Sermon Central
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The Agonizing Cry Of Jesus Series
Contributed by Fred Sigle on May 17, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: This is a study of the gospel of Mark regarding the life of Jesus. It is based on my personal study and research of Scripture and many books and sermons I have read over the years. (PREACHED DURING COVID LOCK DOWN)
COMMENT:
Do you see the parallel between Christ our PASSOVER LAMB and the PASSOVER LAMB during Moses’ time? The LAMB was SUBSTITUDED for the LIVES of the FIRST-BORN SONS. The LAMB dies so that others could LIVE!
ILLUSTRATION:
I want you to PICTURE in your mind the morning after the ANGEL passed over Egypt. Can you hear the CRIES, the SCREAMS, the WAILING from WIVES and PARENTS and CHILDREN who WAKE UP to find the FIRST-BORN SONS in their families, DEAD?
Not a single Egyptian home was spared. But it didn’t have to be that way. Nine times Pharaoh was given an opportunity to let God’s people GO, but he REFUSED because of the HARDNESS of his heart. And, he, too, LOST his FIRST-BORN SON.
But while NO Egyptian home escaped DEATH, every Hebrew home was SPARED because they listened to God and SUBSTITUTED a LAMB for their SONS.
3. That’s what God has done. He SUBSTITUTED His Son for US—for YOU and ME.
B. The cry of Jesus is a “cry of SUBSTITUTION,” because if He didn’t make that cry, we would have.
1. We would be crying, “God, why have you forsaken me?”
COMMENT:
We are the ones who God should have FORSAKEN, not Jesus. We are the ones deserving to DIE. It’s what we EARNED because of our SIN. Instead, God sacrificed the LAMB, shedding His blood on the tree. And we are “covered by that PRECIOUS BLOOD when we are baptized into His DEATH”- Romans 6:3-7.
Even as the Israelites had to COVER their doorposts with the BLOOD of a LAMB in order to be SPARED from DEATH, so must we be COVERED by the BLOOD of the LAMB of God
through BAPTISM to be SPARED from ETERNAL DEATH.
2. Jesus is our SUBSTITUTION.
a. We are as DESERVING of DEATH as was Barabbas.
ILLUSTRATION:
Undoubtedly Barabbas was scheduled to DIE that day. Have you ever wondered why Pilate chose Barabbas above any other CRIMINAL for the Jews to choose between him and Christ?
I believe that Pilate was looking for the most VILE PRISONER he had in CUSTODY thinking that the Jews would surely choose to put him to death and let Jesus go FREE. Instead Jesus was SUBSTITUTED even for the most WICKED of people.
That’s the way it is with Christ. Even the most EVIL person who ever lived can be set free from death if he or she ACCEPTS Christ as Lord and Savior.
b. We are the GUILTY ones who should have HUNG on that CROSS!!
ILLUSTRATION:
Yet, Jesus with PARCHED lips and a BROKEN heart cries, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken Me?” He knew it was going to happen. I’m sure He read Psalm 22 about the horrible ordeal He would experience. But He went through it anyway so that you and I would never have to!
III. A CRY OF SUBSTANTIATION (CONFIRMATION)
A. If you ever want to know how God feels about you, think about what He allowed His Son to go
through for you.
1. Most of us have had to GIVE UP someone we love dearly.
ILLUSTRATION:
I read this week of an Indianapolis couple who had been MARRIED for 51 years, who died only 6-minutes apart from the COVID-19 VIRUS. Their SON and GRANDCHILDREN were not allowed to be with them when they PASSED.
The son commented, “Just two weeks ago they were both healthy and active, and now they are gone.” He had to GIVE them UP! He can’t even hold a traditional FUNERAL for his parents.
