Jesus Fast from the Cross
BBC FASTING FROM THE CROSS MATTHEW 27:34-50 DECEMBER 1, 2007
MATTHEW 27:34-50 34 1 THEY GAVE HIM VINEGAR TO DRINK MINGLED WITH GALL: AND WHEN HE HAD TASTED THEREOF, HE WOULD NOT DRINK.
35 1 AND THEY CRUCIFIED HIM, AND PARTED HIS GARMENTS, CASTING LOTS: THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET, THEY PARTED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND UPON MY VESTURE DID THEY CAST LOTS. 36 AND SITTING DOWN THEY WATCHED HIM THERE; 37 1 AND SET UP OVER HIS HEAD HIS ACCUSATION WRITTEN, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 1 THEN WERE THERE TWO THIEVES CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, ONE ON THE RIGHT HAND, AND ANOTHER ON THE LEFT. 39 1 AND THEY THAT PASSED BY REVILED HIM, WAGGING THEIR HEADS, 40 AND SAYING, THOU THAT DESTROYEST THE TEMPLE, AND BUILDEST IT IN THREE DAYS, SAVE THYSELF. IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS. 41 LIKEWISE ALSO THE CHIEF PRIESTS MOCKING HIM, WITH THE SCRIBES AND ELDERS, SAID, 42 HE SAVED OTHERS; HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE. IF HE BE THE KING OF ISRAEL, LET HIM NOW COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS, AND WE WILL BELIEVE HIM. 43 HE TRUSTED IN GOD; LET HIM DELIVER HIM NOW, IF HE WILL HAVE HIM: FOR HE SAID, I AM THE SON OF GOD. 44 THE 1 THIEVES ALSO, WHICH WERE CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, CAST THE SAME IN HIS TEETH. 45 1 NOW FROM THE SIXTH HOUR THERE WAS DARKNESS OVER ALL THE LAND UNTO THE NINTH HOUR. 46 AND ABOUT THE NINTH HOUR JESUS CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING, ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? THAT IS TO SAY, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU 1 FORSAKEN ME? 47 SOME OF THEM THAT STOOD THERE, WHEN THEY HEARD THAT, SAID, THIS MAN CALLETH FOR 1 ELIAS.
48 AND STRAIGHTWAY ONE OF THEM RAN, AND TOOK A SPONGE, AND FILLED IT WITH VINEGAR, AND PUT IT ON A REED, AND GAVE HIM TO DRINK. 49 THE REST SAID, LET BE, LET US SEE WHETHER ELIAS WILL COME TO SAVE HIM. 50 1 JESUS, WHEN HE HAD CRIED AGAIN WITH A LOUD VOICE, YIELDED UP THE GHOST.
INTRO: CHRISTMAS IS COSTLY: THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON STARTED THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS “BLACK FRIDAY” SOME RETAILERS MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THEIR PROFITS IN THIS SEASON OF CHRISTMAS. WAL-MART HAS CUT PRICES, SAMS CLUB HAS OFFERED CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, VALUE CITY GAVE AUTOMATIC DISCOUNTS. BIGRESEACH CONSUMER SURVEY...RESEARCH SHOWS THAT DESPITE THE TIGHT ECONOMY...IT WILL COST THE AVERAGE PERSON...$816.69 FOR GIFTS AND COST THEM AN ADDITIONAL $109.67 ON THEMSELVES. CHRISTMAS IS COSTLY.
IT COST MARY AND JOSEPH THE COMFORTS OF HOME DURING A LONG PERIOD OF EXILE IN EGYPT TO PROTECT THE LITTLE BABE. IT COST MOTHERS IN AND AROUND BETHLEHEM THE MASSACRE OF THEIR BABIES BY THE CRUEL ORDER OF HEROD. IT COST THE SHEPHERDS THE COMPLACENCY OF THEIR SHEPHERDS’ LIFE, WITH THE CALL TO THE MANGER AND TO TELL THE GOOD NEWS. IT COST THE WISE MEN A LONG JOURNEY AND EXPENSIVE GIFTS AND CHANGED LIVES. IT COST THE EARLY APOSTLES AND THE EARLY CHURCH PERSECUTION AND SOMETIMES DEATH. IT COST MISSIONARIES OF CHRIST UNTOLD SUFFERING AND PRIVATION TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS. IT COST CHRISTIAN MARTYRS IN ALL AGES THEIR LIVES FOR CHRIST’S SAKE. MORE THAN ALL THIS, IT COST GOD THE FATHER HIS OWN SON—HE SENT HIM TO THE EARTH TO SAVE MEN. IT COST JESUS A LIFE OF SACRIFICE AND SERVICE, A DEATH CRUEL AND UNMATCHED IN HISTORY.
