The reality of and the reactions to the cross

April 6, 2023

Preacher: Alun Johnson

Series: Visiting Preachers

Passage: Matthew 27:27-56

Service Type: Good Friday

Introduction

Was there a time when you were in awe?
- Examples
- How did these moments make you feel?
Matt 27 - is an awe inspiring experience
- In a way different to the previous examples
- It cannot make us think better of the world around us
- It is a historical account that makes us aware we stand on holy ground
It is a well known passage
- Have we really heard it all before?
- There are events beyond human understanding

Example of The Passion of the Christ
- The history of the cross has been sanitised
  - But it was brutal
- Any crucifixion was horrifying
  - Quote from Cicero
The gospels talk a lot about the crucifixion
- Jesus endured such torture at the cross - examples
- There is little of the physicality in the gospels - examples
There is little of the reality because the main thing is the significance of the event
- We are to focus on the spiritual and not the physical
- This is no ordinary death
- You cannot avoid it:
  - Darkness and dereliction
  - Divine vandalism - the tearing of the curtain
  - Death reversed - a mass resurrection

Example of the Blackout
- It must have been disconcerting and eerie
There was a major blackout
- An extensive darkness that lasted about 3 hours - when the sun was supposed to at its highest
Why darkness?
- It is a symbol of darkness
- 2 Peter 2:17
- Matt 24:29
A cry of dereliction - v46
- Judgement falling upon Jesus
- God never ceased to love His Son
- Jesus is forsaken
- 2 Cor 5:21
How do we respond?
- Our sin is absolutely awful
- It caused Jesus to be made sin for us
- God deals with our sin [through Jesus] - He chooses to remember our sins no more
- Isa 53:5
Are you a Christian?
- If so, you are free from sin
If not?
- The world does not understand and explains away sin
  - People are not held accountable for the actions
  - Quote from Ben Fogle - be who you are
- We are sinners and our sin is real to God
  - God will hold us to account
Does this not make us hate our sin all the more?
- Quote from Paul McLachlan
- God is making something good from evil
It is finished (v50)

The curtain is torn in two
- The Jewish priests would have been ministering in the temple
- But now it is open to all
- The ceremonial law has been removed
- Heb 10:20
Quote fromSong: There is a way back to God

An earthquake so violent it splits rocks and opens tombs
The resurrection of the dead - v52
This confirms:
- That sin is forgiven
- That death is defeated
- That we have eternal life
Quote from Ricky Gervais
- Our life is eternal
- There is no victory or sting in death

There were witnesses present that respond in different ways
- If eye witnesses were ignorant of the implications - how much more can we be?

The crowd - v40
The chief priests, scribes and elders - v42-43
- Those who were in the greatest place to recognise Jesus ...
- Were the ones that were most ridiculing Jesus
Have we been doing the same?
- Do not be blinded to the need to have forgiveness of sin
- Repent now

Luke 23:48
They beat their breasts to show grief ...
- They realise that they are responsible for the death of Jesus ...
- But walk away to carry on their lives
2 Cor 7:10
- Do not drift away

Women and disciples following Jesus at a distance
They are playing it safe
- Are we Christians who play it safe?
- Who keep a distance from Jesus Christ?

He realises that this crucifixion was like no other he had witnessed before
- He realises that this is a Righteous Man / the Son of God
What do you think?
- Look [to Jesus] today
- Look [to Jesus] and believe