Prophetic Picture Of Crucifixion Series

BIG IDEA:

THE MESSIAH SUFFERS EXTREME REJECTION (CRUEL CRUCIFIXION)BUT ANTICIPATES THAT GOD’S DELIVERANCE WILL SPARK EVER EXPANDING CIRCLES OF PRAISE AND TESTIMONY

INTRODUCTION:

AGONIZING QUESTION:

"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46)

The initial cry from the Cross

Wever: “only one answer = Jesus must have been bearing the sins of the world on the cross; He knew that the separating agent was sin;

He wasn’t asking for information; he was dying as our representative substitute -- the wrath of God was borne by Him in our stead; we don’t know the exceeding awfulness of sin”

I. (:1-5) THE PARADOX OF BEING FORSAKEN BY GOD THE FATHER

A. (:1b) Paradox of Suffering Instead of Deliverance

“Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.”

B. (:2) Paradox of God’s Silence Instead of Answered Prayer

“O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer;

And by night, but I have no rest.”

C. (:3) Anchor Amidst Confusion = High View of God

1. High View of God’s Character

“Yet Thou art holy”

2. High View of God’s Position

“O Thou who art enthroned upon the praise of Israel”

Picture God seated on a throne that is supported only by the praises of His people

D. (:4-5) Paradox of God’s Deliverance in the Experience of the Jewish Fathers

Contrast between:

the experience of Messiah = personally forsaken by God the Father

the experience of the Jewish fathers = cried for help and were delivered

Common Thread: Faith in God

It seems that the God who answers the prayers of sinful man is not answering the prayer

of the sinless Messiah.Contrast between:

being forsaken never being disappointed

(Theme: "Be not far off" -- repeated in vs. 11 and vs. 19)

II. (:6-8) THE PUBLIC HUMILIATION AT THE HANDS OF ARROGANT MOCKERS

A. (:6-7) Treated with Contempt

1. Like a Worm Instead of a Man

“But I am a worm, and not a man”

The King of kings is not even given the respect due any man

2. “A reproach of men”

3. “Despised by the people”

B. (:8) Mocked for His Faith

1. Mocked by Body Language

a. “sneer at me”

b. “separate with the lip”

c. “wag the head”

2. Mocked by Verbal Taunts

“saying, ‘Commit yourself to the Lord; let Hm deliver him;

Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.’”

the opposite of fearing the Lord

mocking his commitment to the Lord

III. (:9-10) THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP HAS DEEP ROOTS

A. Rooted in Origination of Existence

“Yet Thou art He who didst bring me forth from the womb”

B. Rooted in Initiation of Faith

“Thou didst make me trust when upon my mother’s breasts”

C. Rooted in Continuation of Lifelong Personal Relationship

“Upon Thee I was cast from birth;

Thou hast been my God from my mother’s womb.”

from day 1 that relationship has been present and the Providence of God has directed all his paths.

IV. (:11-18) THE PICTURE OF CRUCIFIXION IS PRECISE AND VERY DETAILED

Amazing picture of Crucifixion written 1000 years before such a form of execution was

practiced on a regular basis

A. (:11) Refrain: Stick Close; I Need Your Help

“Be not far from me, for trouble is near;

For there is none to help.”

B. (:12-13) Animal Attacks

1. Giant Bulls = Strength

“Many bulls have surrounded me;

Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.”

2. Roaring Lions = Viciousness

“They open wide their mouth at me,

As a ravening and a roaring lion.”

C. (:14-15) Gradual Loss of Strength and Life

1. Dehydration

“I am poured out like water”

2. Dislocation

“And all my bones are out of joint”

3. Broken and Completely Spent (image of broken piece of pottery)

a. Emotionally

“My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.”

b. Physically

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd,

And my tongue cleaves to my jaws.”

4. Reduced to the Dust of Death

“And Thou dost lay me in the dust of death”

realizes that it is ultimately God’s doing; Acts 2:23; 1 Cor. 5:21;

It wasn’t the cross that killed Christ; Why was the Lord already dead when they broke

the legs of the other two?

A man could live for 30 hours on the cross; they eventually would have their lungs collapse; Christ died voluntarily:

"into your hands, God, I commend my spirit "

D. (:16-18) Final Humiliation and Indignities

1. Bloodthirsty Beasts.“For dogs have surrounded me;

A band of evildoers has encompassed me”

2. Prophetic Piercing

“They pierced my hands and my feet.” (John 19:34-37)

3. Skeleton Spectacle

“I can count all my bones.

They look, they stare at me”

4. Trophy Takers

“They divide my garments among them,

And for my clothing they cast lots.”

V. (:19-21) THE PLEA FOR HELP IS URGENT