The Cross and the Chaos (Ebenezer) Part 2: The Crucifixion (Phrases/Prompts)

Introduction

Attention:

Dilated eyes

The Problem of Evil (POE): “If God exists and He is good, why is there so much bad stuff in the world?”

Not alone

Mark 15

Need:

No. 1 barrier for Gen Z

Going through hard things

Body

The Big Idea: Jesus shares our sufferings

The Question: How does Jesus share our sufferings?

1. He asks our questions

2. He suffers without cause

3. He gives pain a purpose

Mark 15:33–34 ESV

33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Explanation:

On a basic level, what does Jesus do in verse 34?

Asks God a question.

Why?

Psalm 22

Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV)

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.

David: suffering itself

Psalms are songs

Jesus sings with us

What is the simple question that Jesus is asking God?

“Why?”

The POE question

Not answering/asking

He identifies with us (Hebrews 4:15),

Asking > Answering

Relationship > Obedience

Illustration:

Asking a question at school

Application:

What questions have you been asking God recently?

How does it make you feel to see that Jesus asked a similar question?

Transition statement: Jesus isn’t just asking this question, he’s doing it while suffering without cause

The Big Idea: Jesus shares our sufferings

The Question: How does Jesus share our sufferings?

1. He asks our questions

2. He suffers without cause

3. He gives pain a purpose

Mark 15:34 (ESV)

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Explanation:

Forsaken = suffering “without cause” (Psalm 22)

What are some examples of the innocent suffering?

E.g. Ukraine

Jesus is stainless

Without sin (1 Peter 2:22);

The spotless lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19)

He takes our stains

Jesus’ suffering > anyone else’s

Illustration:

Spilling coffee on myself

Application

What is it about seeing the innocent suffer that you hate the most?

How does seeing that Jesus is the embodiment of innocence change your perspective?

How can Christ’s innocence change the way that you ask your questions?

Feet fully planted

Transition statement: Even though Jesus died without cause, He did not die without purpose.

The Big Idea: Jesus shares our sufferings

The Question: How does Jesus share our sufferings?

1. He asks our questions

2. He suffers without cause

3. He gives pain a purpose

Mark 15:37–39 (ESV)

37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 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!”

Explanation

How was the death of Jesus the worst evil ever committed?

He is God

Not purposeless

“Some goods can’t exist apart from the evils to which they are a response.” “There is no courage without danger, no sympathy without suffering, no forgiveness without sin, no atonement without suffering, no compassion without need, no patience without adversity.” -The Gospel Coalition

Scope of Scripture

Genesis 50:20

God’s in control

According to this passage, what is the greater good?

The temple curtain

2-3 inches thick

Can’t be done by humans

Holy of Holies

Priests

All have access

Goods outweigh evils

Infinitely greater

“He died forsaken by God so that His people might claim God as their God and never be forsaken.” -John D. Grassmick

Worst thing = best thing

Praise be to God!

Illustration:

Deanna

Application:

What pain are you going through that feels purposeless?

How does seeing that Jesus’ pain had a purpose give you hope?

Since Jesus joins us in our suffering, are you willing to join Him in His?

Bigger than us

Conclusion

Visualization

Here you stand with your questions about God and the nature of evil.

And now, here you stand at the foot of the cross.

How will you respond?

Reiteration

Difficult things

Salvation

Next step

How respond?

PRAY