Bobservations Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz
“And they crucified Him,” and “And sitting down they watched Him there.”As if the horrors of His Passion and Death were not enough, how humiliating to be “on public display” for so long. Those that crucified Him sat and watched Him die. Those from the Jesus’ ministry were no doubt weeping at what had been done to the Messiah, but all the others sat and watched as though He were a side show not to be missed.
There were many statements Jesus had made indicating that He was the Son of God, and therefore anything could happen. The crowd stayed to see either a miracle, or His humiliation.
The Jewish days began about 6AM, so at the 6th hour (noontime), Matthew, Mark and Luke record that there was darkness over all the land until the 9th hour. The life of the “Light of the Word” was being snuffed out.” Under false testimonies, jealousy, the Jews and the Romans just wanted Jesus dead.
When it was the 9th hour of the day, Jesus cried out, and He yielded up his earthly spirit. In those last hours, Jesus experienced a profound separation from the Father. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
THIS is what every half-hearted believer will experience at the point of death. True believers will embrace death with joy untold, being assured of where they are going, and Who they will be with eternally.
Paul writes in Titus 3 about what it means to be born-again. Salvation is not from following the Law, or doing good works. The Soldiers and Priests followed the law! How many people will proclaim that they are a nice person and do things for others. Judgment day is not about those things; It is rather about Who we put our faith in. Even atheists can be nice people, and have good works, but without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, none shall enter into God’s heavenly kingdom.
~ Luke 23:39-43 ~
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Today's Audio Message:
Matthew 27:45-66 - "And They Crucified Him"
Summary:
This passage starts out as Jesus hovers at death's door! He summoned the remainder of His energy to once again press His torn feet against the spike, straighten His legs, and take a deep breath. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?-which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Luke records Jesus' uttering of His last and final cry, possibly no more than an agonized whisper; it is finished. Father! Into Thy hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:44-46; John 19:30). The eternal God dies, and then, the eternal God is buried. Jesus has accomplished His task on earth and fulfilled His life's mission. Jesus was hung on the cross where He paid our debt of sin, suffering the ultimate punishment on our behalf.
This passage continues with the theme of the action of character, as man did his worst, then God showed Himself by doing His best! Man was fulfilling his pride and corrupt desires and condemned the innocent. God's actions showed grace and forgiveness while fulfilling His vow to save man-even when man had proven he was unwilling to be saved and did not deserve to be saved. Yet, Jesus demonstrated His love (Gen. 3:15; John 15:9-13; Rom. 5:12-21). Jesus died and then was buried; but, was that all? Is there more to the story? Friday is here, death has come, but the great hope of humanity is that Sunday is coming! The redemption and salvation of humanity, grace that will be availed, the object of our faith will be at hand and resonate in three days-on a Sunday! And, so it was that His mission to redeem our souls was accomplished. The eternal God still remains eternal, as He proved when He rose from the grave to proclaim our call to tell the world (Matt. 28: 18-20).
This passage continues with the theme of the action of character, as man did his worst, then God showed Himself by doing His best! Man was fulfilling his pride and corrupt desires and condemned the innocent. God's actions showed grace and forgiveness while fulfilling His vow to save man-even when man had proven he was unwilling to be saved and did not deserve to be saved. Yet, Jesus demonstrated His love (Gen. 3:15; John 15:9-13; Rom. 5:12-21). Jesus died and then was buried; but, was that all? Is there more to the story? Friday is here, death has come, but the great hope of humanity is that Sunday is coming! The redemption and salvation of humanity, grace that will be availed, the object of our faith will be at hand and resonate in three days-on a Sunday! And, so it was that His mission to redeem our souls was accomplished. The eternal God still remains eternal, as He proved when He rose from the grave to proclaim our call to tell the world (Matt. 28: 18-20).
