WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.679 So, page 1023. 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:14.939 So, from verse 33, 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:18.920 At the sixth hour, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:22.420 And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.240 Eloi, Eloi, lama sabaxanai, 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:28.740 which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:00:28.739 --> 00:00:32.579 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:34.140 Listen, he's calling Elijah. 00:00:34.579 --> 00:00:38.399 One man ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar, 00:00:38.839 --> 00:00:41.140 put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 00:00:41.839 --> 00:00:47.619 Now, mate, leave me alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down, he said. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:50.200 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 00:00:50.879 --> 00:00:53.560 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:56.619 and when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, 00:00:56.619 --> 00:00:59.119 heard his cry, and saw how he died, he said, 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:01.199 Surely this man was the Son of God. 00:01:01.839 --> 00:01:03.699 Some women were watching from a distance. 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:06.640 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:09.659 and the younger of Joseph and Salome. 00:01:10.179 --> 00:01:13.299 In Galilee, these women had followed him and cared for his needs. 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:17.620 Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:39.680 So Christmas is all about Jesus being born, right? 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:42.560 Well, look at verse 37. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:52.359 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:02:00.379 Here we find Jesus not in the cradle, but dead on the cross. 00:02:00.379 --> 00:02:07.239 Well, you say, where's the story about Jesus being born in a stable, 00:02:07.399 --> 00:02:09.319 wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger? 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:11.079 Let's do that story. 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:12.519 We like that story. 00:02:12.859 --> 00:02:14.919 Please, can we do the Christmas story? 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:23.579 Well, you may have noticed that Mark's Gospel doesn't include anything about Jesus' birth. 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:27.740 There's no mention of angels appearing to Mary and Joseph. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:32.379 There's no account of the shepherds and the magi who brought gifts. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:36.340 We read nothing about the escape from King Herod, 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:39.200 who had ordered the killing of all the baby boys. 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:44.340 Mark has nothing to say about the birth of Jesus. 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:49.560 Instead, he jumps straight to the last three years of his life. 00:02:50.420 --> 00:02:56.320 In fact, he dedicates almost a third of his book to the death of Jesus. 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:59.060 Why does he do that? 00:02:59.900 --> 00:03:01.599 Does Mark not like Christmas? 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:05.560 Was he a bit of a Christmas scrooge, a bar humbug? 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:08.599 I'm not going to write anything about the Christmas story. 00:03:10.799 --> 00:03:17.959 No, Mark wants us to see that the reason Jesus was born was to die. 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:24.100 For Mark, the centre of the story is not the cradle, but the cross. 00:03:25.040 --> 00:03:31.520 You see, the crucifixion, the death of Jesus, is the climax of the Christmas story. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:36.260 Without the death of Jesus, there is no Christmas story. 00:03:36.259 --> 00:03:42.099 So as we come to see the death of Jesus, 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:48.959 we're going to look at three things that will help us to celebrate Christmas better. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:54.340 Instead of the light coming into the world, 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:59.359 we're going to see darkness over the land. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:04.560 And instead of finding a baby wrapped in cloths, 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:09.220 we're going to see the tearing of a curtain. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:13.480 And instead of shepherds coming to worship, 00:04:14.600 --> 00:04:18.340 we find the confession of a soldier. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:25.580 So three things, darkness, the curtain, and the soldier. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:27.199 First of all, the darkness. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:33.459 As Jesus was dying, something extraordinary happened. 00:04:33.979 --> 00:04:35.000 Verse 33. 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:39.919 At the sixth hour, that's twelve midday, 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:46.079 darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:48.819 That's three in the afternoon. 00:04:49.779 --> 00:04:53.959 So for three hours, when the sun was at its highest, 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:57.180 and when the sun was at its brightest, 00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:02.239 the whole land went completely dark, pitch black. 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:05.299 One moment bright shining sun, 00:05:05.739 --> 00:05:09.120 the next complete and utter darkness. 00:05:11.179 --> 00:05:11.799 Why? 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:14.659 What did it all mean? 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:18.939 Well, we don't have to think very hard 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:24.180 to associate darkness with evil and disorder. 00:05:25.760 --> 00:05:28.060 Do you remember the creation story? 00:05:30.820 --> 00:05:33.560 This is what it says at the very beginning of our Bible. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:35.940 Now the earth was formless and empty. 00:05:37.340 --> 00:05:42.840 Darkness was over the face of the surface of the deep. 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:47.579 The earth, in its unformed shape, 00:05:47.719 --> 00:05:49.699 was covered in darkness. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:55.299 Literally, it's telling us the earth was in chaos and disorder. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:59.799 And then God spoke into that darkness. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:00.899 And he said, 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:02.079 Let there be light. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:03.819 And there was light. 00:06:04.479 --> 00:06:06.259 By God's power, 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.860 the darkness was dispelled. 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:10.659 And in its place, 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:13.240 creation came about. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:14.539 And we see harmony. 00:06:15.159 --> 00:06:16.139 We see beauty. 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:19.620 We see creation in all its perfection. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:27.019 And that's a picture of what we see happening at the cross. 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:29.680 Because again, 00:06:30.039 --> 00:06:31.159 at this moment, 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:32.899 as Jesus dies, 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:34.939 for three hours, 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.279 darkness descends again, 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:38.579 look at verse 33, 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:41.740 over the whole land. 00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:48.759 Evil and disorder seem to rule. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:52.139 We have witnessed the false charges. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:55.039 We've seen the unjust trial, 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:57.240 the beating and the mocking. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:00.539 The guilty Barabbas is released. 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:04.139 And now the innocent Jesus dies. 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:07.800 And as we look in on this event, 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:09.480 as the darkness comes down, 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:12.339 it's as if darkness has won. 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:16.019 Satan and the evil powers of darkness 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:20.279 seem to have defeated and destroyed God's King. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:23.680 The light that came into the world 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:26.060 has been extinguished. 00:07:26.599 --> 00:07:29.459 Chaos and disorder rule. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:35.939 But look what happens on the cross. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:39.459 At the ninth hour, 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:43.379 the darkness is lifted. 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:46.819 The light returns. 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:49.420 The sun begins to shine. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:50.180 You see, 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:53.159 just as God spoke into the darkness 00:07:53.159 --> 00:07:54.560 of the disorder 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:56.779 and created light, 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:59.579 so at the cross, 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:02.319 Jesus dispels the darkness 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:04.879 of evil and disorder. