The Triumph Series

Introduction

A. I borrowed portions of this sermon from Pastor Charles R Brown of Esther First Baptist Church, From his Series: Cross Sayings From The Christ

1. This one is titled “Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?”

a. Lets turn to Matthew 27:45 - 46

B. When you spend some time in the Word looking at the crucifixion, you should soon find yourself consumed with emotion

1. At first glance, the casual reader might think the crucifixion lasted about an hour or less

2. But the Gospel writers with great detail tell us that the entire episode took up a quarter of a day

Matthew 27:45-46 (NKJV)

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. {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. His hands and feet were nailed to wood at 9 in the morning

b. He uttered three statements and then darkness fell

(1) Lets start out by turning to Luke 23:34

3. Lets visit the three utterances Jesus made before the darkness

a. This is the first utterance from the cross

Luke 23:34 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

b. This is very precious, Jesus was hung on the cross because you and I needed a savior, and He willingly went and was crucified

(1) Just imagine, Jesus having endured everything described last week

(2) Being nailed to the cross, and looking down upon them

(a) The Roman soldiers

(b) The chief priests, possibly even the high priest

(c) The scribes and Pharisees

(d) The crowd of citizens

(e) And the rabble

(f) And Jesus utter these precious words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”

i) Lets turn to Romans 5:8

(3) I can’t help but think of this when other theologians say you can lose your salvation

(a) When was the sin that I committed yesterday forgiven?

(b) When was the sin that I committed ten minute ago forgiven?

(c) When will the sin that I will commit an hour from now be forgiven?

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(d) My sins were all forgiven 2,000 years ago on that cross when Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”

i) Is that a precious thought? It is for me

a) Now lets turn to Luke 23:39-43

4. This is about the repentant thief crucified next to the Lord

a. This is the second utterance from the cross

Luke 23:39-43 (NKJV)

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." {40} But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? {41} "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." {43} And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

b. Ryrie’s notes comment on the thief’s faith, “when You come into thy kingdom”

(1) Seeing Jesus dying on a cross but believing that He would come into His kingdom shows the amazing faith of the thief

(2) This is also evidence of the forgiveness of the Savior

(3) The thief was promised Paradise

(a) Now lets turn to John 19:25-27

5. This is about Christ’s love for His mother Mary

a. This is the third utterance from the cross

John 19:25-27 (NKJV)

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. {26} When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" {27} Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

b. This is something that some have taken to mean that Joseph, Mary’s husband, was dead

(1) As the first born son, Jesus responsibility was to care for His widowed mother

(2) Jesus said, to His mother, look now at your son, referring to the apostle John

(a) Just think, Jesus is saying in essence, “I love you, mom. I task my disciple John to take my place and care for you.”

(b) And to John, “John care for My mother as you would your own mom.”