It is Written, Part 6
As we approach the end of this series, I think it’s appropriate that we focus our last sermons around the themes of Jesus’ crucifixion and second coming. These moments of his life were also marked by important quotes from the Old Testament. This week, we’ll be looking at one of the statements Jesus made from the cross. It is a heart rending and somewhat confusing statement. Let’s dive in to see what we can learn from it.
James (Jaques) TIssot, “My God My God, Why Haste THou Forsaken Me”, Brooklyn Museum.
Anchor Texts:
Psalm 22 ESVUK - Why Have You Forsaken Me?
Matthew 27:27-56 ESVUK - Jesus Is Mocked and Crucified
Questions to Ponder:
A few key truths to remember when reading our passages today:
a. God is _____ and God is ______.
b. God does not _______.
c. Jesus is ____________ and ____________.
d. Scripture doesn’t _____________ scripture.
Jesus suffers on the cross for the sins of the _______________.
Reading Psalm 22, there are clearly parts that happen in the crucifixion account in Matthew, but does this mean every line of Psalm 22 can be applied to Jesus and/or the crucifixion event?
Have you ever felt like saying the words “God, why have you abandoned me?” Share a bit about this, if you’re able. What other parts of Psalm 22 can you relate to?
If you were trying to describe what happened on the cross to a curious, non-Christian friend, what might you say? I.e. what did Jesus accomplish spiritually, what was happening phsyically and spiritually to this “God-Man” on the cross?
Spend time in prayer, reflecting with Jesus on what he went through for you. Let him reveal both the depths of the darkness of sin and the amazing salvation you have received.
Answers: 1 a. three, one, b. change, c. 100% God, 100% man, d. contradict, 2. Whole world
The Theme in Song:
This song by Audrey Assad captures the temptation to look to the crowds for affirmation and confirmation of our identity. If Jesus had done this, he never would have endured the shame of the cross. Yet, Jesus looked to his Heavenly Father, and Jesus was delivered through the greatest trial that has ever happened. It weighs heavy on my heart that Audrey has left behind the faith since writing this song, but I pray for her and many in her situation, that they would come back and find that only Jesus satisfies our deepest needs.
As I was preparing for the sermon, I came across another song that fit perfectly with the direction the Psalm was taking me. Jesus took on all our darkness and entered the valley of the shadow of death not just as our guide, but the leader of our company, and even when we couldn’t go down any further into the darkness of of sin, Jesus went further down still, so that no sin would be beyond his redeeming power. The innocent one plunged deep into the darkness of all our collective human evil and experienced the full etent of the horrifying darkness that we unleashed. Jesus went to “the uttermost” because of his great love, even further than we could go in sin - if you think you have fallen too far, Christ has gone lower still, so that he can raise you up with him higher than you ever imagined.