The Sacrifice of the King Pt 6

Good morning. Good morning to all. Good morning to... Reminds me of a song we used to hear in first grade. Good morning to you. Good morning to you. We're all in our places with bright, shiny faces. Good morning to you. Good morning to you. Okay, now... Now let's worship. I want to welcome all of you to Calvary Chapel this morning. Those of you who are joining us live and those online, we just want to welcome you.

Would you stand? Join me in prayer. Father, we do thank you for this opportunity to worship you in song, Lord. As we're in the midst of beginning a new year, Lord, we know that you are in control. We can trust you with every area of our life, with everything that's going on around us. You are in control. Your providence is always going on. You work in the affairs of man, in spite of man.

And we thank you that we can trust you. We give our hearts to you. Thanking us and molding us. And to those people who tear us down, want to overtake us. But, Lord, you are faithful. You work in our hearts as we look to you. We love you. We praise you. Our hope is in you. Our life is yours. You have our heart, Lord, this morning of righteousness. We thank you.

It's a gift from you. We give you praise for that.

Your goodness is so good. And your faith, day to day, minute to minute, second to second, hour to hour, Lord, we praise you. We thank you, Lord Jesus. It's what you all stand for, willingness to die for us. Really, just keep... Trusting and serving. We need any time for you to come. But being busy about what you'd call us to do. And so, Lord, as we continue our service, Lord, I'd ask that you would just anoint Pastor Ryan with your Holy Spirit.

Bring forth your word. We flow us with your Holy Spirit to grasp, to understand. You've set us aside to do your... We know it's not by works of righteousness which we have done, but it's according to your mercy you've saved us. You've regenerated us, Lord, to different people. Because if you... And we give you praise in Jesus' name. Amen. Let's have some fellowship.

Good. If you could start to locate your seat. And grab a bulletin. We'll get ready to get started here.

Welcome to Calvary Chapel. Glad you could be here this morning. A handful of things that are going on. First of all, all the things going on on the left-hand side of your bulletin. But there will be a couple little adjustments to those over here in the middle. Reminder, ladies. The Women's Breakfast is this coming Saturday. Lazy Mays. January 14th at 8 o'clock.

So take note of that. And then there's no Thursday Home Fellowship this week. And then the other thing is that the College and Career Bible Study starts back up this Tuesday. So those are the things that are going on. If you would make sure that your mobile device is silenced. And for our responsive reading this morning, we are going to be in Psalm 8. Psalm 8.

Looking at the New American Standard. So we sound the same for this. If you need a copy, it should be one in a row. And as you are turning to Psalm 8, if you would stand in the honor of the reading of God's Word. I will read the odd verses. If you will follow along with Pastor Allen in the even verses. Psalm 8. For the choir director on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. Who have displayed your splendor above the heavens. When I consider your heavens the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have ordained. What is man that you take thought of him, and the son of man that you care for him. Yet you have made him a little lower than God, and you crown him with glory and majesty.

You make him to rule over the works of your hands, and have put all things under his feet. All sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field. Amen. The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea. Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. And read verse 9 with me. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. And Father, we do praise you that as great as you are, you saw fit to look upon us.

Lord, to not only look upon us, Lord, but to come down and to die for us. And so Father, as we take time to look this morning at the crucifixion of Jesus. Lord, may. As that song said, may our minds be cast back to Calvary. Father, with that distinct understanding of the sacrifice that you made for us. And so Lord, speak to us now by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Move in our hearts. And Father, may we truly get a glimpse of the greatness of the sacrifice that you've made. In Jesus name. Amen. You may be seated. And if you would, open up in your Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew. Chapter 1. Chapter 27.

Matthew chapter 27. We come this morning to part 6 of our series of the sacrifice of the king. And it will be the last of this series. We're going to cover a decent amount of scripture today. And we'll do the best that I can to not make a whole lot of comment. Because in this particular section, I feel like the scripture really speaks for itself. I'll explain some of the things that are very Roman in nature as far as what Jesus would have gone through.

But I really just want the scripture to speak for itself. Because what we're going to see this morning. Is the crucifixion. Everything that all of scripture had been leading up to up to that point in time. And everything that we now look back to as our greatest hope. So let's remind ourselves of what the scene looks like at this point in time. Jesus had been arrested in the garden.

And all of his disciples fled from him. And he went and he stood trial. And he stood trial before the Sanhedrin. Where they convicted him. Falsely I might add. But they convicted him of blasphemy. They of course. Took him to Pilate. Who didn't care about their blasphemy. So they once again brought up a charge. That he claimed to be the king of the Jews. And was threatening an insurrection.

And telling people not to pay their taxes. Pilate didn't want much to do with him. Matter of fact, Pilate felt like he was innocent. But Pilate felt pressured by the people. And he kept saying. Well maybe I could just release another prisoner to you. It's that time of the year. When I do that sort of thing for you. Let me release someone else. And they said.

