Experiencing the Depth of Christ's Sacrifice on Good Friday
Summary
On this Good Friday, we gather to deeply experience the cross of Jesus, inviting each of our senses to engage with the profound sacrifice He made for us. Good Friday stands in stark contrast to the joy of Easter, as it is a time to reflect on the weight of the cross and the immense love that Jesus demonstrated. At 9 a.m., Jesus was nailed to the cross, and by 3 p.m., He had died. During those hours, the world was enveloped in darkness, symbolizing the death of the Light of the World. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, shedding His blood and giving His life in our place. This service is an invitation to experience the cross through our senses, to understand the depth of His love and sacrifice.
As we read from Matthew 27, we are reminded of the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. We are invited to see the injustice and love in action, to hear the cries and forgiveness from the cross, to smell the sacrifice, to feel the weight of the cross, and to taste the grace offered through communion. Jesus' seven last words from the cross echo through time, reminding us of His forgiveness, promise of paradise, care for His mother, and His ultimate trust in God. These words challenge us to listen to His voice above all others.
The cross is not just a historical event but a transformative experience. It calls us to reflect on our own lives, to examine our hearts, and to respond to Jesus' invitation to follow Him. As we partake in communion, we remember that Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath so that we might taste His grace. This Good Friday, let us not only remember but be changed by the cross, allowing it to touch every part of our being—body, soul, and spirit.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Weight of the Cross: Good Friday invites us to reflect on the profound sacrifice of Jesus, who became sin for us and died in our place. This reflection is not just about remembering but experiencing the depth of His love and the weight of the cross. [39:05]
2. The Seven Sayings of Jesus: Jesus' words from the cross offer deep insights into His character and mission. His forgiveness, promise of paradise, care for His mother, and ultimate trust in God challenge us to listen to His voice and follow His example. [46:26]
3. The Fragrance of Sacrifice: The cross is a fragrant offering to God, and we are called to carry the fragrance of Christ in our lives. In a world filled with the stench of sin, our lives should reflect the presence and love of Jesus. [49:32]
4. The Touch of Love: The cross is a place where we feel the love of God, demonstrated through Jesus' willingness to endure suffering for our sake. This love should move us deeply and inspire us to live as living sacrifices, offering our lives to God. [52:43]
5. The Taste of Grace: Through communion, we taste the grace of God, remembering that Jesus drank the cup of wrath so we might experience His forgiveness and love. This sacrament invites us to examine our hearts and respond to His invitation to follow Him. [55:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to Good Friday
- [02:10] - The Significance of the Cross
- [05:30] - Reading from Matthew 27
- [10:00] - Experiencing the Cross with Our Senses
- [15:20] - The Injustice and Love of Jesus
- [20:00] - The Seven Sayings of Jesus
- [25:00] - The Fragrance of Sacrifice
- [30:00] - The Touch of Love
- [35:00] - The Taste of Grace
- [40:00] - Invitation to Communion
- [45:00] - Prayer and Reflection
- [50:00] - Closing Remarks and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Experiencing the Cross of Jesus
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 27:32-54
- Ephesians 5:2
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
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Observation Questions:
1. What events in Matthew 27:32-54 highlight the injustice and suffering Jesus endured on the cross? How do these events reflect the weight of the cross? [39:05]
2. In Ephesians 5:2, Paul describes Christ's sacrifice as a "fragrant offering." How does this imagery help us understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice? [49:32]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what are the elements of communion meant to symbolize, and how do they connect to the events of Good Friday? [55:25]
4. What are the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross, and what do they reveal about His character and mission? [46:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the darkness that covered the land during Jesus' crucifixion symbolize the spiritual significance of His death? [39:05]
2. In what ways do the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross challenge believers to listen to His voice and follow His example? [46:26]
3. How does the concept of the cross as a "fragrant offering" in Ephesians 5:2 relate to the idea of believers carrying the fragrance of Christ in their lives? [49:32]