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EXPL: IN THE TEXT, WE GONE FROM THE CENSUS THAT BROUGHT THE COUPLE TO THE CITY OF DAVID; WE’RE A LONG WAY FROM THE CHORUS OF ANGELS WHO SAID, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST; A LONG WAY FROM CHRIST, NO IN A CRADLE BUT A MANGER. AND WE ARE FASTED WITH THE COST OF SALVATION AND WE ARE FACE TO FACE WITH CHRIST AND HIS CRUCIFIXION.
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS AND
JESUS ON THE CROSS...HEARS THE SOLDIERS CAST LOST FOR HIS CLOTHES
THERE IS THE CITATION ON THE CROSS...JESUS KING OF THE JEWS
THE CRIMINALS ALONGSIDE THE CROSS...THE TWO ROBBERS
THE CONTEMPT FROM THE CROSS...THE CROWD AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
THE CLOUD OF DARKNESS THAT COVERED ALL THE LAND
THE CRY FROM THE CROSS....THOSE SEVEN SAYINGS.
THE CESSATION ON THE CROSS WHERE JESUS DIES....
THERE AS PART OF THE CRUCIFIXION IS THE CUP FROM THE CROSS...
FROM THE CROSS HE REFUSED THE VINEGAR AND GALL, THE SOUR WINE....HE TURNED IT DOWN....HE SO TO SPEAK...FASTED FROM THE CROSS.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THIS CLIMACTIC MOMENT AS EVIL LOOMS AND THE DEMON PRANCE AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS; WHAT IS TAKING PLACE TO SECURE YOUR SALVATION AND MY SALVATION AS JESUS WHO KNEW NO SIN BECAME SIN.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CUP FO THE CROSS.
TS: AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE WE WILL HAVE GREATER APPRECIATION FOR THE CUP OF THE CROSS.
IF WE LOOK AT IT THERE IS NOT JUST THE CUP OF THE CROSS..BUT THE CUPS OF THE CROSS..THERE ARE THREE CUPS WE’D LIKE TO LOOK AT FROM THE TEXT.
MPI. THE CUP OF COMPASSION V. 34 AND THEY GAVE HIM WINE VINEGAR MIXED, MINGLED, WITH GALL; AND AFTER TASTING THE DRINK, HE REFUSED AND WAS UNWILLING TO DRINK IT.
THE VINEGAR WAS LIGHT WINE THAT WAS ACIDIC AND WAS A COMMON DRINK AMONG THE ROMANS SOLDIERS...MINGLED WITH GALL OR AS MARK SAID, :MYRRH...SYMBOLIZED A BITTER DRINK..THAT WAS MIXED BY THE WOMEN OF THE CROSS THAT SERVED AS AN ANESTHETIC TO DEADEN THE PAIN, TO MAKE THE CROSS BEARABLE. IT WAS A CUP OF COMPASSION.
IMP. CHRIST REFUSED THEIR ACT OF COMPASSION BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT REDUCE THE PAIN; OR REMOVE THE AGONY OF THE CROSS, OR HAVE HIS SENSES DULLED TO DEAL WITH SIN AND DEATH.
PROVERBS 31:6 GIVE STRONG DRINK TO HIM WHO IS PERISHING, AND WINE TO THOSE WHO ARE BITTER OF HEART.
NKJ 1 TIMOTHY 5:23 NO LONGER DRINK ONLY WATER, BUT USE A LITTLE WINE FOR YOUR STOMACH'S SAKE AND YOUR FREQUENT INFIRMITIES.
JESUS REFUSED TO COMPROMISE SALVATION WITH AN ACT OF COMPASSION AS WELL AS FULFILLED SCRIPTURE.
PSALM 69:21 THEY GAVE ME ALSO GALL FOR MY MEAT; AND IN MY THIRST THEY GAVE ME VINEGAR TO DRINK.
APP: THERE ARE TIMES WHEN ACTS OF COMPASSION COMPROMISE WHAT GOD IS DOING AND WHERE GOD IS TAKING US; SOMETIMES THERE IS NO EASY WAY OUT.