Give us Barabbas. And so we left with him. Releasing Barabbas. And we left in verse 26 with Jesus. Who remember at this point in time. Had already stayed up for over 24 hours. Experienced spiritual warfare. Like you and I have never even begun to anticipate. And have never even begun to imagine. And also stood with a bag over his head. While the Sanhedrin beat him in the face.

He now stands trial in this way before Pilate. And we're given one simple little phrase in chapter 26. About what's going to take place. But that'll get into my study. There's four things. We're going to look at this morning. We're going to look at the preparation. We're going to look at the crucifixion. We're going to look at the death. And we're going to look at the burial of Jesus.

First comes the preparation. Verse 26. It says. Then he, meaning Pilate. Released Barabbas for them. But after having Jesus scourged. He handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor. Took Jesus. Into the praetorium. They gathered the whole Roman cohort around him. They stripped him. And put a scarlet robe on him. And after twisting a crown of thorns.

They put it on his head. And a reed in his right hand. And they knelt down before him. And mocked him saying. Hail king of the Jews. They spat on him. And took the reed. And began to beat him on the head. And after they had mocked him. They took the scarlet robe off of him. Put his garments back on him. And let him. Come away. To crucify him. The preparation of the sacrifice.

Began with the scourging. And the scourging. As many of us have seen portrayed in movies. Was a horrific experience. That they would have gone through. The sentence would have been 40 stripes. But because the Romans were merciful people. They lessened it to 39. The stripes were given with a. Whip that had nine different strands of leather. That went off of it.

And embedded in the strips of leather. Were balls of lead. And bones of iron. And bones of sheep. And what they would do is. They would strip a man down to his waist. And they would lay him over some sort of a pole. Or some sort of a beam. And they would lay the whip across his back. And then they would pull. The scourging was meant to do two things. Number one to torture the suspect.

Number two to elicit confessions. However we've seen up to this point in time. Remember how Jesus has responded. With every accusation. As a sheep before its shearers is silent. So he opened not his mouth. He's been completely quiet this whole time. Now if a prisoner would begin to. Confess their different sins. Confess the crimes that they had done. The beatings would become less.

They would become softer. If they would not. The beatings would become harder. And so you can imagine how it was for Jesus. And as they laid these 39 stripes across his back. By the time all was said and done. His back would have been completely laid open. Ribbons of flesh flowing. Blood flowing. And his back looking much like hamburger. Many prisoners didn't even survive the beating itself.

Many prisoners didn't even survive the scourging. And Roman citizens by the way. Were not allowed to be scourged. But that's what they did to Jesus. They scourged him. And then they led him away to be crucified. But before they could lead him away to be crucified. The Roman soldiers had their fun with him. It says they gathered a cohort of Roman soldiers. Quite a few.

Maybe even a hundreds. Of Roman soldiers gathered. And they took him into the praetorium. The praetorium would have been. What would have been. What we might consider like a city hall. A large hall. That was very open. And they did some horrific things to him. While he was in there. The first thing that they did. Is they stripped him of the clothes. That he was wearing.

Now remember. After they would have scourged him. They would have put his robe back on him. Now I don't know about you. But I know exactly what happens. When you put cloth over something that's bloody. The blood has a tendency to adhere to the cloth. So the first thing that they would have done. Is stripped that robe off of him. Completely. Completely off of him.

I want us to bear in mind. The fact that Jesus was completely naked. At this point in time. The most humiliating place. Anyone can find themselves. Standing before a group of men. And they stripped that robe off of him. They took what's. What they call a scarlet robe. Perhaps something that one of the soldiers. Would have worn. And they would have wrapped it around him.

Because after all. He was the king of the Jews. And kings were scarlet. One commentator that I read. If I remember correctly. It was the Believer's Bible commentary. William MacDonald. Said I just have in my mind. This image of the fact that red. Is always synonymous with sin. In the scriptures. And all I can think of is that verse. In Isaiah. Though my sins were as scarlet.

They will be as white as snow. And picture if you will. All of my sins being wrapped. Around Jesus in that scarlet robe. As he stood before all those. Roman soldiers. But they weren't done with just putting the scarlet robe on. And it says they took a crown of thorns. And they twisted it together. Now the thorns at that point in time. Are not what we think of as thorn bushes.

They weren't just simply a rose bush. Which by the way I've had an argument with a few times. And I've never come out very well in that. These thorns would have been. Probably a couple of inches long. They would have twisted these thorns. And put it on his head. And as they put it on his head. It says they took the scepter. And they beat him in the head. Because they made sure that he had a crown.

After all he was. A king. And a king wears a crown. And then they handed him a stick. And they said this is your scepter. And as they handed him the stick. And said this is your scepter. They began to bow down and say hail king of the Jews. Of course it was in a mocking sort of tone. And then they began to spit on him. And then they began to take the reed. And beat him in the head.

It's only a miracle of God. That Jesus is upright. At this point in time. I think we all need to maintain. That understanding. That the physical beating that Jesus went through. Not many men would be able to stand up under. And still be able to hold themselves up. The amount of blood loss. The amount of sleep loss. The concussions that he had probably received.

