Separation, Relationship, & Distress

Introduction

This study will be focusing on the final phrases spoken by Jesus as recorded in Scripture

Historically referred to as the Seven Last Words, these were uttered as he hanged upon a cross as an innocent man, yet paying for the sins of humanity

These phrases reflect both the humanity and deity of Christ, and unveil the plan of God in a succinct manner

These phrases are deliberate and reveal both the divinity and humanity of Christ

hypostatic union — 2 distinct natures (divine, human) in one person: Jesus Christ.

he is truly God and truly man

They teach us of God

And they teach us about ourselves

Sin is costly

Matthew 27:45–50 “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.”

Mark 15:33–37 “And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 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?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.”

Jesus hung on the cross for the sins of humanity

salvation is offered freely, but Jesus paid the price for it

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 14. The Death of Jesus (27:45–50)

In this cry of dereliction, the horror of the world’s sin and the cost of our salvation are revealed

roughly noon the whole area was covered in darkness

sin, evil, and judgment are often symbolized in Scripture with darkness

plagues in Egypt, darkness over the land preceded the final plague: death of firstborn

Jesus declared himself to be the “light of the world”, yet here as depicted in darkness

took the sin/guilt of others upon himself

John 1:5 “5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

1 John 1:5 “5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

In the darkness of our miseries the grace of God shines more brightly. — John Calvin (French Reformer)

Before the light of salvation loomed the dark night of judgment

The darkness endured by our blessed Surety on the cross was only for three hours. The chains of darkness which shall bind all who reject his atonement and die in sin shall be for evermore. — J. C. Ryle

Sin separates

What alone separates us from him is sin. It does not distance us from God locally but spiritually (Isa. 59:2) — Herman Bavinck (Dutch Systematic Theologian); John Bolt; John Vriend

Human sin is the barrier that separates us from God. — Larry Richards

Sin is anything that separates us from God—or, to put it another way, sin is an effort to separate God from the part of creation we are holding. — M. Craig Barnes

Sin separates us from God; Jesus Christ came to restore that broken relationship, and He did it by paying the penalty for sin, which is death. — Charles Caldwell Ryrie

Genesis 3:23–24 “23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Psalm 22:1 “1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”

Matthew records it in Hebrew; Mark uses Aramaic

Only quote appearing in multiple Gospel accounts

Psalm ends with the sufferer’s vindication and triumph

Righteous sufferer - quoting the first line would have evoked the entire Psalm, equating himself as awaiting righteous vindication

Jesus’ cry of Ps 22 reflects the separation sin brings between God and humanity

Number of theories as what Jesus means precisely here

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 14. The Death of Jesus (27:45–50)

It is better to take the words at face value: Jesus is conscious of being abandoned by his Father. For one who knew the intimacy of

Jesus’ death bridged the gulf between God and man

Relationship

John 19:26–27 “26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

Jesus’ concern is for his earthly mother. This phrase seems to indicate that Joseph is no longer in the picture and Jesus wants to ensure that Mary is cared for after he is returned to heaven.

Jesus’ love for his friends and family is evident, but something takes place.

Jesus has other siblings as well, but his prefers John’s care.

The blood of Christ births a new family

Christian community is rooted in mutual care

Distress

John 19:28 “28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.””

His statement solidifies his humanity. His suffering was not imaginary or metaphorical; it was real

Jesus expresses true human suffering

Jesus understands human suffering

Conclusion

Christ died so that we could live

He took your sin and guilt, and my sin and guilt, and paid the price we could not

His suffering showed that the sacrifice was real. This cost made reunion with God possible

Christ showed sacrificial love for others, so as disciples, we should do the same

Because Jesus suffered, he understands our suffering