Step 1 -
“I love You, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:1-2 NASB
“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God,”
Psalms 18:31 NASB
Our God is Rock! It is his title. It is his role.
Therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
Isaiah 28:16
A little under 2000 years ago…
And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you do not come into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” [ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground].
Luke 22:39-45
The rock struggles but wins.
His nature dictated the victory.
GOD IS THE ROCK!
God is the Rock!
Feel the Rock in your hand.
Pray to Him.
Thank Him for not giving up in the garden.
Thank Him for being your Rock.
This is the meaning of the Good Friday.
Step 2 -
“Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.”
Job 14:1-2 NASB
We are different from the Rock. We are flowers that wither and shadows who do not remain.
After Jesus had sweat blood wrestling his humanity into submission…
“and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Luke 22:46-48 NASB
Our fragile hearts struggle but lose.
We betray God.
Hold the rock in your hand.
We betray our Rock.
Our struggles are real. Our betrayal is often still daily.
When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Luke 22:49-51
Step 3 -
Jesus is arrested…
Trial 1
JESUS BEFORE ANNAS
Annas questions Jesus about his teaching
Jesus says that he has always spoken in public and his words are known by all
An official strikes Jesus in the face
Jesus asks if he said something wrong and then why has he been struck?
JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS AND THE SANHEDRIN
TESTIMONY DID NOT AGREE
They demand that Jesus defend himself.
JESUS IS SILENT
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
Finally someone had asked the right question.
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The high priest tore his clothes “BLASPHEMY!!!”
They beat him (BLINDFOLDED PROPHESY WHO HIT YOU!)and send Jesus to Pilate
JESUS BEFORE PILATE
The assembly accuses Jesus of subversion and anti Roman sentiment.
Jesus is silent.
Pilate asks Jesus “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
Pilate refuses to pass judgment and Jesus is sent to Herod
JESUS BEFORE HEROD
Herod is excited to see Jesus hoping that he would perform miracles for him as tricks.
Herod asks many questions.
Jesus is again silent.
Herod mockingly dresses Jesus in a elegant robe
JESUS BEFORE PILATE
Pilate asks him for a second time “Are you king of the Jews?”
Jesus breaks his silence. “It is as you say.”
Pilate asks him whether he is going to defend himself against these accusations….
Jesus makes no reply.
Pilate is amazed. Why won’t he defend himself???
JESUS BEFORE THE CROWD
It was customary to release a prisoner…
THEY CHANT “CRUCIFY HIM!!!”
Placing the robe on him they twist a crown out of thorns and push it into his head. The soldiers then mock him, beat him, strike him, spit on him
After six trials Jesus will be taken to the cross
John 10:18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father.”
He is your Rock!
Step 4 -
And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. [ But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” ] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, watching. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The soldiers also ridiculed Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “ If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” Now there was also an inscription above Him, “ THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the entire land until the ninth hour, because the sun stopped shining; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” And having said this, He died. Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “This man was in fact innocent.” And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, after watching what had happened, began to return home, beating their chests. And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.
Luke 23:33-49 NASB
Salvation is about making the choice of the thief on the cross for the first time.
Jesus remember me when you come into Your Kingdom!
Jesus remember me!
If you have never accepted Christ into your heart. This is how you begin.
Salvation is about making the choice of the thief on the cross every single day.
Jesus remember me!
Forgive me Jesus when I let things get in the way.
The wake of the death on the earth
DARKNESS
VEIL
EARTH SHOOK ROCKS SPLIT
TOMBS OF SEEMINGLY RANDOM PEOPLE BURST OPEN
There are powerful forces now available to us:
EXPIATION/Atonement - Sin is removed
PROPITIATION - Wrath is removed
RECONCILIATION - The distance between God and man is removed
And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God— this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. It was a preparation day, and a Sabbath was about to begin. Now the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was laid. And then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Luke 23:50-56
We must let Jesus bury our past
We must let Jesus bury our worries
We must let Jesus bury our struggles
Communion
His body is broken for freedom.
His blood was shed for freedom.
So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
John 8:36