Up to this point in time were such. That any normal man would be collapsed. And yet Jesus stood in there. And he took the beating. Absolutely humiliated. By these Romans. By these Roman soldiers. And when their fun was finished. When it was time to crucify him. They stripped the scarlet robe from him. They put his robe back on him. And they let him out. To be crucified.

Next comes the crucifixion. Says in verse 32. As they were coming out. They found a man of Cyrene. Named Simon. Whom they pressed into service. To bear his cross. And when they came to a point. In a place called Golgotha. Which means place of a skull. They gave him wine to drink. Mixed with gall. And after tasting it. He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified him.

They divided up his garments. Among themselves by casting lots. And sitting down. They began to keep watch over him there. And above his head. They put the charge against him. Which read. This is Jesus. The king of the Jews. And at that time. Two robbers were crucified. With him. One on the right. And one on the left. Now the process of crucifixion. Was not original to the Romans.

They just perfected it. The process of crucifixion. Actually began with the Persians. Who believed that the crimes of a man. Should not stain the ground. And so they would hang their victims. So that their crimes. Would not stain the earth. Well the Romans took that. And they began to perfect it. And they perfected it. And were one of the last ones to ever do this.

And it was horrific what they did. They would actually leave the upright posts. Standing on this mountain. This mountain of Golgotha. The place of the skull. The uprights were always there. We always picture Jesus carrying the entire weight of the cross. But it would have just been the cross beam. Interesting side note. Every time Jesus would have come to Jerusalem.

Because they always crucified in a place. That was the most publicly seen possible. He would have walked by those uprights. Which really gives. A lot of color to Jesus saying. If any man would follow me. He must deny himself. And take up his cross. And follow me. And so. These uprights were always there. So the cross that Jesus would have borne. Was what's called the cross beam.

From different things that I've read. The cross beam weighed anywhere from 75 to about 125 pounds. And they would have tied him to it. But remember. How weak Jesus is by this point in time. Very weak. Very weakened by the things that have taken place. And as he's carrying it. Other gospel accounts tell us. That he stumbled under the weight of the cross. And so the Roman soldiers grabbed someone.

A guy named Simon. Who was from Cyrene. Which is an area in Africa. They implored him to carry the cross. Now if you remember. Jesus had told the disciples. He said. If a Roman soldier implores you to walk with him one mile. Walk with him two. That sort of thing. But philosophy is what's implored here. Or is what's employed here. Because any Roman soldier. Could come up to any citizen at that point in time.

Lay his sword on their shoulder. And say. Walk with me. Won't you? Carry my burden. Won't you? And so he impressed this man named Simon of Cyrene. Into service. And he carried the cross beam for him. Another interesting side note. Simon of Cyrene had two sons. Rufus and Alexander. We actually read about them. Not only in the book of Mark. But also in the book of Acts.

As being a part of the early church. Most believe that this Simon of Cyrene. Who probably just showed up for the sake of. Attending the Passover festival. Became one of the very first converts. On the continent of Africa. It's amazing how the gospel does its work. And so they impressed him into service. And so he picks up the beam. And he carries it to. The outside of the city.

It says they carried it to the place of Golgotha. Which means. The place of the skull. Now this is one of those things. That there's a little bit of debate about. Because of the actual place of the crucifixion of Jesus. Because there's a couple of different ideas here. Some say this is called the place of the skull. Because of the way that they've handled the rock.

The side of the mountain looks just like a skull. Others believe that this is called the place of the skull. Because remember I said that those upright beams were always in place. And this is where the crucifixions would have always happened. Therefore it was known as. The place of the skull. Either way that's where they led Jesus to. And it's outside of the city.

Which again is kind of interesting for us to take note of. Because. Where were the sacrifices supposed to be taken and burned? They were taken. Outside. Of the camp. And that's exactly where Jesus went for us. It tells us in the book of Hebrews to bear. Our sins. So they led him to this place of Golgotha. And as they led him to this place of Golgotha. It says.

It says in verse 34. That they gave him wine to drink. Mixed with gall. That phrase. Wine mixed with gall. Means that it was some sort of a sour wine. That was mixed with some sort of an opiate. Some sort of a narcotic. And they would do this. As a merciful gesture to anyone. That was being crucified. They would offer it to them to perhaps. Deaden some of the pain.

Jesus chose not to take a drink of that. Wine. Mixed with gall. Because he didn't want to deaden the pain. He wanted to endure. Everything. That was God's wrath. Being poured out. On sin. I can't imagine what that would have been like for him. For those of you who don't know. I told a handful of people last week. Because I needed prayer last Sunday. But I had like an abscess tooth or something.

I had to have a root canal this week. Worst root canal I've ever had. Not because of my dentist. She did an amazing job. It just hurt really bad. And I couldn't sleep at night for about four nights. Because it was in so much pain. And I remember thinking. I just need one thing. That will just absolutely take away the pain. So that I can get some kind of sleep.

And that was just a toothache. Because I'm a weenie. Right? This is Jesus. Enduring pain like none of us can even fathom. And when offered a chance. To deaden the pain. He said. No. Why? Because in the garden. He said. Father. If there's any way. That this cup can pass from me. Let it pass. But not my will. Your will. Be done.

