.840 on display 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.779 that Good Friday? 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.879 Let's make it personal. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.779 It's because of my sin. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.820 It's because of your sin. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.320 That sin that separates me 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.060 from God. 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.179 That sin that robs 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:07.080 Christ Jesus 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:08.159 of His glory 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:09.299 and the worship 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.299 that He deserves. 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:13.579 As the hymn writer 00:14:13.579 --> 00:14:13.919 put it, 00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:14.879 it was my sin 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:16.879 that held Him there 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:19.039 until it was accomplished. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.839 His dying breath 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.799 has brought me life. 00:14:21.859 --> 00:14:22.339 I know 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:24.079 that it is finished. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.159 It's my sin. 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.579 It's my guilt. 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.539 It's your guilt 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.500 that needs to be 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.740 atoned for. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:32.399 It's the wrath of God 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.820 that must be satisfied 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:36.240 for my wrongdoing. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.460 As the hymn writer 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:40.940 puts it, 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.480 Jesus paid it all. 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.879 All to Him I owe. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.980 Sin had left 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:48.500 its crimson stain. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.320 Christ washed me 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.899 white as snow. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.779 We need this love 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.080 when we come to recognize 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:59.080 that without Jesus' death 00:14:59.080 --> 00:14:59.820 on our behalf. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.080 We have no righteousness 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.879 to claim. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.840 We have no appeal 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.440 to God's justice. 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.360 Rather, 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:08.120 we stand in desperate need 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:10.240 of His mercy. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.240 And as we recognize that, 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.540 we hear the good news for us 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:19.139 of God's love for us in Christ. 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:21.400 We hear Jesus say, 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:23.520 the Son of Man came 00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:24.620 to give His life 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:26.360 as a ransom for many. 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:28.879 We hear Him say, 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.559 greater love has no one 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.100 than this, 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.620 that He lay down His life 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.879 for His friends. 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:36.700 Or we turn to 00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:38.159 words of Paul 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.340 in Ephesians 5, 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.980 and we're reminded 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:42.919 that Christ loved the church 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:44.939 and gave Himself up 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:46.220 for her. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:49.679 And that begs the question, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.919 am I among the many? 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:56.079 Can I belong to the church? 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:58.360 Can I become 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:01.419 a friend of God? 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:03.759 The cross of Christ 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.639 is something that must 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:06.219 become profoundly personal 00:16:06.219 --> 00:16:07.719 for each one of us. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.379 And as we ask those questions, 00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:10.479 the answer comes 00:16:10.479 --> 00:16:11.319 in God's Word 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:13.199 again and again. 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.759 Believe in the Lord Jesus 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.419 and you will be saved. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:20.959 The promise of John chapter 1, 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.319 to all who did receive Him, 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.399 who believe in His name, 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.620 He gave the right 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:26.559 to become children of God. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.899 Romans 10, 13, 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:30.199 everyone who calls 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.179 on the name of the Lord 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:33.399 will be saved. 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.019 At the cross, 00:16:37.099 --> 00:16:38.339 we are led to recognize 00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:39.719 that Jesus paid 00:16:39.719 --> 00:16:42.360 the highest price possible 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:45.680 to give you and I 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:47.399 the greatest gift possible 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:50.060 by demonstrating 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:52.879 His great love 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.539 so that we can enjoy 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:56.440 the glorious love of God 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:58.060 for ourselves. 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.519 To know that love, 00:17:01.300 --> 00:17:02.539 we need to call on Him. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:05.000 We need to believe in Him. 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.740 And when we do, 00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.819 we become His friends. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.779 We become one of the many. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.960 We become part of the church. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.559 And we can say, 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.299 the Son of God, 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:15.940 He loved me. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.160 And He gave Himself 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.819 for me. 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:24.299 To help us think some more 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:26.299 about the wonder of the cross, 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:27.259 we're going to sing 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:29.279 our closing hymn, 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.559 which is when I survey 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:33.879 the wondrous cross. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.420 And after we sing, 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.460 well maybe stay standing 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.660 and I'll close in prayer. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:41.359 Let's pray. 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.359 00:17:41.359 --> 00:18:11.339 Thank you.