ILL: WHEN COMPASSION GETS IN THE WAY OF SELF DENIAL: SELF-DENIAL FOR OTHERS
A FRIEND TOLD ME THAT HE WAS VISITING A LIGHTHOUSE LATELY, AND SAID TO THE KEEPER: “ARE YOU NOT AFRAID TO LIVE HERE? IT IS A DREADFUL PLACE TO BE CONSTANTLY IN.” “NO,” REPLIED THE MAN, “I AM NOT AFRAID. WE NEVER THINK OF OURSELVES HERE.” “NEVER THINK OF YOURSELVES! HOW IS THAT?” THE REPLY WAS A GOOD ONE. “WE KNOW THAT WE ARE PERFECTLY SAFE, AND ONLY THINK OF HAVING OUR LAMPS BURNING BRIGHTLY, AND KEEPING THE REFLECTORS CLEAR, SO THAT THOSE IN DANGER MAY BE SAVED.” THAT IS WHAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO DO. THEY ARE SAFE IN A HOUSE BUILT ON A ROCK, WHICH CANNOT BE MOVED BY THE WILDEST STORM, AND IN A SPIRIT OF HOLY UNSELFISHNESS THEY SHOULD LET THEIR LIGHT GLEAM ACROSS THE DARK WAVES OF SIN, THAT THEY WHO ARE IMPERILED MAY BE GUIDED INTO THE HARBOR OF ETERNAL SAFETY.
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MP II. THE CUP OF WRATH
WHAT IS UNSEEN IS THE CUP OF WRATH OR AS JOHN CALLED IT THE CUP OF SORROW.
IT POINTS BACK TO NUN 5 WHEN A MAN SUSPECTED HIS WIFE WAS UNFAITHFUL...SHE WAS REQUIRED TO DRINK A POTION PREPARED BY THE PRIEST. IF SHE WAS INNOCENT, THE DRINK WOULD NOT HURT HER..BUT IF GUILTY..SHE WOULD SUFFER ...
IN GOD’S JUDGMENT OF THE NATION.......THEY WERE MADE TO DRINK THE CUP..
AND WHO COULD FORGET PHARAOH WHO REFUSED TO LET ISRAEL GO..HE WAS MADE TO DRINK OF THE CUP OF GOD’S WRATH...
HOWEVER IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, AS HE PRAYED HE SAID....O MY FATHER, IF IT BE POSSIBLE LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME: NEVERTHELESS NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT...A SECOND TIME HE PRAYED THE SAME PRAYER. JOHN 18:11...
IMP. JESUS DIDN’T SHY AWAY FROM THE CUP BUT WILLING TOOK THE CUP AND DRANK TO THE BITTER END...HE WAS FULLY CONSCIOUS WHEN HE DRANK THE POISON OF SIN AND DEATH..HE WILLING RECEIVED THE BITTER CUP. TO WILLINGLY TOOK JUDGMENT FOR EVERYONE.
REMEMBER BEFORE THE REQUEST OF THE MOTHER OF JAMES AND JOHN...PLACEMENT IN THE KINGDOM; JESUS SAID, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ASKING, ARE YOU ABLE TO DRINK OF THE CUP THAT I SHALL DRINK OF, AND TO BE BAPTIZED WITH THE BAPTISM THAT I AM BAPTIZED WITH? THEY SAID ,,,,,WE ARE ABLE..MT. 20:22 JESUS ANSWERED...INDEED ...YOU WILL INDEED DRINK FROM MY CUP...BUT TO SIT ON THE RIGHT OR LEFT IS NOT FOR M E TO GRANT.
REMEMBER THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN’: HEB 2:9 BE WE SEE JESUS WHO WAS MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH, CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOR; THAT HE BY THE GRACE OF GOD SHOULD TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN.
REMEMBER REVELATION...THERE ARE SEVEN CUPS OF WRATH BET. CH. 15-16
APP: APPRECIATE THIS CUP, THE CUP OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
SINCE HE DRANK OF THE CUP FOR ME, I WILL NOT HAVE TO DRINK OF THE CUP OF HIS WRATH.
ILL: AN ARTIST CAN PAINT THE PHYSICAL HANDS AND FEET OF OUR LORD, BUT HE CANNOT PAINT THE HEALING POWER OF THOSE HANDS AND THE GODLY WALK OF THOSE FEET.