We come down to verse 35. And it says. And when they had crucified him. This is another of those spots. I don't prefer the New American Standard. I prefer the New King James translation. Because in the New King James in verse 35 it says. And then they crucified him. It's interesting. Matthew gives a lot of details. About a lot of different things. Right? He's going to give a lot of detail.

About what takes place. While Jesus is on the cross. But every gospel writer. Puts it the exact same way. None of them gives details. About the crucifixion. There's two things. They don't give details about. They don't give details about the scourging. And they don't give details about the crucifixion. Why? Because everybody knew what they were. Anybody who saw a cross.

Did not see a fashion symbol. Or a sweet tattoo. They saw an instrument. Of death. And torture. And so these guys didn't need to ride. Hey there was this crucifixion. And this is what took place. But you and I. We don't always understand exactly. What took place at the crucifixion. So may I walk you through quickly. What took place when they crucified Jesus.

They would have laid him down. On that cross beam. And they would have taken nails. And they would have driven him through his wrists. A lot of times we talk about the nails in his hands. But really you have nothing but sinews in your hands. There's nothing that would keep the nail. From just completely pulling through the rest of your hand. So they probably would not have nailed him.

In the center of his palm. They would have nailed him right here in the wrist. That way the bones. Where they connect to your hands. Would hold you on the cross there. So they would first of all. Nailed him to that cross beam. They then would have raised him up. On to the upright beam. Where they would have positioned him. With his knees slightly bent. Like this.

They would have put one foot on top of the other. And once they put one foot on top. Of the other. There was a small platform that stuck out. They would then take a nail. And drive it through the center of his foot. Attaching him to that platform. The way that the arms were extended. Would have cut off the ability to breathe. It wasn't the nails that killed anyone.

Although wow. Right. It wasn't the nails that killed anyone. There was a handful of things. That would kill you while you were on the cross. You would perhaps die of cardiac arrest. Simply because of the shock. Of everything that you were going through. You would perhaps die of dehydration. Because some men would hang on the cross. For quite some time. But many simply died of asphyxiation.

Because as your arms are pulled like this. It cuts off your ability to take in a breath. Therefore you can't breathe. As a matter of fact. And this adds a lot of color. To the several different statements. That Jesus made from the cross. In order to talk. And perhaps you heard me do it just now. In order to talk. You have to first of all. Take in a breath. The only way that Jesus could have taken in a breath.

Was as his legs were bent. He would have pushed up on the nail. On that platform. It would have released his arms enough. To where he could take in a breath. And he could say. What he needed to say. He would make that saying from the cross.

He hung there. Just. Like that.

It says when they had crucified him. They divided up. His garments among themselves. By casting lots. And sitting down. They began to keep watch. Over him there. If you're a person who likes to take some notes. In the margin of your Bible. Write down Psalm 22. We won't turn there. But I want you to mark it down. Because it's interesting to take note. Of what the psalmist David.

Has to say in Psalm 22. Because many of the things that happen to Jesus. Right now are actually written in Psalm 22. Even what we're going to read in just a minute. When he says. My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me? That's how Psalm 22 begins. But it talks about the fact. That they cast lots for his garment. It talks about the fact. That all of his bones are out of joint.

It talks about the fact. That his hands and his feet are pierced. Those are things nobody knew about. At that point in time. And yet David wrote about them. In a prophetic sort of way. In this messianic Psalm. But it says that they divided his garments. And they cast lots for them. Apparently a practice of the Roman soldiers. At that point in time. Perhaps keeping them as trophies.

Can you imagine how hardened these men were? How hardened these guys would have been. To see what they're seeing in front of them. And to be able to sit down. And play poker over clothing. I don't know how many of you watched. Monday night football last week. It was a horrific. And yet inspiring scene. That took place in that game. As I was sitting there. Watching it.

Typical football game. Typical football. Two guys hit each other. I always look at it. I don't know how anybody ever gets up from a play in football. If anybody ever hit me like that. Just count me out. Just go and call the ambulance. Because that's exactly what's going to need to take place. Because I'm not walking away from that thing. Without serious medical help.

But these guys are used to it. Their muscles are made for this. And these two guys run into each other. He tackles him. No big deal. And then he stands up. And he collapses. And you're like. Uh oh. Big deal. And as you watch that scene. Do you remember seeing all of these. Your own men. Men that I would consider modern day gladiators. Like these are men. Right.

These are not guys that get their feelings hurt easy. These are not guys that get affected by things easy. They switch to one of the guys in the newsroom. Back at ESPN. Booger McFarland. Which how you get the name Booger. I have no idea. That guy is usually. He's usually very lively. But he was not that night. And he's like. Listen. We're used to concussions.

We're used to broken bones. We're used to torn ligaments. We're not used to this. We're not used to somebody fighting for their life. And as you looked at that field. What was everybody doing? They're all in tears. Right. All of these grown gladiator men are in tears. With their hands on their head. And their hands on their hips. And they just look terrified.