4. What does it mean to "taste the grace" of God through communion, and how does this practice invite believers to examine their hearts? [52:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the weight of the cross and Jesus' sacrifice. How can you make this reflection a transformative experience in your daily life? [39:05]
2. Jesus' words from the cross offer deep insights into His character. Which of His sayings resonates most with you, and how can it influence your actions this week? [46:26]
3. The sermon invites us to carry the fragrance of Christ in a world filled with sin. What specific actions can you take to reflect the presence and love of Jesus in your community? [49:32]
4. Consider the love of God demonstrated through Jesus' suffering. How can this love inspire you to live as a living sacrifice, offering your life to God? [52:43]
5. Communion is a time to taste the grace of God. How can you prepare your heart for this sacrament, and what steps can you take to respond to Jesus' invitation to follow Him? [55:25]
6. The sermon emphasizes experiencing the cross with all our senses. How can you incorporate this sensory engagement into your spiritual practices to deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? [49:32]
7. Reflect on the question, "Have you been changed by the cross?" What changes do you feel called to make in your life as a result of this reflection? [55:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing the Weight of the Cross
The cross of Jesus is not merely a symbol of suffering but a profound testament to the depth of His love and sacrifice. On Good Friday, we are invited to reflect on the weight of the cross, understanding that Jesus, who was without sin, took on the sins of the world and died in our place. This reflection is not just about remembering a historical event but about experiencing the depth of His love and the immense sacrifice He made for humanity. As we engage with the cross through our senses, we are called to feel the weight of His sacrifice and let it transform our hearts and lives. [39:05]
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to fully embrace the weight of Jesus' sacrifice? How can you allow this understanding to transform your actions and attitudes today?
Day 2: Listening to the Seven Sayings of Jesus
The seven sayings of Jesus from the cross offer profound insights into His character and mission. Each word spoken by Jesus during His crucifixion reveals His heart of forgiveness, His promise of paradise, His care for His mother, and His ultimate trust in God. These words challenge us to listen to His voice above all others and to follow His example of love, sacrifice, and trust. As we meditate on these sayings, we are invited to let them echo in our hearts and guide our lives. [46:26]
"And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments." (Luke 23:34, ESV)
Reflection: Which of Jesus' seven sayings from the cross resonates most with you today? How can you apply this saying to a specific situation or relationship in your life?
Day 3: Carrying the Fragrance of Sacrifice
The cross is described as a fragrant offering to God, and as followers of Christ, we are called to carry the fragrance of His sacrifice in our lives. In a world filled with the stench of sin, our lives should reflect the presence and love of Jesus, spreading His fragrance wherever we go. This means living in a way that honors His sacrifice, demonstrating His love and grace to those around us. As we reflect on the cross, we are challenged to examine how our lives can be a pleasing aroma to God. [49:32]
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you carry the fragrance of Christ's sacrifice into your daily interactions? Identify one specific action you can take today to reflect His love and grace.
Day 4: Feeling the Touch of Love
The cross is a place where we feel the love of God, demonstrated through Jesus' willingness to endure suffering for our sake. This love is not passive but active, calling us to respond by living as living sacrifices, offering our lives to God. As we reflect on the touch of love demonstrated on the cross, we are invited to let it move us deeply and inspire us to live in a way that honors His sacrifice. [52:43]
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you allow the love of Christ to touch and transform your heart today? What is one way you can offer your life as a living sacrifice to God?
Day 5: Tasting the Grace of Communion
Through communion, we taste the grace of God, remembering that Jesus drank the cup of wrath so we might experience His forgiveness and love. This sacrament invites us to examine our hearts and respond to His invitation to follow Him. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the grace that is freely given to us and the call to live in response to that grace. [55:25]
"And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:27-28, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare to partake in communion, what is one area of your life where you need to fully embrace God's grace? How can you respond to His invitation to follow Him more closely today?