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:07.199 To all looking on, 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:10.000 this seems the end of a life. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.560 But at the cross, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:14.980 Jesus shows his mighty power. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.620 He shows his victory 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:19.819 as he defeats Satan 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:22.579 and the powers of darkness. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.720 Through his death, 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:26.540 the Bible tells us 00:08:26.540 --> 00:08:29.939 that he overcomes the chaos and disorder. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:31.639 Through his death, 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:33.899 he defeats Satan 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:36.440 and evil and disorder. 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:38.960 and in its place 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:41.100 and into people's lives 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:42.060 who trust him, 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.140 he brings about harmony 00:08:44.140 --> 00:08:45.360 and beauty. 00:08:45.900 --> 00:08:46.320 Literally, 00:08:46.660 --> 00:08:47.680 it tells us 00:08:47.680 --> 00:08:48.860 that he brings about 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.100 a new creation 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.720 into the life of each person. 00:08:53.880 --> 00:08:55.400 And he brings about 00:08:55.400 --> 00:08:56.480 a new creation 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:58.260 that is to come. 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:01.440 Jesus dispels 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:02.580 evil 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:04.000 and disorder. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.120 But that's not 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:07.179 the only darkness. 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:10.679 As Jesus dies 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.299 on the cross, 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:12.080 something else 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:13.120 terrible happens. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.179 Verse 34. 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:17.100 At the ninth hour, 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:19.539 Jesus cried out 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.720 in a loud voice, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:22.399 Eloi, Eloi, 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:23.679 lama sabbatani, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:24.740 which means, 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:25.799 my God, 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:26.840 my God, 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:28.080 why have you 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:28.980 forsaken me? 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.800 Why have you 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:31.460 left me? 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:32.519 Why have you 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.700 rejected and 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:34.740 abandoned me? 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:38.240 The Father 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:39.379 who had said, 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.600 you are my Son 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:43.200 whom I love. 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:47.060 Now, 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:47.879 at the moment 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.399 of his greatest need, 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:50.800 the Father 00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:52.300 turns his back 00:09:52.300 --> 00:09:54.019 on the Son 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.820 he loves. 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:56.300 and Jesus 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:57.040 is left 00:09:57.040 --> 00:09:57.820 alone 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:59.040 on the cross, 00:09:59.520 --> 00:10:00.200 isolated 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:01.740 and shut out. 00:10:02.640 --> 00:10:03.100 Why? 00:10:03.780 --> 00:10:04.840 What did it mean? 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:07.360 Well, 00:10:07.400 --> 00:10:08.060 listen to the 00:10:08.060 --> 00:10:09.240 prophet Amos. 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.000 Here, 00:10:11.140 --> 00:10:11.660 the prophet 00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:12.640 is speaking 00:10:12.640 --> 00:10:14.340 of God's 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:14.780 coming 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:15.660 judgment. 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.000 And this is 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:17.620 what he says. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:18.280 You can see it 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:18.980 on the screen. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.320 In that day, 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:21.440 declares the Lord, 00:10:22.140 --> 00:10:23.220 I will make 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.240 the sun go 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.320 down at noon 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:26.800 and darken 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:27.460 the earth 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:28.960 in broad 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.740 daylight. 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.000 Centuries 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.660 before 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:33.560 Christ 00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:34.180 came, 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:35.540 Amos 00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:36.279 spoke of 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:36.740 God's 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:37.139 coming 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:37.660 judgment 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:38.700 and these 00:10:38.700 --> 00:10:38.980 are the 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.600 kinds of 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.180 words he 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:40.639 uses 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.840 to describe 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.700 what that 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:43.100 judgment 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:43.600 would be 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:44.019 like. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:45.399 He is 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.279 describing a 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:46.720 day when 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:47.259 God will 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.180 judge the 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:48.860 sin in 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.500 this world 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.160 and the 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:50.620 rebellion 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:51.540 against him. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:52.360 It's a 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.340 picture of 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:53.860 God's 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.300 judgment 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:55.080 against 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.840 people like 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.580 you and 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:57.000 me. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.360 And now, 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:00.080 as Jesus 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.019 dies on 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:01.639 the cross, 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:02.860 the darkness 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:04.800 falls in 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:06.120 broad daylight. 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:07.399 At noon, 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:07.899 there is 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.879 complete and 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.820 utter darkness 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:10.960 and Jesus 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.000 cries out 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.399 from the 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:12.759 cross, 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:13.779 My God, 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:14.700 my God, 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.960 why have 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:16.700 you forsaken 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.019 me? 00:11:18.420 --> 00:11:19.680 Jesus is 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:20.940 absorbing the 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:21.940 darkness of 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:22.500 God's 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.320 anger and 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:23.820 judgment. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.080 Jesus is 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:26.160 taking my 00:11:26.160 --> 00:11:26.700 sin and 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.460 your sin 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:28.560 on himself 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:29.520 and as a 00:11:29.520 --> 00:11:29.920 result, 00:11:30.400 --> 00:11:31.300 he is 00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:31.840 shut out 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.480 from God. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:33.780 He has 00:11:33.780 --> 00:11:34.560 been abandoned 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:35.600 by God 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:36.660 and rejected. 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:40.200 One author 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:41.040 has helpfully 00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:41.780 put it like 00:11:41.780 --> 00:11:42.260 this. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.600 He describes 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:45.200 it, he says, 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:45.980 at the ninth 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:46.540 hour, 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:47.720 when the 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.360 darkness 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.399 lifts. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:50.960 We'd 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.960 expect that 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:52.560 God's 00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:53.060 judgment 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:54.019 will have 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:54.779 fallen on 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.440 the people 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.100 who are 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.200 killing his 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.019 son. 00:11:59.139 --> 00:11:59.940 But when 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:00.580 the light 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.600 returns, 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.700 only one 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.840 person has 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:05.779 experienced 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.800 God's 00:12:06.800 --> 00:12:07.300 wrath, 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.420 his own 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:09.899 son. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.620 Jesus 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:13.480 suffers the 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:14.259 anger and 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:14.940 judgment of 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:15.860 God for us, 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.899 so as the 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:17.399 darkness 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.080 falls, 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.080 Jesus is 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:19.399 saying, 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.960 I am the 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.659 one who 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.399 has come to 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.539 absorb the 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.779 darkness for 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.159 you. 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:28.519 You see, 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.159 we think of 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:29.659 the Christmas 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.279 story, 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.539 we think of 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.200 the lights, 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:33.399 we think of 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.180 the angels 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:34.940 coming in the 00:12:34.940 --> 00:12:35.659 brightness to 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.340 announce the 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:36.840 story. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.600 Well, at 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.440 the cross, 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.340 the light of 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.659 God shines in 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.200 its most 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.420 brilliant and 00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:45.379 awesome way. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.000 and here 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.879 the light 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.759 comes down 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.820 and Jesus 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:51.159 dispels the 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:51.840 darkness of 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.340 evil and 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.560 disorder and 00:12:53.560 --> 00:12:54.440 he absorbs 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.180 the darkness 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:55.879 of anger 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.000 and judgment. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.200 This is 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.120 what we are 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.879 celebrating 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.139 at Christmas. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:06.940 Second, 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.220 there's the 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:09.600 curtain. 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:12.420 for those 00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:13.399 watching Jesus 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:13.940 die, 00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:15.519 well, they 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:15.920 can see 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:16.680 nothing good 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:17.000 in the 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.420 death of 00:13:17.420 --> 00:13:18.000 this man. 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.320 Verse 35, 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.259 when some 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:21.600 of those 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.460 standing near 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:23.080 heard this, 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:23.440 when they 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:23.860 had heard 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.620 Jesus cry 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:24.899 out, 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:25.620 Eloi, 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.220 Eloi, 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.100 they thought, 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.420 oh, listen, 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:29.320 he's calling 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:29.860 Elijah. 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:31.960 They didn't 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:32.680 quite hear what 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:33.220 he said. 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:34.300 Elijah, you 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:34.940 remember, was 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:35.800 the great prophet 00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:36.620 from the past 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.360 who they 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.320 thought, well, 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.120 if he cried 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:39.720 out to him, 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.100 he might 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:40.500 come and 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.200 rescue him. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.740 Verse 36, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.580 so one man 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.179 ran and he 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:45.960 filled a sponge 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.560 with wine 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.000 vinegar, 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.080 that would be 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:48.580 something to 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.000 try and 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.840 waken Jesus 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.419 up a little 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:50.720 bit, 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:52.139 and he put 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.560 it on a 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:52.960 stick and 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.340 he offered 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:53.740 it to 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.279 Jesus to 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:54.620 drink. