Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Easter is increasingly securalised
• Many in school are now being taught about the easter bunny
• The Real Easter Egg was sold last year by Sainsbury's and Asda, but not this year
• Change
• A man from Africa - Simon of Cyrene
• Change in his life and the life of his family
• Change in one of the men on the cross
• Change in the natural realm
• Change in the Centurion

Change in Simon of Cyrene

• He was compelled to carry Jesus' cross
• John 19:17 - Jesus carried His own cross
• Jesus began the long trek carrying His own cross
• He is in tremendous weakness
• He is physically unable to carry the cross
• Simon came from Africa to celebrate the Passover
• Think of the Ethiopian who came to celebrate the Passover
• He had two children - Alexander and Rufus
• It would appear that the sons were well known amongst the local church
• When did the walk of faith in Simon begin?
• Perhaps it was here
• Maybe he stayed on and watched Jesus being crucified
• We imagine he confessed the Lord Jesus shortly after
• His carrying of the cross was symbolic
• Every believer is called to take up their cross
• We are to bare the reproach of Jesus (Hebrews)
• Our cross is a wooden cross, not an iron cross
• Jesus' yoke is heavy but the burden is light - CHECK
• Always remember that following Jesus Christ means taking up your cross
• We see the beginning of change in a godfearer

Change in one of the criminals on the Cross

• A reviler
• Worthy of capital punishment - not just robbers
• They heard the abuse aimed at Jesus on the cross (v29-32)
• People were twisting what Jesus had previously said
• The scribes were sneering, mocking, laughing and taunting Jesus
• They are like the bulls of Bashan and the dogs that have surrounded Jesus (Ps 22:12,14)
• The two criminals also reviled Jesus
• Not one person spoke a word in favour
• One of the criminals changed his mind
• He asked Jesus to forgive him
• "Today you will be with me in paradise"
• His sins were cancelled
• Consider the story of John Rocker (?fella)
• God can save anybody and any time
• We should not leave it to our last hour
• One robber went to hell - we never know when our time is up
• "Today is the day of salvation"

Change for Jesus

• A temporary change in His relationship with the Father as a human
• Jesus was never separated from the Father in His divinity
• Jesus was fully God and fully human
• For the first time he knew separation from the Father (in his human side)
• Jesus cries out 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?'
• God is a Holy God and will never sweep sin under the carpet
• He will always punish sin
• In order for us to be forgiven we need someone to be punished in our place
• God has promised that He will never abandon us
• We may feel alone - but it is usually because we have left God's side
• We have often lost that peace and love because of our failing
• Sometimes it because God is testing us
• The truth is that God is always with us
• He gave up His Spirit, He was raised from the dead

Change for the Natural World

• Supernatural darkness
• Jesus was on the cross for 6 hours
• 9am - the third hour, then 12pm - the sixth hour, then 3pm - the ninth hour
• There was darkness for 3 hours
• This wasn't an eclipse of the sun
• An eerie darkness - people were beating the breasts and weeping
• It was such a holy thing that no-one was permitted to see the Son of God
• A great earthquake
• It is as if the earth is reacting to the death of His maker
• The temple curtain is torn in two
• The curtain that separated the temple from the Holy of Holies
• A supernatural act
• God was saying that the way into His presence was open through the Lord Jesus Christ
• There is no longer need for a physical temple and sacrifices
• This event was unlike any event that had ever taken place in history

Change in the Centurion

• He had heard the cry of Jesus, the words of Jesus and saw Him give up His spirit
• He concluded that this man truly was the Son of God
• What is your conclusion?
• You can't be indifferent
• For some He is just a historical figure or a good teacher
• This view cannot be squared up with the Bible - it says He is the Son of God
• The men (roman soldiers) were casting lots for Jesus' seamless garment
• The Centurion concludes that this man is the Son of God
• What is your conclusion?
• Are you trusting and following Him?
• Believe in the Son of God, confess your sins, take up your cross and follow Him