Can you imagine how hardened these Roman soldiers would have been. To sit around. Somebody who had just been tortured. And is in the process of dying. No doubt hearing the screams. Of the other two criminals. Who were crucified next to him. You got a five. Go fish. Right. I mean that. That's what's going on right there. At that point in time. Says they cast lots for his garment.

Another humiliating moment. Which may I also add. These men were crucified. Naked. It was absolutely the most humiliating. Torturous experience anyone could go through. And yet this is the way that God chose for sin. To be atoned. For. Says they cast lots. For his garments. And they sat down. And they began to keep watch over him there. From what I understand.

The reason why they kept watch. Was so that no one would come. And try to remove the body from the cross. By force. And above his head. They put up the charge against him. Which read. This is Jesus. The king. Of the Jews. Every criminal had the charge. It was read. Hung above them. Whether it was theft. Or murder. Or insurrection. But remember what Jesus was convicted of.

He was convicted of trying to be the. King of the Jews. The religious leaders in one of the gospel accounts. One of the other gospel accounts. The religious leaders. The Pharisees and the Sadducees says. Take that down. Or at least make it say. He says he's the king of the Jews. And of course Pilate says. I've written. What I've written. And there died. The king.

Of the Jews. But while Jesus is hanging on the cross. I want you to notice what it says. It says at that time. Two robbers were crucified with him. One on the right. And one. On the left. Do you remember one of the very first. Acts that took place. Really the beginning of Jesus's ministry. The first thing that happened. Is that John B. John the Baptist. Was out baptizing people at the Jordan River.

And remember what happened. When Jesus comes down to him. To be baptized. And John goes. This is a terrible idea. I should be being baptized by you. And Jesus says. I need to do this. This is necessary. For me to do. The reason why it was necessary for him to do. Is because. He was being identified. With sinful man. He was being identified with us. And now the very last act.

Of his human life here on earth. Is being identified with. Us. Because who's crucified. On the two sides of him. A couple of thieves. A couple of common. Sinners. Because he identified. With us. Common. Sinners. When we move on from there. The next section I've referred to as. Simply. The death. It says in those passing by. Were hurling abuse. At him. Excuse me.

This will actually go with the last part. I'm sorry. I messed you up on your notes there. And those passing by. Were hurling abuse at him. Wagging their heads. And saying. You're going to destroy. You who are going to destroy the temple. And rebuild it in three days. Save yourself. If you are the son of God. Come down from the cross. In the same way. The chief priests.

Also along with the scribes. And the elders. Were mocking him. And saying. He saved others. He cannot save himself. He's the king of Israel. Let him now come down from the cross. And we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him. If he delights in him. For he said. I am the son of God. And the robbers who had been crucified with him. Were insulting him.

With the same words. Okay. This goes along with the crucifixion. Because this is a part of the whole process. While he's hanging there on the cross. Classically. To add insult to injury. Three different groups of people. Began simply to mock him. He's up there on the cross. And nobody feels bad. That he's up there on the cross. These three groups come by. The first group.

That we see are. Those passing by. Average people passing by. Which I want to remind you. Was not an uncommon thing. To take place during a crucifixion. After all. It's in a public location. Where as many people can see it as possible. So that everybody knows. Don't mess with Rome. Because this is the punishment you'll receive. And as people are passing by.

Notice what it says. They're wagging their heads. And hurling abuse. And saying. You said you could destroy the temple. And raise it up again. If you're the son of God. Come down from the cross. Oh how that would play to our pride. Right? Oh how that would play to the pride for you and I. How his humanity would have been being tested. At this point in time.

Because quite frankly. If he'd wanted to come down from the cross. And be healed. Any moment that he said the word. Boom. Done. But he didn't. And he endures. All of the insults from the people. He came to his own. And his own received him not. And then come the religious leaders. Notice what it says. In the same way. Verse 41. The chief priests. Also. Along with the scribes and the elders.

Were mocking him. And saying he saved others. He can't save himself. And can I just say. They actually just preached the gospel. In that one phrase. He didn't save himself. So he could save others. Because it required the sacrifice. Of God. The sacrifice of one. To save the many. He saved others. He can't save himself. He's the king of Israel. Let him now come down from the cross.

And we'll believe. If he trusts in God. Let God rescue him now. If he delights in him. For he said. I am the son of God. You know it's kind of interesting. That's the exact thing that happened. He didn't come down from the cross. But because God delights in him. He was raised from the dead. And even greater proof. Than coming down. From the cross.

Well as the passersby are mocking him. As the chief priests and religious leaders are mocking him. The robbers decide. Our life's in pretty bad shape. Let's make fun of him too. The robbers who had been crucified with him. Were also insulting him. With the same words. Now Matthew chooses not to tell. As Paul Harvey would call it. The rest of the story. About the two robbers.

But we do know that one of them finally said. He truly is the son of God. He said hey when you make it to your. Kingdom. Will you remember me? Jesus said assuredly I say to you. Today. You will be with me in paradise. See that gospel. Was working in the hearts of people. Remember I said that there would be a. Long line of believers. Yet Malchus. Who I believe.

