Three Miracles when Christ Dies for Your Understanding
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We have just heard the testimony - prophet most important revelation at court scene of century/ millenia, world history, cosmic history - turned the table in most dramatic fashion - all about His Idnieity - three titles - Christ, the Son of Man, Son of God - And his reply with time3 frame on how must recognize him is most telling:
But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
Astounding to hear claim of glory from the bloodied bruised iips and body of of one who looked likehte scum of the earth… But remember he is acknoeldgeing - right now don’t see it I knowthat but you will, Rightnow don’t see how King 9established with Pilate) from a kingdom not of eath, but will be in it - that King, Messiah,
Interesting taht Palm Sunday the prhopetic cry from Psalm …
saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- all the way down the Olivet, tlel them to shut up - Coming into town - on a donkey not a charger, stallion, comiong in a taxi, not a limo - cmoing - predicting destruction, the vanity, of earthly kingdom of Isreal and the earhtly temple . That was the oint in the trial too - not - earhtly Christ, Son of Man, Son of God - transcendent! And now as we journey fromthe trial to to the execution chamber, Golgotha - we4 must see the death of the Son of God Incranate, - we must udnerstand it - Messiah acutally dies himself, and as Luke records it need to undertand his death with 3 miracles, litaerla events that hold symbolic signifance.
A. Darkness for Understanding the Wrath of God
Darkness, full moon, can’t be an eclipse - and attested byhistories; See what Jesus is doing in connection with - the betrayl in the garden, already becoing sin for us, before the Father, but not yet suffering at the hands of violent men - but look what happens as he is transferred into the authroity of Temple Gaurd, \he is iin custody for you and me. It is as if the Father with hands to that cup of wrath - now drink it for them, and the son has been drinking it, now to the dregs… Fullness of it all - Father throws the cup away, Christ, absorbs it all with wine viegar just taken able to shout IT IS FINISHED = God forsakenness that we deserve - placed hismelf under that dominoin , and look as that process befgan how he described it:
When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Well now on the Cross - supernatural miracle - that creation announces - interesting that when God made covenant’s in the past creation calledin a witness - when reutrn the fields will sing…
What is this covenant - why darkness - listen to the prophesies - grief ,
Grief:
Judgement:
“And on that day,” declares the Lord God, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist and baldness on every head; I will make it like the mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.
judgment
A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Do you see it now - it is paid in full, And he is about to breathe his last, no one took his life from him, curcification - no he already was dead when came to do crucifragium… And remember what happened when they jabbed the spear in his side to make double sure - What flowed out - blood and WATER. Precardial csac -
It is possible as Jesus took that full wrrath in his anguish, bear weight of sin, penalty of death, his heart broke!
And with his last breathe Jesus announces, and what is it Luke now records, as it is finished, The darkness of those hellish eternity of forsakenness - over And as last breahe , listen to his last words - in Luke not it is finsihed, not I am finished, no the work was finished we see that by the temple veil;; But . Words of though surrounded by enemies, he knows His timeo f being forsaken according to God’s plan is up, even mbefore it is done, he knows the Father answers this prayer with acceptance and victory!
Do you see it now - it is paid in full, And he is about to breathe his last, no one took his life from him, curcification - no he already was dead when came to do crucifrgaium… And remember waht happened when they jabbed the spear in his side to make double sure - What flowed out - blood and WATER. Precardial csac -
I is possible as Jesus took that full wrrathin his anguish, bear weight of sin, penalty of death, his heart broke!
But with his last breathe what does Jesus announces, and what is it Luke now records, as soon as it is finished, The darkness of those hellish eternity of forsakenness - over - Father into your hands I commit my spirit.
And with his last breathe Jesus announces, and what is it Luke now records, as soon as it is finished, The darkness of those hellish eternity of forsakenness - over And as last breahe , listen to his last words - in Luke not it is finsihed, not I am finished, no the work was finished we see that by the temple veil;; But
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
But with his last breathe what does Jesus announces, and what is it Luke now records, as soon as it is finished, The darkness of those hellish eternity of forsakenness - over - Father into your hands I commit my spirit.