HE CAN PAINT THE OUTWARD SUFFERING, BUT NOT THE INWARD CAUSE; THE CURSED TREE, BUT NOT THE CURSE OF THE LAW;
THE BEARING OF THE CROSS, BUT NOT THE BEARING OF THE SINS OF HIS PEOPLE;
THE CUP OF VINEGAR, BUT NOT THE CUP OF WRATH—
THE DERISION OF HIS ENEMIES AND THE FORSAKING OF THE FATHER.
WHERE IS THE ARTIST WHO CAN PAINT ONE HAND OF CHRIST NAILED TO THE CROSS AND THE OTHER HAND CLAIMING AN INHERITANCE OF BELIEVERS?
OR WHO CAN PAINT OUR LORD BRUISING THE SERPENT’S HEAD,
CONQUERING SIN, DEATH AND THE GRAVE?
THE ARTIST CAN ONLY PORTRAY BLOOD AND WATER FLOWING FROM CHRIST’S SIDE, BUT HE CANNOT PAINT WHAT THE EYE OF FAITH SEES IN THAT BLOOD: SALVATION AND PARDON.
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MP III. CUP OF COMPLETION V. 48
AFTER HE WHO KNEW NO SIN, BECAME SIN AND HE CRIED OUT, MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME.....ONE OF THEM RAN OVER AND FILLED A SPONGE WITH SOUR WINE, HOLDING IT UP TO HIM ON A REED STICK SO HE COULD DRINK.... FROM NOON TO 3PM JESUS HUNG ON THE CROSS AS DARKNESS COVERED THE WORK OF SALVATION AS JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD TOOK AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. HE WAS RANSOMED AND HE REDEEMED US FROM CHAINS OF SIN. AND HERE IT RECEIVES THE DRINK. NOTICE HE REFUSED THEN HE RECEIVED. WHY.
IMP. WORK ON THE CROSS WAS DONE...SALVATION SECURE....AND THE DRINK REVIVE HIM, GIVING HIM ENOUGH STRENGTH TO CRY, IT IS FINISHED AND COMMEND HIS SPIRIT INTO HIS FATHER HANDS. HE IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL, CHRIST IS NOT A VICTIM BUT A CONQUEROR. AND HE AS ACCOMPLISHED HIS TASK....
GEN 3:15 – AND I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN THEE AND THE WOMAN,
AND THY SEED AND HER SEED; IT SHALL BRUISE THY HEAD, AND THOU SHALT BRUISE HIS HEEL.
JOHN 19:28 – AFTER THIS, JESUS KNOWING ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED, THAT THE SCRIPTURE MIGHT BE FULFILLED, SAID..I THIRST.
PHIL 2:7 HE MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF ME. AND BEING FOUND IN FASHIONED AS A MAN HE HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS.
APP: SALVATION IS COMPLETE AND FINISHED..... HE IS MIGHT TO SAVE!
WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, WE CAN REJOICE AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE WITH JOY.
YES, IT IS NOT MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS...BUT THROUGH THE FAITH IN CHRIST...WE ARE COMPLETE AND CLOTHED IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
THE BIBLE IS FULL OF CUPS....AS THEY HOLD BLESSINGS OR CURSES...IT MAY HOLD A BLESSING LIQUID THAT SUSTAINS LIFE OR IT MAY HOLD THE CURSED LIQUID THAT INDUCES DRUNKENNESS OR EVEN DEATH.
JESUS COMMEND COMPASSION IN THE GIVING OF A CUP OF COLD WATER
AND THE PSALMIST SAID. MY CUP RUNNETH OVER...
AS WE REFLECT IN THE MIDST OF THE SUFFERING OF CALVARY...AND THE CROSS...
THAT JESUS DIED...WILLING DRINKING OF THE CUP....FILLED WITH HORRORS...HE ALSO WAS BURIED..BUT HE ALSO ROSE FROM THE DEAD...WITH ALL POWER..AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TH AT TIME AND DAY..WHERE WE DRINK ..A NEW WITH CHRIST IN THE FATHER’S HOUSE.
WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD FOR ALL IS BLESSINGS..............
CHRIST DRANK FROM THE CUP OF WRATH
SO WE COULD DRINK OF THE CUP OF SALVATION
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[1] AMG Bible Illustrations. electronic ed. Chattanooga : AMG Publishers, 2000 (Logos Library System; Bible Illustrations Series)
[2] AMG Bible Illustrations. electronic ed. Chattanooga : AMG Publishers, 2000 (Logos Library System; Bible Illustrations Series)
[3] AMG Bible Illustrations. electronic ed. Chattanooga : AMG Publishers, 2000 (Logos Library System; Bible Illustrations Series)