Different_part_83.docx

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross: Where Justice Meets Mercy

The cross stands as the ultimate intersection of divine justice and mercy. It is here that the seemingly insurmountable problem of how a just God can also be merciful is resolved. Jesus, through His sacrifice, pays the penalty for sin, satisfying the demands of divine justice. At the same time, this act of love offers forgiveness and salvation to all who believe, showcasing God's boundless mercy. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a profound testament to God's plan to reconcile humanity to Himself, where justice and mercy are perfectly balanced.

Romans 3:25-26 (ESV): "God put forward [Jesus] as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you struggle to balance justice and mercy. How can you apply the example of the cross to find a resolution?

Day 2: Darkness as a Symbol of Divine Justice

The supernatural darkness that covered the land during Jesus' crucifixion is a powerful symbol of God's justice and judgment. This darkness was not merely a natural phenomenon but a divine message that the cross was a courtroom where God's justice against sin was executed. It serves as a reminder that God alone is the righteous judge, and His justice is perfect and unyielding. The darkness underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a Savior to bear its penalty.

Amos 8:9 (ESV): "And on that day, declares the Lord God, I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of God's justice in your life. How did it lead you to a deeper understanding of your need for a Savior?

Day 3: The Forsaken Cry and God's Holiness

Jesus' cry of being forsaken on the cross highlights the holiness of God. This moment signifies the temporary separation between the Father and the Son as Jesus bore the sin of humanity. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate sin in His presence. This cry is a profound reminder of the cost of sin and the depth of God's love in providing a way for reconciliation through Jesus.

Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV): "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?"

Reflection: In what ways does understanding God's holiness change your perspective on sin and your relationship with Him?

Day 4: Sovereignty in the Declaration of Completion

Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," reveals God's sovereignty over the events of the crucifixion. Despite the chaos and suffering, Jesus remained in control, choosing the moment to yield His spirit. This act demonstrates that the cross was not a defeat but the completion of God's redemptive plan. It affirms His sovereign authority over life and death, reminding us that nothing happens outside of His divine will and purpose.

John 10:18 (ESV): "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

Reflection: Think about a situation where you feel out of control. How can you trust in God's sovereignty and find peace in His plan?

Day 5: Grace and the Torn Curtain

The tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Through Jesus' sacrifice, access to God's presence is granted by grace, not by human merit. This act of grace invites us to approach God boldly, knowing that the separation caused by sin has been destroyed. It is a powerful reminder that we are welcomed into a relationship with God, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has accomplished.

Hebrews 10:19-20 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh."

Reflection: How does the knowledge of God's grace and the removal of barriers change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship today?

Sermon Summary

:**

The sermon explores the profound significance of the cross, where Jesus was crucified, as the ultimate solution to the dilemma of God's justice and mercy. It emphasizes that the cross is where God's justice against sin and His mercy for sinners meet, offering forgiveness and salvation to all who believe. The sermon highlights the attributes of God displayed at the cross: His justice, holiness, sovereignty, grace, and omnipotence. Through the darkness that covered the land, the cry of Jesus, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the resurrection of saints, the sermon illustrates how the cross is a testament to God's divine plan and power. The message concludes by inviting listeners to see God at the cross and recognize Jesus as the Son of God and Savior.