Had to have had some sort of an. Aha moment with Jesus. When his ear was put back on him. Now you've got. This guy. And a minute we're going to see one of the centurion soldiers. There's a long line of believers. Because that's what the gospel does to people. That's what the work of Jesus Christ does with people. Now. Forgive me for getting ahead of myself.

We come to the third section. The death. It says verse 45. Now from the sixth hour. Darkness fell upon the land. Until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour. Jesus cried out with a loud voice. Saying Eli. Eli Lama Sabachthani. That is my God. My God. Why have you forsaken me? Some of those who were standing there. When they heard it began saying. This man's calling for Elijah.

Immediately one of them ran. And taking a sponge. He filled it with sour wine. And put it on the reed. And gave him a drink. The rest of them said. Let's see whether Elijah will come and save him. Jesus cried out again. With a loud voice. And yielded up his spirit. Behold. The veil of the temple. Was torn in two. From top to bottom. And the earth shook. And the rocks were split.

The tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints. Who had fallen asleep. Were raised. And coming out of the tombs. After his resurrection. They entered the holy city. And appeared to many. Now the centurion. And those who were with him. Keeping guard over Jesus. When they saw the earthquake. And the things that were happening. Became very frightened. And said.

Truly. This. Was the son of God. Many women were there. Looking on from a distance. Who had followed Jesus. From Galilee. While ministering to him. Among them. Was Mary Magdalene. Mary the mother of James. And Joseph. And the mother of the sons. Of Zebedee. So it's from the sixth hour. To the ninth hour. Darkness fell upon the whole land. That's from about.

Noon to three. Perfectly sunny day. Up until the time. That Jesus makes it on the cross. And it says darkness. Fell over the whole land. From what I understand. There's actually historical accounts. Of there being a solar eclipse. In that year. And an unplanned. Or an unexpected solar eclipse. In that year. But while most of the people. Didn't fully understand.

What was going on. Jesus knew exactly. What was going on. You see when Jesus. Was put upon that cross. We're told in the book of first Peter. All of our sins. Were laid upon him. On the tree. The one thing that keeps you and I. From being able to go into the presence of God. Is the fact that we are covered in sin. That we have sin. That's the thing that separates us from God.

And so as Jesus was there. On that cross. Bearing the sin of humanity. The father. Had to turn his back. He had to look away. Because he could not look. Upon the sin. Which is why Jesus cries out. My God. My God. Why. Have you forsaken me. As much as what Jesus dealt with physically. Is more than our minds can comprehend. It was not the worst part of what he dealt with.

As much as what he went through physically. Was more than you and I can begin to understand. There were still men up to that point in time. Who had gone through the same thing. And up to this point in time. He hadn't cried out about anything that was going on. When did Jesus cry out in agony. When the father had to turn his back on him. Because he experienced that separation from the father.

Because of sin. For us. That's the part of the sacrifice that you and I sometimes don't always take into account. He cried out my God. My God. Why have you forsaken me. And of course. The way it's translated here. That Eli. Eli Lamas the Bactony. They thought he was calling out for Elijah. So they said let's see if Elijah shows up. Again still. Mocking him.

Mocking the situation. They said let's see what happens here. Of course Elijah didn't show up. Because that wasn't what he was saying. And they once again offered him the sponge with the sour wine. And as he hung there on that cross. It says Jesus. Cried out again. With a loud voice. And he healed it up. His spirit. Matthew doesn't tell us what Jesus said when he cried out with that loud voice.

But I think the first thing I would like to point out to you is that he cried out with. And Matthew specific to use this verbiage here. A loud voice. Now I think that that's kind of fascinating. That somebody would cry out with a loud voice. Because I've been at the bedside of people that are very close to death. And you know what they do not have. They do not have a loud voice.

And think about the situation. The scenario I just described for you. Of the place where Jesus was. In order to even be able to say anything. After all. How long has it been now since he's had a drink of water. It would have been very hard for him to do this. And yet he cries out. With a loud voice. Why? Because he wanted as many people to hear it as he could.

He cried out something very specific. We're told in the gospel of John. That Jesus cried out the phrase. It is finished. It is finished. In the Greek. It's the word to tell us die. That word has significant meaning. Because remember how we said that when a criminal was crucified. They were crucified with the charges hung on the cross just above them. Well also in Roman culture.

If you owed a debt. Your debt was written down on a piece of paper. And it was nailed to the door of your home. Until you worked that debt off. But once you had worked that debt off. The Romans would come. And they would stamp it with something. They would stamp it with a phrase. To tell us die. Paid. In. Full. And so when Jesus hung there from the cross. And cried out that very last time.

Right before he yielded up his spirit. Knowing that all of God's wrath was poured out on him physically. Knowing that all of God's wrath was poured out on him spiritually. He sat there. Or hung there on that cross. And he realized. The payment has been made. And he cried out. It. Is finished. Paid in full. And anybody that understood anything about that would have gone.