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.200 Now, let's 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:56.580 leave him 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.320 alone, let's 00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:57.740 see if 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.639 Elijah comes 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.480 down to 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.039 take him 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.919 down, he 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.360 said. 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:05.100 But Elijah 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.860 doesn't come. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:09.159 Jesus must 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:09.919 die. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.820 There is 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:13.060 no rescue 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:14.379 for Jesus. 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.019 Verse 37, 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:18.399 and with a 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.279 loud cry, 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.340 Jesus 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.679 breathed 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:24.120 his last. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.620 The creator 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.620 of the 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.259 universe 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:31.100 dies. 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.299 He's 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:37.139 and as 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:37.899 he dies, 00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:40.159 to everybody 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.939 who's looking 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.359 at him, 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:42.179 they see it 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:42.740 all as 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.799 useless and 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:44.359 pointless, 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.579 a complete 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:46.339 waste of 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:46.819 time. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.979 But only a 00:14:48.979 --> 00:14:49.599 few hundred 00:14:49.599 --> 00:14:50.439 yards away, 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.299 something 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.259 supernatural 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.659 happened as 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.839 Jesus breathed 00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:55.479 his last. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.059 Look at 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.939 verse 38, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:58.060 the curtain 00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:58.920 of the 00:14:58.920 --> 00:14:59.920 temple was 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:00.600 torn in 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.480 two from 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.520 top to 00:15:02.520 --> 00:15:02.920 bottom. 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.180 Why? 00:15:05.780 --> 00:15:06.360 What did 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:06.960 that mean? 00:15:09.760 --> 00:15:10.680 Well, two 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:11.260 things. 00:15:12.800 --> 00:15:13.780 First, this 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.500 curtain in 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.080 the temple 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:16.440 was a 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:17.620 constant reminder 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.400 to people 00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:19.160 that they 00:15:19.160 --> 00:15:20.180 were separated 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:20.980 from God 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.820 because of 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.320 their sin. 00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:24.140 You remember 00:15:24.140 --> 00:15:24.800 back to the 00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:25.420 story in 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:25.959 creation, 00:15:26.219 --> 00:15:26.699 to the 00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:27.240 garden of 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.519 Eden? 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:28.519 Do you 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:28.939 remember what 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.459 happened to 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:29.959 Adam and 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:30.360 Eve when 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:30.939 they rebelled 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.699 against God? 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.059 They were 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.559 literally shut 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.979 out of 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:36.439 God's 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:36.899 presence. 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:37.860 They were 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.059 banished from 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:39.639 the garden 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.399 of Eden. 00:15:40.979 --> 00:15:41.479 And two 00:15:41.479 --> 00:15:42.379 angels with 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.879 flashing 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.379 swords were 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:44.959 put at the 00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:45.839 gate to stop 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:46.379 them getting 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.299 back into 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:47.860 the garden. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.000 And it 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.679 acted as a 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.519 huge sign 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:50.980 that said 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.319 to them, 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.719 no entry, 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.419 stay away. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:57.299 And so 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:57.699 throughout 00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:58.879 time, the 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.779 temple curtain 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.519 was a 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.639 reminder of 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.199 all of 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:02.599 that. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.779 You see, at 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.519 the centre of 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.120 this great 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.059 temple was 00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:07.679 a building, 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.079 not unlike, 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:09.539 if you could 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.579 imagine, this 00:16:10.579 --> 00:16:11.500 building here, 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.659 or this hall 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.459 that we're in. 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.519 It was called 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.419 the most 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.839 holy place. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.439 It was 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.139 beautifully 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.000 decorated 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.559 with colours 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.360 and images 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.720 that reflected 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.799 the garden 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.700 of Eden. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.919 And together 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.919 this holy 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.580 place 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.720 represented 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.659 God's 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.139 presence. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:33.700 It was 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.360 somehow to 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:34.980 take people 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.440 back in 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.019 their memories 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.419 and their 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:37.340 thoughts to 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.080 the perfection 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.860 of the 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.379 garden of 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.860 Eden where 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.659 God lived 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.059 with his 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.539 people. 