Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Focusing on v33-34, v38-39
• The media shows us so much of the worlds horrors
• The gospel writers are remarkably restrained 
• Crucifixion was a horrific thing
• v20, 24-25: little detail provided
• The writers focus on other matters which take us to the heart of the events
• Three central matters of the cross and the Christian Gospel
• Two outcomes:
• You will know what the Christian message is
• We need spiritual understanding
• To be reminded of the cross
• Overview:
• The Darkness (v33)
• The Cry of Desolation (v34)
• The Destruction (v38)

The Darkness (v33)

• Darkness over the land at 12-3pm
• Darkness at the brightest time of day
• Darkness over the whole land of Israel
• Darkness at a time of year you would not get an eclipse
• What does the darkness mean?
• Amos 8:9
• An act of judgment upon the people for their sin
• A picture of final judgment
• Not a lost eternity but an eternal blackness of outer darkness
• Conscious of the eternal fact that God is displeased and angry with them
• A plight too dreadful to contemplate
• Are we out of step with our Christian forebears?
• Have we become immunised to the plight of those around us?
• Exodus
• Darkness of the penultimate plague
• A darkness that could be felt
• A darkness that fell upon all people (including Jesus)
• A darkness fell upon Jesus (v34)
• A real darkness
• No deliverance

The Cry of Desolation (v34)

• This cry reveals what Jesus has been experiencing internally
• Psalm 22:1
• Example - David felt forsaken by God, but he was not, Job hit such a point
• The Lords people can feel abandoned
• However, God never forsakes His people
• Examples - Daniel
• Jesus is absolutely alone
• He feels utterly forsaken
• It is not a cry of despair and unbelief
• It is a cry of faith, "My God, My God"
• Not a rhetorical question or question for information - a lament
• Poem by Elizabeth Browning
• Quote of Hymn
• The gospel writers have not given us the gory details since they are communicating the severity of the spiritual situation
• Explanation
• The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin
• The assurance of sins forgiven

The Destruction (v38)

• The veil of the temple was torn in two after Jesus breathed His last
• Explanation of the Most Holy Place
• Keep out!
• It was dangerous for sinners to come into contact with God
• The way is now open to go into the Most Holy Place
• The way is now open to God
• God says, "Come"
• Christ's blood and righteousness clothes us
• 2 Cor 5:21
• Ps 22:30-31
• Our access to God is based on the finished work of Christ
• The beginning of the end of the temple (v29-30)
• He was previously talking about His body
• Because He is the temple, the temple is coming to an end
• We meet God through Jesus Christ - He has opened the way
• There are no longer any sacred places
• There is no longer any sacred land
• There are no longer special people in terms of access to God
• All Christians are saints and priests (though there are difference offices)