BIG PICTURE: The cross is the ironic icon of Christianity. For many its message is absurd, while others simply choose to ignore it. For those who embrace its truth, it is an unfolding display of the beauty of God’s powerful grace and love.

TEXT: Matthew 27:27-56

KEY VERSE: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”– Matthew 27:46

THE CROSS

Rejected by some. Marginalized and

by many.

To those who embrace it, the cross is

.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. —1 Corinthians 1:18

THE CROWD

The soldiers – understandable. The criminals –

. The people – heartbreaking.

Do you see

in the crowd?

It wasn’t Jesus on trial, it was

.

THE CRY

Jesus knows what it is like to be

.

His grace may be free, but it isn’t

.

Even when not understanding, he

.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest. —Psalm 22:1-2

Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. —Psalm 22:16-18

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations. —Psalm 22:27-28

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! —Psalm 22:30-31

SABBATICAL UPDATE