Jesus Identified With Sinners

Jesus Identifies With Sinners

A. As we continue marching toward the cross, we have covered Jesus’ first three sayings from the cross.

1. “Father, forgive them.” - Shows His pity for men

2. “Today, you will be with me.” Shows His power to save

3. “Woman, behold your son.” Shows His provision for those He loved

B. The next saying from the cross is a difficult saying

1. Martin Luther gave up trying to understand it. He said, “God forsaken of God, who can understand that?”

2. This is the word that identifies Jesus with sinners

Jesus Identifies With the Sinner’s Darkness (v. 45)

Matthew 27:45 NKJV

45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.

A. Darkness descends over the earth for three hours.

1. Many explanations for this, but we believe this is supernatural.

B. This pictures for us the supernatural darkness brought by sin

1. The mind of man is darkened (Rom. 1:21)

Romans 1:21 NKJV

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

2. The deeds of men apart from God are called the works of darkness (Rom. 13:12-14; Eph. 5:1-11)

3. Man yield himself to Satan who is called the prince of darkness (Eph. 6:12)

4. Sin in its end brings eternal darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13)

C. Jesus, the light of the world, dies in darkness to deliver us from darkness (Col. 1:12-14; John 8:12)

Colossians 1:12–14 NKJV

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

John 8:12 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Jesus Identifies With the Sinner’s Uncertainty (v. 46)

Matthew 27:46 NKJV

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

A. My God! My God! Why????

B. Jesus, who was always so certain about everything

1. The experience with the synagogue leaders at 12 years old.

2. At the wedding in Cana and at the feeding of the 5,000

3. When the storm was raging on the Sea of Galilee

C. The lost man lives in a world of uncertainty

1. Why am I here?

2. What is life all about?

D. This uncertainty leads to agony of the soul

1. Isaiah: “The wicked are like the troubled sea” (Is. 57:20-21)

2. The spiritual agony of sin: a lifestyle of sin can eat at your soul.

E. Many today are feeling the agony of soul that comes from sin.

F. Jesus feels it with you… He endured the uncertainty on the cross for us.

Jesus Identifies With the Sinner’s Separation From God (v. 46)

A. “Why have you forsaken me?”

B. It was impossible for the Father to look on Him as He took the sinner’s place

C. John R. Rice said: “To understand this, you would have to be sinless and go to hell in that state”

D. He doesn’t say “Father”, but takes the place of a lost soul and calls Him God.

E. He was forsaken that you might never be forsaken (Heb. 13:5)

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Conclusion

A. It is not necessary for anyone to continue in darkness and uncertainty

B. It’s our responsibility to help others identify with Jesus.

C. For those listening to this message, Will you turn from sin to Christ and trust Him as your Savior?