Part 4, The Word On The Cross
"Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani!"
Hebrews 2:18; Mathew 27:24-28; 45-46; Isaiah 53:5
Luis Cruz, GCF Durham
The scene is still on the cross. Jesus’ last words and sacrifice brought the whole Christian world to reflect. As we go through this lent season, I want you to think of Jesus as the Man of Great Suffering. Jesus is the incarnate Word, fully God and fully human. In His human form, he is able to suffer. And in His suffering, God opened the door to His forgiveness to people like you and me, sinners, who would humbly accept the facts of Christ’s suffering and believe it was enough to completely pay for our sins. No matter how big or small you think your sins were, the suffering of Christ was even greater. We will see the suffering of Jesus for our sake.
1. Christ’s suffered from Satan’s constant temptations.
“18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:22-23
2. Christ suffered in the hands of wicked men.
“25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” Matthew 27:25 – 26
Christ suffered in the hands of wicked people He came to save.
Two occasions of punching and spitting. The 1st was for claiming He was a prophet, the 2nd, for claiming to be the King of His people.
Flagellation was a prelude to the crucifixion.
“30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on.” Matthew 27:30-31
3. Christ suffered from the wrath of God for our sin.
“46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Matthew 27:46
God’s wrath, “The emotion or passion that moves God to this maintaining and defending is expressed by the terms "displeasure, " "indignation, " "anger, " and "wrath." A consequence of his wrath is vengeance, punishment, and death.”'” Wrath of God, Biblestudytools.com
It is to be feared. Matthew 25:46
It is just. Romans 5:8
It is God’s displeasure and anger over sin. Romans 6:23
“Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” is not a question asking for answer. Jesus knew He will be abandoned by His Father.
Rather, it is a cry of desolation, of deep agony, and great pain.
4. Christ suffered as one who was cursed on the cross.
“13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” Galatians 3:13.
Jesus became sin as He carried our sins on the cross.
He was abandoned by His Father on the cross to carry the penalty of our sins.
5. Christ’s suffering satisfied God’s wrath and brought us peace with God.
“the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
The punishment of Christ brought us peace with God.
Believers have escaped eternal punishment through Christ’s suffering, death, burial and resurrection.
Friends, I challenge you to carefully think through the following:
Jesus’ story on the cross is worth sharing with others.
God’s wrath is both coming and escapable.
Believing in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection; and asking for God’s forgiveness are enough to bring peace between us and God.