That. Is a significant statement.

And so he cried out. It is finished. And the last thing that I want to point out to you is. It doesn't say. And he lost his life. It doesn't even say he died. It says. He yielded up his spirit. You see he was the one in control this entire time. Jesus earlier in the gospel accounts would say. No one takes my life from me. I give it up. Freely. And so he yielded up his spirit.

Because it was done. Oftentimes. Men that are crucified hang on the cross for a very long time. Before they die. And if they want them to die sooner. They will come and they will break their legs. So that they can no longer push up to take a breath any longer. And they die. Jesus was in control. And so he yielded up his spirit. And as he yielded up his spirit.

He breathed his last. And then something very significant took place in verse 51. It says. And behold the veil of the temple was torn in two. From top to bottom. And the earth shook. And the rocks split. The veil of the temple was torn in two. You see within the temple. And I've explained this before. There's these three compartments. There's the outer. There's the outer court.

There's the holy place where only the priests could go. But then there was the holy of holies. Where the ark of the covenant was. Where only the high priest could go in one day a year. On the day of atonement. Separating the holy of holies. Where God's presence was. And the rest of the temple. Was a veil. Depending on who you read about this veil. It was anywhere between four and 18 inches thick.

No matter what. Nobody's getting through that veil. And it's so significant. That when Jesus cried out. It is finished. That the veil was torn in two. From top. To bottom. Why is it significant? Two reasons. Number one. Because it means. Remember we said the one thing that separates us from God is sin. It means that now there's no longer a separation between us and God.

Because now. Because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. When we accept what he's done for us. We have direct access to God. Number two. It's significant. Because it's a work that God did through Jesus Christ. You notice where it's torn from. Top. To bottom. God said. Now you have access. Now we have boldness. To enter the holiest. Through the blood.

Of Jesus Christ. And it says there was an earthquake. And the rocks were split. The entire earth trembled. At what just took place. And then comes verses 52 and 53. Now let's listen to Chuck Swindoll on this. It's been some months back now. And he was talking about going and hearing one of his favorite teachers ever. He said the most skilled gospel scholar I've ever heard teach.

And he was going to be teaching on the crucifixion out of the book of Matthew. He said I couldn't wait. Because no one has ever explained those two verses to me. What the heck. Right? And so he goes. I sat there and I was so excited. I was just waiting to hear this mind-boggling explanation he was going to give of verses 53. 52 and 53. And he goes. And it says that the tombs were opened and many walked about.

And that's because. Honestly, I have no idea. It moved on to the next verse. Because none of us have any idea what's going on here. Right? It took place somewhere at the resurrection. Because Matthew kind of inserts this. Even though down below he says when Jesus was resurrected. After his resurrection. They entered the holy city and appeared to many. All we can do is speculate.

And I'm not big on speculation. What I do know is what it says. Somehow the power that was released at the resurrection of Jesus. Caused saints that had gone before to be either resuscitated or resurrected. No one's answered that question for me yet either. There's a difference between the two. Resuscitated means coming back to life in your earthly body. Resurrected means coming to life in your brand new eternal body.

Which one it was. I don't know. But can you imagine sitting at dinner and Uncle Larry shows up. And you're like. Dude. You've been gone a long time. And he's like. Jesus is good. Right? I don't know how all that happened. Anyway. Those verses. Those verses are there. Kind of a crazy situation. Let's move on to verse 54. The burial. Nope. This is still part of the resurrection.

Because we got to talk about this centurion. He's important. Now the centurion. And those who were with him. Keeping guard over Jesus. Remember where they were keeping guard over Jesus. They formed like a little square around the cross.

The centurion and those who were with him. Keeping guard over Jesus. They saw the earthquake. And the things that were happening. And they became very frightened. There it is. And said. Truly. This was the son of God. That's why I wanted to specifically point out. How hardened these men would have been. Hardened to the point where they could sit and play poker.

While a man is suffering in agony and dying. And yet everything that was taking place. Caused them to go.

Truly. This was the son of God. I'll be looking forward to meeting these men in heaven. Because I do believe that some of these men. We will see in heaven. Because they are a part of that long. Line. Of believers. It says that many women. Were there looking on from a distance. Who had followed Jesus. And of course named several of them. Mary Magdalene. Mary the mother of James and Joseph.

And the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Take note of the fact that almost all of his disciples. Are nowhere to be seen. And yet who's hanging out around them. All those ladies. Because they were stronger in their faith. At that point in time. Than these men were. Last of all we have the burial. It says in verse 57. When it was evening. There came a rich man from Arimathea.

Named Joseph. Who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate. And asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body. And wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. And laid it in his own tomb. Which had been hewn. Out in the rock. He rolled a large stone. Against the entrance of the tomb. And went away.

And Mary Magdalene was there. And the other Mary. Sitting opposite the grave. It says it was evening time. And they wanted to remove the bodies. Because the next day was a Sabbath. So they wanted the bodies off of the cross. And so a man named Joseph of Arimathea. A wealthy man who we're told in other gospel accounts. Was kind of a secret disciple of Jesus.