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.899 But at the 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.700 entrance to 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.200 this most 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.019 holy place 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:48.439 was this 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.399 large big 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:49.799 curtain. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.299 So if you 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.819 could imagine 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:51.220 a big 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:51.679 curtain 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.059 stretching all 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.399 the way 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.120 across this 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.539 room. 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.079 It was a 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:56.879 huge curtain, 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:57.559 an inch 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.899 thick, solid 00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.659 material, 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.159 30 feet 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.740 long by 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.600 30 feet 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.059 high. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.099 And decorated 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.920 all across 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.680 this curtain 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:08.160 were images 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:09.440 of angels. 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.740 The symbolism 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.700 again was 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.619 crystal clear, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.299 reminding them 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.039 of the angels 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.700 that guarded 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.160 the way 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.920 back into 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.680 Eden. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.460 No entry. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.759 It read 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.400 like a big 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.120 sign to 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:23.620 the people, 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.680 keep out, 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.779 stay away, 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:26.319 you're 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.140 separated 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:27.940 from God. 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:28.779 Sinful 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.660 people can't 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.400 meet with 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:30.980 a perfect 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.779 and a pure 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.160 God. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.100 Darkness 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:34.360 can't come 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.000 into the 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.460 light. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.960 You see 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.019 the consequences 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.920 of rebelling 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:42.740 against God 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.720 means we 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.519 can no longer 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.160 live with 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.039 him and 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.099 enjoy him. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.639 In fact, 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.180 to meet 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.839 with God 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.559 as we 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.259 are means 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.700 we would 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.200 die. 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.440 His purity 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.019 is so 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.500 great, 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.619 his light 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.759 so brilliant 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.240 it would 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.399 consume us. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.039 And there 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.659 is nothing 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:02.200 that we 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.839 can do 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.859 about that. 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.859 God 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:05.859 is 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.859 to 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.619 God 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:07.939 but look 00:18:07.939 --> 00:18:08.139 what 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:08.759 happens 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:11.219 when Jesus 00:18:11.219 --> 00:18:11.939 dies. 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:13.779 Verse 38 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:15.459 the curtain 00:18:15.459 --> 00:18:16.539 of the 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.079 temple 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:18.599 was torn 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.399 in two 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.559 from top 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.519 to bottom. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.240 This is 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.839 something 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:25.019 supernatural. 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.699 No human 00:18:26.699 --> 00:18:27.399 being could 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.099 rip open 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:28.779 this curtain. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:29.699 It was too 00:18:29.699 --> 00:18:30.079 big, 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.699 it was too 00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:31.119 thick, 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.699 it would 00:18:31.699 --> 00:18:32.579 take days 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:32.979 to get 00:18:32.979 --> 00:18:33.500 some kind 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:33.959 of cutting 00:18:33.959 --> 00:18:34.399 implement 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:35.199 to try 00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:35.619 and tear 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.259 this curtain. 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.039 But all 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.579 of a sudden 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.399 it is torn 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:39.259 from top 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.779 to bottom, 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.799 ripped apart. 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:43.719 This is an 00:18:43.719 --> 00:18:44.579 act of God. 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.500 This is an 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.259 act that is 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.019 coming down 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.839 from heaven, 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:48.719 from top 00:18:48.719 --> 00:18:49.239 to bottom 00:18:49.239 --> 00:18:50.099 and it all 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.019 happens just 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.679 as Jesus 00:18:51.679 --> 00:18:52.379 dies. 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.739 And we've 00:18:54.739 --> 00:18:55.159 got to 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.639 remember 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:56.779 that as 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.679 we see 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.140 Jesus 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:58.700 die. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.120 He is 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.720 taking the 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.600 place of 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:02.480 you and 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:02.740 me. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.380 Remember 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:03.759 what he 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.480 cried out? 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.500 My God, 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.200 my God, 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.120 why have 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:07.960 you forsaken 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.299 me? 