Key Takeaways

1. The Cross as the Intersection of Justice and Mercy: The cross is the unique place where God's justice and mercy converge. It addresses the unsolvable problem of how a just God can also be merciful. At the cross, Jesus pays the penalty for sin, satisfying divine justice, while simultaneously offering forgiveness and salvation, showcasing God's boundless mercy.
2. God's Justice in Darkness: The supernatural darkness that enveloped the land during Jesus' crucifixion symbolizes God's justice and judgment. This darkness is a divine message that the cross is not merely a human judgment but a divine courtroom where God's justice against sin is executed. It reminds us that God alone is the righteous judge.
3. Holiness and the Forsaken Cry: Jesus' cry of being forsaken on the cross highlights God's holiness. It signifies the temporary separation of fellowship between the Father and the Son as Jesus bears the sin of humanity. This moment underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate sin in His presence.
4. Sovereignty in the Declaration of Completion: Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," reveals God's sovereignty. Despite the chaos of the crucifixion, Jesus remains in control, choosing the moment to yield His spirit. This act demonstrates that the cross was not a defeat but the completion of God's redemptive plan, affirming His sovereign authority over life and death.
5. Grace and the Torn Curtain: The tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Through Jesus' sacrifice, access to God's presence is granted by grace, not by human merit. This act of grace invites us to approach God boldly, knowing that the separation caused by sin has been destroyed.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**

Matthew 27:32-54
John 19:30
Luke 23:46

---

**Observation Questions:**

What events occurred during the crucifixion that demonstrated God's justice, as described in Matthew 27:45-46?
How does the tearing of the temple curtain in Matthew 27:51 symbolize God's grace?
What was the significance of Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," in John 19:30?
How did the centurion and those with him react to the events surrounding Jesus' death, according to Matthew 27:54?

---

**Interpretation Questions:**

How does the darkness that covered the land during the crucifixion reflect God's judgment and justice?
In what ways does Jesus' cry of being forsaken highlight the holiness of God?
What does Jesus' statement, "It is finished," reveal about God's sovereignty and the completion of His redemptive plan?
How does the tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom illustrate the removal of barriers between God and humanity?

---

**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the understanding of God's justice and mercy at the cross help you in those moments?
The cross is where God's justice and mercy meet. How can this understanding influence the way you approach forgiveness in your own life?
Jesus' cry of being forsaken underscores the seriousness of sin. How does this perspective affect your view of sin in your daily life?
Considering God's sovereignty displayed at the cross, how can you trust in His control over the chaotic or uncertain areas of your life?
The tearing of the temple curtain signifies access to God through grace. How can you boldly approach God in prayer this week, knowing that the barrier of sin has been removed?
The centurion recognized Jesus as the Son of God after witnessing the events at the cross. How can you share the significance of the cross with someone who may not yet see Jesus as the Savior?
Reflect on the omnipotence of God displayed through the resurrection of saints. How does this power give you hope in your own life, especially in challenging times?

Sermon Quotes

"The cross is the only place where God’s justice against sin and mercy for sinners meet. His justice is fully satisfied because the penalty for sin is paid in full by Jesus."

"At the cross, both the wickedness of man and the glory of God are fully displayed, converging in a single place at a single moment that changes everything forever!"

"The death of Jesus on the cross is the most profound intersection of the wickedness of man and the glorious realities of what God Himself is like."

"This is not Jesus being judged by men. This is men being judged by God. Wicked men are making their judgments but it is God and God alone who is the just and righteous judge."

"At the cross, God’s holiness is on display when the Father’s face is distanced. Jesus is being punished by His Father at the cross. And He is being punished for our sin."

"He didn’t say, 'I am finished.' Jesus wasn’t finished. This isn’t the end of Jesus but it is the end of the redeeming work of being the perfect sacrifice for our sin."

"With the tearing of that curtain from top to bottom, God is saying, 'By my grace you may now come into my presence. The barrier that kept us apart is now gone.'"

"God’s omnipotent power was on display at the cross. He shook the earth, opened tombs and said to those saints, 'Now just wait for it. When I raise Jesus on Sunday, I’ll raise you up with Him.'"

"What do you see when you see the cross? Do you see only evil and wickedness and madness and chaos? Or do you see who God is on display?"

"Have you come to a place where you can look to the cross and without a doubt say, 'Truly Jesus was and is the Son of God and He is my Savior and He is my Lord.'"

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Give me some sermon illustration ideas

Create a fill-in-the-blank worksheet

Sermon structure and transition feedback

Sermon application ideas