What is going on here - Not just veil, sky, but listen to what other proeshy is fulfilled here - heart rent. Christ dies in mere 6 hours, not 2-3 days - really dead, no one took it , he laid in down. Even when couldn’t see Father, trusts and pray, foot in hell, but hand in heaven -
What is going on here - Not just veil, sky, but listen to what other proeshy is fulfilled here - heart rent - precardiac sack - possible how Jesus died broekn heart - But regardless - in mere 6 hours, not 2-3 days - really dead, no one took it , he laid in down
Even when couldn’t see Father, trusts and pray, foot in hell, but hand in heaven -
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Even when couldn’t see Father, trusts and pray, foot in hell, but hand in heaven -
Thief in PARADISE - infinite sacrifice is over, yes consequences still to be overcome, yes really sharing in the death until resurrection, but spiritual sacrifice - OVER - before the great results flow - REST , REAL REST! Like at the end of first 6 days, supposed to enter ETERNAL REST< but didn’t waiting for millennia, now accomplished - He enters that REST< NEW CREATION COMING .. but having accomplished it - really close the last 7th Day Sabbath - Work New Covenant that will begin with REST, on first day!
Like those hands of God now throw away the cup of wrath, the hands of the Father rush to receive spirit of the Messiah, yes really died, but sacrifice accepted , accomplished.
This mornign you too stand before these great miracles - will you also believe?
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B. The Torn Veil for understanding the open way to God!
B. The Tearing of the Veil, the only Way into God’s Full Presence for YOu & Me
The only Way into God’s Full Presence for YOu & Me And so now you can look a the second miracle Luke records with a new understanding of what’s going on here for us! So interesting that this miracle God performs is not by the Cross, it’s not in the execution chamber.
And so nwo you can look a the second miracle Luke records with a new undertanding of what’s going on here for us! So inteeresting that this miracle God performs is no not by the Cross, it’s not in the execution chamber.
Where is it - SPLITTING - like sky was rent when Christ came, heaven to earth, now temple veil - It remember is soon to be the evening of the Passover, a double holy one because it will fall on Friday/Sat on jewish Sabbath. With expectation priests preparing the evening sacrfice… in the temple - must of sound like 1000 people burst in and suddenly tear taer teart
And imagine the horror of that moment - priests made clean holy, order in the court - sacrifice time, only in the Holy Place, but disturbance not from people’s court, but from Place of God’s Dwelling the Most Holy Place.
That curtain - spectacular piece of linen fabric, embroidered with red, blue, and purple thread. layer upon layer of fabric. When I was a kid loved Dutch Dekken - heavy woolen blankets, When friends came over - ask why do you have a rug on your dining room table … thick… Kids with sensory problem - weighted blankets - this one as thick as a man’s hand. Talmud even says around this time strange occurrence in the temple. Well This veil 30 yard by 30 yards, almost hundred feet high - The moment Christ dies - head tilts, brain waves cease, flat line no pulse. From the top to the bottom and look at the little detail Luke alone records, special interest in Jesus’ relationship with the Temple!
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. [lit. in the middle]
while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Literally IN THE MIDDLE. And what you need to understand is that God is speaking in this miracles to you and me even today. At the centre of Israel's life was the tabernacle, the special presence of God, and that mercy seat on top - heart of relationship with God - atonement, - sacrifice - with properly cleansed priests , properly sprinkled blood, cleansed that that high priest, and only once a year - come into God’s special presence - bells on the tassels of his robe - - 2011 found one in drain channel, pure gold, with loop - make sure still alive as ministered on behalf of the people and for the Lord. And then rush out.
But listen when this final high priest anointed forever to be our mediaotr, when Jesus comes tot he centre day of world hisotry, when as the OT in Exzeliel says, God hismelf would appear and make atonement for his people.
Here is the shocking thing, he was n’t washed clean, he made no sacrfice for himself - This high priest bringing the offering for us - perfect spotless lamb - not a bone broken - miracle of providence - , but listen when our high priest goes into to make the sacrfice, he as it were , is ogiong through the reality of the tabernacle in heaven - on our beahlf with outr sins paid for by the sacrfice he is making on the Cross:
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
Instead of washed and cleansed to enter into God’s presence, he took on himself all our sin, and as he presents the offering of his own life on our behalf, it is like the bells stop tingling, our \high priest has been struck dead as becoming sin - he is so punished for our sin - that the Son of God incarnate dies - he has become the sacrifice. And at that very moment God is announcing by the miracle of the torn veil. Torn from top to bottom, divine passive, God did it, and he did it right in the middle so that all can enter!
God is announcing, no more temple, no more cleansing rituals, no more sacrifices All fulfilled in this moment. And what now - like never before since Eden, God and his people walk in each others presence. Listen God is announcing, don’t need priests with their rituals, you all are my priests, trusting this once for all sacrifice, - I invite you into the Most Holy Place God’s is announcing the dramatic end of the O Covenant Levitical ceremonial system. The reality the fulfillment is here now for any who trusts’ Christ sacrifice!