He and Nicodemus. Were kind of in the same boat if you will. But he was a wealthy man. He owned a tomb. He basically had his own burial plot set up already. He said can I have the body of Jesus. He formally requested Pilate for it. And Pilate granted it. He allowed it. Something had to be done. So he gave him the body. And we're told that he simply wrapped him.

In strips of cloth. Notice what it says here. It says Joseph took and wrapped the body. Or took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. Remember we talked about this. I believe it was Christmas morning. He would have wrapped him in strips of cloth. Interestingly enough. Going out of his human body. The same way that he came into. His human body. So he wraps him in these.

And he puts him in a tomb. Simply a cave that had been hewn out of rock. So he laid him in there. He enrobs. Rolled the stone in front of it. A large stone that would have sat in a track. Would have taken several men to move it. And that's where they laid Jesus. Of course we find out that Mary Magdalene. And a couple of the other women. Just kind of sat there for a while.

Kind of kept watch. Over the tomb. And that brothers and sisters. Is where we're going to end for this morning. Because next. In two weeks. I'll be gone next week. But in two weeks. We'll look at the victory. Of the king. But I would like to leave you. With two closing thoughts. As I've been studying this. I thought there's probably lots of personal application stuff.

That I could bring. But really only two things have stuck out to me. Throughout this whole thing. I thought if there's only one or two things. I can leave you with. That if you don't remember anything else. That we've talked about this morning. Remember these two things. And they're this. Number one. I want you to remember the depth. Of the depravity of sin.

Because one of the things you realize. In this entire process. Of Jesus going to the cross. Of Jesus being crucified. Of Jesus experiencing. Everything that he experienced. Is that sin. Is truly. Sinful. We live in a culture. That's very good at explaining away sin. We give it sanitized names. We give it easy thoughts. And. And we make it seem like it's really not that big of a deal.

Especially the sin that I struggle with the most. Because I like to think that the sins that I struggle with the most. Are really not as bad as some of the sins that other people commit. And I say that as a cross section of all of us as humanity. But when you see God's wrath poured out on sin. You begin to understand. Just how depraved we are as human beings.

If that's. What the father felt like. It took to atone for sin. How sinful. Sin. Don't make excuses for it. Own up to it. And realize. Just what my sin. Did to Jesus. But the second thought that I have is this. The greatness. Of the love of God. Many of you may have this verse memorized already. But to close up. I want you to turn over to Romans chapter 5.

Romans chapter 5. Verse 8.

And this is what it says. But God. Demonstrates. His own love toward us. And that while we were yet sinners. Christ. Died for us. The greatest sign of love. The greatest picture of love. The greatest understanding of God's love. That we will ever have is this. That God decided to come down. And put on the clothes of a man. To live a life as a man. To endure the pains of the world as a man.

And then as that man. Who had done nothing wrong his entire life. To face a death. That rightly belongs to you and I. To face the suffering. That rightly belongs to you and I. To face the separation from God. That rightly belongs to you and I. Why? Because of the depth. Of the love. That he has. For us. One of the greatest things that I've ever come to know.

Is just how much Jesus loves me. And it continues to grow on a continual basis. As a matter of fact. Paul knows we need to understand it so much. That he prayed in the book of Ephesians. That they might know the height. And the depth. And the width. And the length. That you would know the love of Christ. That surpasses all knowledge.

It wasn't Ray Steadman. It was another great. Maybe it was Ray Steadman. Great Bible teacher. Was asked by a group of seminary students. One time. As he was giving a lecture. He was doing a question and answer time with them. They asked him. They said. What is the greatest biblical truth. You've ever learned. And they all sat back. Waiting to hear some amazing doctrinal truth.

And he looked at them all. And he said. Jesus loves me. This I know. For the father. Tells me so. It wasn't Ray Steadman. It was Alan Redpath. Great theologian. And the greatest thing he'd ever learned. Is that Jesus. Loves him. Amen. Let's all stand.

And would you bow with me. Lord we come to you. And Lord we thank you for another time. That we have to be in your word. And Lord I thank you for the cross of Jesus Christ. That so clearly. Reveals to us your love. And father I like Paul. Will pray. Lord that we might know. The height. And the depth. And the width. And the length. To know the love of Christ.

That surpasses. All knowledge. Father make it so clear in our hearts. Put it down so deep in our souls. That nothing can ever uproot it. And make it so much a part of us. That we smell just like the love of Jesus. Everywhere that we go. Lord make us that fragrance of Christ. As we begin to understand it for ourselves. Father we thank you. And we praise you for who you are.

And I pray that you would be with your people. As they leave this place. Continue to fashion. And them. The hearts of the men and women of God. That you want them to have. In Jesus name. Amen. Be blessed. Praise you Lord.

We're finished with you. Praise Lord. As you're up there at the right hand of the father. Making intercession for us Lord. The work is finished. I suppose that's why you're sending. We thank you Lord. We give you praise. In Jesus name. Amen. Lord bless. Have a great week.