From Triumphant To Tragedy Series

Scripture References

(Jn 19:16-30, Mtt 27:27-54, Mk 15:16-39, Lk 23:33-48)

Series Introduction

Continue our Easter series called Footprints.

We are following- footprints of Jesus as He journeyed to Jerusalem and the cross.

He left footprints in the sands of time- footprints that-

tell us- what kind of man Jesus was and the type of life that He lived,

also tell us what kind men we should be and the type of lives we should be living.

Challenge- what type of prints are we leaving behind?

foot prints, face prints, or butt prints?

As we walk in obedience to God, we leave clear footprints for others to see and even follow.

There are times we will stumble/fall- leave our face print in the sand, but Jesus is ready to pick us up.

At other times, as we struggle against the purposes of God, we leave butt prints as He drags us along.

Our Journey Continues

We started journey-Jesus entering- Upper Room.

He washed their feet/they ate- Passover meal together.

Last week- Jesus journeyed to- Garden of Gethsmane.

We saw- careless of men towards- purposes of God as the disciples slept while Jesus agonized in prayer.

Traditionally- today is known as Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday- Christians celebrate Jesus entry into Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion/death.

Crowds greeted Jesus enthusiastically as they waved palm branches and welcomed Him as their King.

However, it was not long before the crowds lost their excitement about Jesus and turned against Him.

Last week- left Jesus in- Garden of Gethsemane just as the Judas/soldiers approached to arrest Him.

Stands in stark contrast to- reception Jesus received a week earlier as- welcomed Him w/palm branches.

They looked at Jesus as a King- throw off Roman rule

Soon learned- Jesus was there for a different reason.

Instead of coming to rule Israel as a King, He came to rule the hearts of men.

Jews- willing to receive Him as- political ruler but not as one who wanted to change them from-inside out

Even today, as Christians, we struggle w/same issue.

We are excited about Jesus blessing us outwardly with health, jobs, financial provision.

However, we struggle when He wants to change …

the way we think or act,

the affections of our heart,

our attitudes or the thoughts of our mind.

Bless me God, but do not mess with my personal life.

Golgotha and the Cross

>>Lk 23:33-37

Picture- as they are nailing Him to the cross, He is praying over and over again- Father forgive them.

They did not fully understand what they were doing, but they had /knowingly/willingly rejected Jesus.

Even though they did not fully understand …

Ignorance does not equal innocence.

There are areas where we have ignored/rejected- God.

We may not realize- full consequences of our actions, however, that does not make us innocent.

We will stand accountable before God for our actions.

What can we learn from Jesus prayer …

1. Pray for those who hurt you

Lk 6:27-28

27 "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. NASU

My prayer for others may or may not change them, but it always changes me.

2. Forgive those who hurt you

Col 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. NLT

Jesus takes forgiveness even further …

Mtt 6:14-15

14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

3. Pray for others because Jesus is praying for you

Rom 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one- for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. NLT

As Jesus prays for us, should we not pray for others?

>>Mtt 27:45-46

He cried out …

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

Have you ever wrestled w/the WHY question?

Is it my fault,

is this an attack of the enemy, or

is it the will of God.

1 Cor 13:9, 12

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Nothing wrong w/asking why, but it must not be allowed to become a roadblock in our walk w/God.

Forsaken- deserted, abandoned

Noon- 3pm- supernatural darkness fell over the land.

During this time the Father turned His back on Him.