The question for you is - do you believe this miracle? Do you receive this invitation - or are you as it were living in the Old Way of - need ceremonies, and our efforts, and then partial presence of god; or are you living in the new reality - spiritual access - approach the throne of grace with boldness!
This is what Because of that His blood spilled 2000 years ago for you and me - will cleanse and purify you that you might serve God in new way really come into His presence
Just receive this invitation and come to him. You who think your sins are too many, or that they are to grat. NO. Listen:
But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Impossible that you could have sin too great, or sin too many times, that the infinite sufeering and perfect righteousness of Christ couldn't deal with it. Only the refusal to come by way of the Cross through the torn curtain could keep you in your sin and bring you damnation! But turn to him and look: how you can now live if you will come through the Veil that God Himself Tore in two for you to enter:
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Do you feel the truth of jesus’ words now in new way - I am the WAY, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me. Are you today, entering through the torn curtain - to live with God in that kind of new relationship?
Jesus said of marriage, what God has joined to together let no man separate. But listen now what God has torn apart, this curtain into his special presence, let no man sew back together again! Imagine until the destruction of the temple that what the priests had to do. But what about you?
Jesus came on Palm Sunday saying He was the king, but there was no peace on earth that day or Saturday, no glory in pain … ; but exaltation at his death in heaven, HE HAS DONE IT - immediate WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT … imputed to you and Me, thief on Cross - TODAY, with in PARADISE>..
saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
peace IN HEAVEN, GLORY in the highest = No peace on earth that day or Saturday, no glory in pain … ; but exaltation at his death in heaven, HE HAS DONE IT - immeadite WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT … imputed to you and Me, theif on Cross - TODAY, with in PARADISE>..
No peace on earth that day or Saturday, no glory in pain … ; but exaltation at his death in heaven, HE HAS DONE IT - immeadite WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT … imputed to you and Me, theif on Cross - TODAY, with in PARADISE>..
Do you know this peace of heaven and this glory worked out in the highest, the heavenly tabernacle. … Why Jesus died, deliver that kind of peace and glory into the lives of those reconciled to the Father, and now will live ion earth - for this kingdom of real peace and glory and righteousness!
Why we read also in that a “great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” This morning you too stand before these two great miracles - will you also believe?
This mornign you too stand before these great miracles - will you also believe?
But that leaves us with the last and what for you and me must be the most personal miracle of all at the cross. It demands your response!
C. Conversion at the Cross to Bring Us to a Change of Heart
The Change of Heart of the Centurion: Conversion
I am so glad that Luke records this miracle for us. We have just traveleed through the darkest night of all, it’s effects will linger in the tomb - but listen as soon as the punishment is paid that darkest night in the middle of earth day, that darkest night, becomes glorious day, like the first dawn in a new world. This miracle of the centurion calls for you to expeireince miracle at teh foot of teh Cross.
Strange teaching: but”
‘Real life begins at the Cross’
- can’t wait to get to the full effects in the resurrection story, but the beginning of life reall life, lfie from above is at the Cross. What has happened to you there?
There crowds of peope gathered in the darkness of the Cross. Three groups actually. Perculiar to have so many scribe sn Phariseess show up at so uncouth a place as execution - strange for the Romans to hear high class respectable “good people’ shout out with such vitriol and poison. Scoffing! Strange only three crucified and the focus all this one, dying, yet he has no vitriol as the worst of the worst criminal s who deserved the sentence normally did. That’s the first group these self-righteous religious people who had no room for this Jesus.
But the second group consists of the rabble Jesus was dying crucfeid beside, stuck in their sin now feeling effects of their sin, getting their deserts. It would seem that a crowd came to see a spectacle of violence for entertainment, but they leave, shaking with fear, and beating their breasts - what have we done: One of the criminals closed his heart to the Messiah. But the other, and Luke slows down the story-telling, captures the most vivd words at the Cross: All the action is told with short crisp verbs. But the dialogue, Jesus speech imperfect continuous verb tense: Jesus is saying: Father forgive them. Jesus is saying, Amen, today with ME in paradise you will be!” Showing through his death that there salvation for the worst of the worst of us.
And third group represented in the centurion. A Roman probably tired of the business of executions, and even more being stationed in hot tempered Judea with all its freedom fighters and Jewish nationality. Stear clear of any sympathy, involvment in their business, their religion!