Quotes
He who knew no sin became sin for us. He shed his blood. He died in our place. The Bible says life is in the blood. His blood was poured out. His life was gone. He died. If you ever wonder, why was Jesus buried? It's because he died. And I want you to understand the significance of that. If you've ever been around a loved one, when they are transitioning from earth to eternity, the one thing that I think stands out the most is silence. You're listening to them breathe, in many cases struggling for the next breath. Sometimes we call it a death rattle. And then all of a sudden, there's silence. It is so loud. [00:37:16] (56 seconds)
And Good Friday is a time to reflect on the weight of the cross. It's also an invitation. He invites us to experience the cross, to experience what he did for us. And we've been preaching and teaching that in light of the five senses. God gave us five senses with which to enjoy life, but also to understand it. And that's what I want you to do at this Good Friday service, to understand the cross of Jesus even better. I want to read from Matthew 27. And I've chosen to read the majority of this text, Matthew's account of the cross. [00:38:22] (43 seconds)
Imagine standing in the crowd. Jesus has been led through the streets, the Via Dolorosa. He's been beaten. He's bloody. You can see his back torn by the whip. His body is somewhat mutilated, bruised. Blood is gushing out. His face marred by the thorns. You see a man who once walked on water, stumbling underneath the weight of the wooden cross. What do you see? You see the injustice. He was an innocent man. He knew no sin. He had done nothing wrong. You see love in action. No one takes my life from me. He said, I willingly lay it down. [00:44:39] (45 seconds)
You see darkness covering the land. Man, why? Because the world is mourning the death of its creator. Look closely. See, this is not just a man who is suffering. It's the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Look closely, and through human eyes, you would see defeat. But with spiritual eyes, we see victory. What do you see? Number two, what do you hear? What do you hear? It says, about three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The sounds of the cross on that Good Friday are overwhelming. [00:45:33] (45 seconds)
We call it the seven sayings of the cross. He said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Let me tell you, we can forgive one another because Jesus has forgiven us. He said, today you'll be with me in paradise. You don't have to worry about when you die. Are you just going to be in some state of soul sleep? The Bible didn't talk about soul sleep. There's no such thing as purgatory. Today, everybody say today. Listen, to be absent from the body, if you know Jesus, is to be present with the Lord. Today, today, immediately. [00:46:29] (37 seconds)
He cried out, woman, behold your son, son, behold your mother. He was speaking to John, the only disciple who was there. All the others had fled. And I want you to know that as he honors his mother, even in his dying moments, if he took care of Mary, he's going to take care of you. He said, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? You understand Jesus was forsaken so he could say to us, I'll never leave you and I'll never forsake you. His sin. He had no sin, but our sin was laid on him. [00:47:56] (40 seconds)
He understands humanity, what it's like to live here on this earth? Because he took a body of flesh just like us to identify with us. And then he said, it is finished. There ought to be a good amen right there. That means you don't have to do anything in order to be saved. It's not D -O. It's D -O -N -E. It's done. It's finished. Everything that would ever have to be done in order for you and I to be forgiven and to spend eternity with God was done at the cross. And then he said, into your hands, I commit my spirit. It was a statement of trust. [00:48:42] (41 seconds)
What do you smell? Now just imagine for a moment the smell of that place, Golgotha, the dust, the sweat from the journey of the Via Della Rosa, the scent of blood, the stale breath of suffering and sorrow, the bitterness of vinegar and gall. These are the smells of sacrifice, the fragrance of obedience. Paul put it like this in Ephesians 5, 2. Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [00:50:51] (38 seconds)
You know, in a world that's full of the stench of sin, we ought to be carrying the fragrance of Christ. Do others sense the presence of Christ, the fragrance of Christ in your life? John 19 also tells us about another smell. They came bringing a mixture of what? Myrrh and aloes. Gold, frankincense, it's in myrrh. They brought the magi at his birth. He was the child born to die. And you see it again here, about 75 pounds in weight. [00:52:15] (36 seconds)
At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, surely he was the son of God. Many women were there watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them, Mary Magdalene. [00:42:53] (48 seconds)
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