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.840 On the 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:10.460 cross he's 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.460 taking my 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:11.980 sin and 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.700 your sin. 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.720 And as a 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.259 result of 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.140 becoming like 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.539 us, he 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.340 is shut 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:18.600 out from 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.140 God's 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:19.660 presence. 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.720 He is, 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.240 if you like, 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.480 put beyond 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.539 the curtain. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.259 Jesus was 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.920 the only 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.539 one who 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.220 was pure 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.619 enough, 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:29.379 the only 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.819 one who 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.240 was good 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.740 enough to 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.180 live with 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.480 God. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.139 He was 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:32.879 the only 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.480 one who 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.379 could enjoy 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.460 that intimate 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.339 and perfect 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.059 relationship 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.599 with the 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:37.960 Father. 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.980 But now 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.019 as Jesus 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.319 dies, as 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.539 Jesus takes 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.759 our place, 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.940 he is the 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.960 one separated 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.700 from God 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.519 for us. 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.240 And his 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.960 cry of 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.799 agony from 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.379 the cross 00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:53.599 reflects the 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:55.599 torment of 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.579 hell itself. 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:58.759 Jesus is 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:00.539 plunged into 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.839 the darkness. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.099 But 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:06.619 wonderfully, 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.720 incredibly, 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.419 as Jesus 00:20:10.419 --> 00:20:12.019 dies, the 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.399 curtain is 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.240 torn open. 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.059 The symbolism 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.699 is crystal 00:20:17.699 --> 00:20:18.179 clear. 00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:19.500 As Jesus 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.019 has been 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.000 shut out by 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.559 the Father, 00:20:21.939 --> 00:20:22.759 so the way 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.199 is now 00:20:23.199 --> 00:20:23.980 opened up 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.900 for us. 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.940 The sign 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.579 that read, 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.620 keep out, 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.759 stay away, 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.500 is now 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.299 ripped apart 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.059 so that we 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.920 can enter 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.440 in. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.079 Remember 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.759 back to the 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.259 beginning of 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.079 Mark's Gospel 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.779 when Jesus 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.880 was baptised? 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.259 This is what 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.839 we read. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:47.160 As Jesus 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.819 was coming 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.960 up out of 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.519 the water, 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.339 he saw 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.240 heaven being 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.359 torn open. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.500 Heaven being 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.460 torn open 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.599 and the 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.240 Spirit 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.380 descending 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.120 on him 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.019 like a 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.319 dove. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.200 Literally, 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.099 the presence 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:04.000 of God 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.960 coming 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.940 down. 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:07.740 And that's 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.220 the same 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.019 image that 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.440 we have 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.980 here with 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.460 the curtain. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.099 It's the 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.819 same words 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.440 that Mark 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.140 is using. 00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:13.980 He is 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.440 saying the 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.079 curtain is 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.779 torn open. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.700 Heaven is 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.460 being ripped 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.039 apart. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.099 The entrance 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.779 into the 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.440 presence of 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:20.980 God for 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.860 all eternity 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.839 is made 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.539 available. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.640 God is 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.700 coming down 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.779 to you. 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.900 Where once 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:29.299 we were 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.039 separated, 00:21:30.860 --> 00:21:31.839 we are now 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.319 welcomed. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.000 Where once 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.579 we stood 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.299 in fear, 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.839 we can now 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.660 come without 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.920 fear and 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.019 enjoy God 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.839 and live 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.440 with him 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.339 in all 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.160 his purity. 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:46.480 at Christmas 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.120 we so 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.840 often think 00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.200 of 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.600 Emmanuel, 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.259 God 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.519 with us. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.720 At the 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.240 cross, 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.460 Emmanuel, 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.120 God 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.740 with us 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.580 becomes 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.820 a reality. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.279 The 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.000 Spirit of 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.380 God 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:03.320 comes to 00:22:03.320 --> 00:22:03.779 us to 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.259 dwell 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.040 amongst 00:22:05.040 --> 00:22:05.360 his 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:05.840 people. 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.740 God 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.560 is with 00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:07.840 us 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.519 now. 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.180 He is 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.259 present in 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.860 the lives 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.399 of those 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:11.919 who love 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.519 him and 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.199 trust him 00:22:13.199 --> 00:22:14.019 and heaven 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.819 itself is 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.799 torn open 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.779 so that we 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.379 can live 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.000 with the 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.399 Father 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.319 forever. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.319 This is 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.179 what we 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:23.000 are celebrating 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.619 at Christmas. 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:29.879 and then 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.479 third we 00:22:30.479 --> 00:22:30.879 have the 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.299 soldier. 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.379 Many 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:35.899 people 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.839 witnessed 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.339 the death 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.879 of Jesus. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.259 Over the 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.819 weeks we've 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.239 been looking 00:22:41.239 --> 00:22:41.719 at the 00:22:41.719 --> 00:22:42.539 soldiers who 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.099 beat him, 00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:44.759 the crowds 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.579 who insulted 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:45.939 him, 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.919 the religious 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.719 leaders who 00:22:47.719 --> 00:22:48.359 mocked him 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.459 and then the 00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:49.819 women, 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.079 verse 41, 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.779 who had 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.879 cared for 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.239 him. 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:56.399 But as 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.419 Jesus dies 00:22:57.419 --> 00:22:57.919 on the 00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:58.339 cross, 00:22:58.739 --> 00:22:59.099 there is 00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.299 only one 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:02.219 who has 00:23:02.219 --> 00:23:03.019 been changed 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.919 by Jesus 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:05.479 and that's 00:23:05.479 --> 00:23:06.079 the soldier, 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.419 verse 39. 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.299 And when 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.139 the centurion 00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:10.659 who stood 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.119 there in 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.719 front of 00:23:11.719 --> 00:23:13.000 Jesus heard 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.779 his cry 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.699 and saw 00:23:14.699 --> 00:23:15.199 how he 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:15.619 died, 00:23:15.939 --> 00:23:16.459 he said, 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.879 surely this 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.959 man was 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.779 the son 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.319 of God. 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:22.899 Here's 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.219 this 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.519 great 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.339 commander, 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.980 the one 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.480 who's in 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.259 charge of 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.640 all the 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.000 soldiers. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.940 He's the 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.539 one who's 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.140 in charge 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.559 of this 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.420 execution. 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.680 He's been 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.200 there many 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.299 times up 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.759 to this 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.079 hill. 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:36.680 He's 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.140 witnessed 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.819 many other 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.680 people die 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.500 these terrible 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.019 deaths. 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.539 But for 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.160 this time 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.200 it's 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.579 different. 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:47.759 he has 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.720 heard the 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.740 cry of 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.199 Jesus, 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.619 my God, 00:23:51.939 --> 00:23:52.599 my God, 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:54.279 why have 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.960 you forsaken 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.259 me? 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.759 He has 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.819 seen how 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.899 Jesus died 00:23:58.899 --> 00:23:59.619 as the 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.599 darkness fell 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.240 for three 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.240 hours over 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.740 the whole 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.659 land and 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.059 as he 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.000 stands in 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.559 front of 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.559 this bloodied, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.119 beaten and 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.579 dead body, 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:11.019 as he gazes 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.579 at this 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.179 body in 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:12.619 front of 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:12.759 him, 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.599 stretched out 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:13.939 on the 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.419 cross for 00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:14.979 all to 00:24:14.979 --> 00:24:15.319 see. 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.219 He says, 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.379 surely this 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:19.000 man was 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.879 the Son 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.439 of God. 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.859 His 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.419 confession 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:27.000 is a 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.759 statement of 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.259 belief. 