But Luke who when the moment of the Cross come on Goglotha, goes out of his way to show Jesus vital words Father, forgive them! Also records this third and most imoprtant for miracle for us at the Cross. It happened to a Gentile solider standing by. He sees it all -and LOOK how Luke records it:
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
This ruler of a 100 soldiers sees innocent noble Jesus dying as the greatest travesty and can’t understand it - they stand a part weeping - this centurion I think we can safely say- will join the number of those true believers, but he is doing completely the opposite thing right now. He who has grown so use to death - observing how unique and miraculous this supernatural death of the Christ, the one called King but like the rulers of this earth - he sees it all - and baffled ,stunned,amazed, but something has happened with in him!
Can you imagine going to an execution of friend, family member - I don’t imagine their would be much more than empty stares with tear filled eyes, and murmurous of gut wrenching grief. But this centurion does 2 unusual things;
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
PRAISED GOD: Literally he DOXALIGED THE ONE TRUE GOD! Literally means to see soemthing particularly fine and to acknowledge it! What was it the crowd sang on Palm Sunday. Peace in the heavens and glory in the hightest! Can you see it too - we are at the lowest - maybe in your life too - and certainly in our death laid low in our sin, - but in Christ in our lowest there is glory in the highest . how did he get there , how can you and me?
Remember this man had just played apart in crucifying the LORD of Life - responsible - part of what later you with the help of wicked men put to death. Not only played a part in this crucifixion, but most likely mocked and ridiculed and made light of who Christ is and what he was doing.
But having his heart open to the wonders of the Cross, observed, Chrsit praying for forgivenss, he was eye-witness to a sudden change in the mocking cirminal on his right - humble acknoeldgement of his own guilt and Christ’s perfection - and Jesus atonihing words of Paradise and a kingdom - and being with Him today on the other side! He heard the gut wrenching cryof dereliction, yet follwod by COMPLETE and the calm way He entrusted Himself tot he One True God - Father.
And his heart5 is changed. And now instead of soldiers cursing this Gentile solider is the only one records at the Cross praising God. Why would he do that, not just see amazing Jesus. but he proclaims him innocent, literally RIGHTEOUS. Not enough to save, just to see Jesus as innocent sufferer. But look whatelse Mark records:
And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
He declared Jesus to be righteousness innocent Son of God - he saw the glory in the highest - and this makes this the most imoprtant miracle of all -
And as last breahe coing, listen to his last words - in Luke not it is finsihed, not I am finished, no the work was finished we see that by the temple veil;; But
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Can you look tothe Cross - and see the light at the end of the darkness? We still must descend into the grave -consider what Jesus does to death as the lord of Life, but can you see it - at the Cross already the light of salvaion. Simoeon said it predicted that this Jesus would be “a lightfor revelation tot he Gentiles” Now the light oafte the darkness has dawned on this Cetnurion. Has that light dawned at the Cross for you - do you know the open way given by the torn veil, do you know the darkness full and complete that fell on Christ - gave way to a light that shine in to our souls and never end? He stood at the foot fothe Corss - and he praised God - and proclaimed Christ …
Even when couldn’t see Father, trusts and pray, foot in hell, but hand in heaven -
We too!
Theif in PARADISE - infite sacrfacie is over, yes consequences still to be overcome, yes really sharing inthe death utnil resurretion, but spiritual sacrfice - OVER - before teh great results flow - REST , REAL REST! LIke at the end of first 6 days, supposed to evneter ETERNAL REST< but didn’t waiting for millenia, now accopmlished - He enters that REST< NEW CREATION COMING .. but having accoplished it - really close the last 7th Day Sabbath - QWork New COveanntthat will begin with REST, on first day!
What other miracles does God give for you to understand his death - yes we will need to understand his burial and his resurrection, but one more miracles !
Don’t you see it? It is the conversion of this solider!
not first soldier in Gospel, and this one an expert in death… didn do cruci- for Jesus… AND He praised God and bore witness. how conclusion innocent why important = Passover Lamb
COnclusion: Darkesness just ending, and sense of Father’s preene rtusted before light breaks, turned enmey into friend of God, add Father - appropriate Psalm to pray where David was praying for God to save him from enemeies… So too here …and united to him, su too… wrath, guilt, punishment, death - God as Father deliver even through the darkest night… = jesus last prayer, experience real God-forsakeness yet - call out trust, we too experience feelings of God forsakneess - silence of God - trust even in the darkness, nothing more you can do than cry… model for us even in our dying… Like Stephen Lord Jesus reeive my spirit! Polycarp, Jan Huss…
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.