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.339 He has 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.859 come to 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.599 see amongst 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.359 all the 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.000 crowds who 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.039 shout and 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.979 roar and 00:24:34.979 --> 00:24:35.519 mock him, 00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.799 he sees 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.019 who Jesus 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.899 really is. 00:24:41.439 --> 00:24:42.039 Do you 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.619 remember how 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.079 Mark's 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.099 gospel opens 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.399 up? 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.420 The very 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.359 first verse 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.079 of Mark's 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.440 gospel, 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.159 it says 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.460 this, 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.099 the beginning 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.519 of the 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.960 gospel about 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.159 Jesus Christ, 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.599 the Son 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.720 of God. 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.139 Mark has 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.700 been telling 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.159 us the 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.779 whole way 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.519 through his 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.639 story that 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.159 Jesus, 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.079 the Son 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.639 of God, 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.579 the God 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.119 man, 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.259 is the 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.019 good news. 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:11.119 Jesus is 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.799 the good 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.279 news. 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.299 He is 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.920 the Son 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.460 of God, 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.279 but for 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.160 him the 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.879 good news 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.700 reaches its 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.400 climax, 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.460 not in 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.119 the cradle, 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:21.799 but on 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.379 the cross. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.799 This is 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.339 where we 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.579 see Jesus 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.220 in all 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.980 his glory, 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:27.740 in all 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.759 his magnificence, 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.299 in all 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.079 his beauty. 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.339 So this 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:32.920 Christmas, 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:33.660 my 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.559 encouragement 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.099 to us 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:35.699 all is 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:36.099 this, 00:25:36.719 --> 00:25:37.339 is to 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.419 come like 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:38.740 this 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.219 soldier, 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.359 and not 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:41.939 to look 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.759 into the 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.199 cradle, 00:25:44.719 --> 00:25:45.379 but to 00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:46.159 stand as 00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.759 this soldier 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.399 did in 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:47.879 front of 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.519 the cross. 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.419 Look at 00:25:50.419 --> 00:25:51.439 that bloodied, 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.199 beaten, 00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.279 and dead 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.000 body. 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.740 Look at 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.139 him with 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.899 his arms 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:57.139 stretched out. 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.819 And as 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.359 we do, 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.219 see the 00:26:01.219 --> 00:26:01.699 darkness 00:26:01.699 --> 00:26:02.659 that has 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.000 been 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.899 dispelled. 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:05.019 see the 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.780 evil that 00:26:05.780 --> 00:26:06.180 has been 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:06.680 defeated. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.160 See Satan 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.240 destroyed. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.480 And see 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.160 the curtain 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:12.980 torn in 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.240 two. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.440 See heaven 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.220 being ripped 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.800 apart, 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.600 and his 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.380 people being 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.200 welcomed in. 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:22.060 Stand 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:23.080 before the 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.560 cross. 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.620 And like 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:26.480 the shepherds 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.080 and the 00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.759 magi who 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.380 came to 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:28.960 worship 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.900 the Jesus 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.460 who was 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:30.880 born, 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:33.140 stand at 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.720 the cross. 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.720 and worship 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.400 the Son 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.000 of God 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.440 who was 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:37.960 born, 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:40.019 but died. 00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:41.740 This 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.820 is what we 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.620 are celebrating 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.940 at Christmas. 00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:47.480 Let's pray. 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:47.580 Amen. 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:47.620 Amen. 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.120 Amen. 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:48.480 Amen. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:48.620 Amen. 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:48.680 Amen. 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:48.820 Amen. 00:26:48.820 --> 00:26:48.880 Amen. 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:48.980 Amen. 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.040 Amen. 00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:49.080 Amen. 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.519 Amen. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.080 Amen. 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:50.180 Amen. 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.519 Amen. 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.080 Amen. 00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:51.519 Amen. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:51.580 Amen.