God's Unfailing Love: The Power of the Cross
Summary
Summary
Throughout history, humanity’s deepest fear has been abandonment—being left alone in the darkness, especially by God. Jesus, fully human, experienced this fear on the cross, crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Many have wondered if, in that moment, God truly turned His back on His Son because of the weight of our sin. But the story of God, woven through thousands of years and marked by a trail of blood, tells a different story—a story of relentless faithfulness and love.
Blood, in the biblical narrative, is not about gore but about life. From the earliest days, God used blood as a signpost, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice. The journey begins with Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah, where God provided a ram as a substitute, foreshadowing the day He would provide the true Lamb. The Passover in Egypt, with blood painted on doorways, was another marker—God Himself paying the price to free His people from bondage. The temple sacrifices, repeated for centuries, all pointed to a need that no animal could ever fully satisfy.
As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, staring at the temple, He knew the trail of blood led to Him. He was not a helpless, innocent lamb, but the ram of God—strong, determined, and willing to step into the thorns for us. At the ninth hour, the very time of the daily temple sacrifice, Jesus cried out from the cross, not in defeat, but quoting Psalm 22, inviting us to see that God had not abandoned Him—or us.
The cross is the culmination of this trail. It is where God’s faithfulness is proven in blood, where our fears of abandonment are answered once and for all. No matter how far we run, how deep our doubts, or how persistent our sin, God’s love is stronger. He is the Good Shepherd who never leaves His sheep, the One who pursues us even when we wander. The cross stands as the final word: God will never leave us, never forsake us. Our sins, though scarlet, are made white as snow. This is why we call it Good Friday.
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Key Takeaways
- God’s Faithfulness Precedes Our Failures
Long before we ever doubted, sinned, or questioned God, He had already set in motion a plan to prove His faithfulness. The trail of blood through history—from Abraham to the Passover to the temple—shows that God’s commitment to us is not reactive but proactive. He does not wait for us to get it right; He moves first, providing the sacrifice and paying the price before we even show up in the story. [11:41]
- The Sacrifice Was Never About Our Worthiness
The repeated sacrifices in the temple, numbering in the hundreds of millions, were never enough to truly deal with sin. They pointed to the reality that no human effort or offering could bridge the gap between us and God. Only the perfect, willing sacrifice of Jesus—the ram of God—could do what all those offerings could not: fully and finally reconcile us to God. [29:02]
- Jesus’ Strength in Sacrifice
Contrary to the image of a weak, helpless lamb, Jesus chose to be the ram—strong, resolute, and unstoppable. He was not overpowered by the cross; He willingly stepped into suffering, placing His head in the thorns for us. This strength is what makes His sacrifice so profound: the all-powerful Creator chose to lay down His life, not out of weakness, but out of love. [31:18]
- God’s Presence in Our Darkness
When Jesus cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” He was not expressing defeat, but inviting us to follow His words to their source in Scripture. Psalm 22 and Psalm 23 reveal that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us. Our darkest moments, our deepest doubts, and our most persistent sins cannot drive Him away; He is the Good Shepherd who never abandons His sheep. [37:26]
- The Cross Is the End of Our Fear of Abandonment
The trail of blood ends at the cross, where Jesus’ sacrifice makes us clean and secures God’s presence with us forever. No sin—past, present, or future—can separate us from His love. The cross is the proof that God will never leave us, and our fears of being too broken or too far gone are silenced by the blood that makes us white as snow. [56:05]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:46] - Wrestling with Abandonment: Jesus’ Cry on the Cross
[10:09] - God’s Faithfulness, Not Our Effort
[11:41] - The Trail of Blood: God’s Story Through History
[14:04] - Gethsemane: The View from the Mount of Olives
[15:34] - The Temple and the Trail of Sacrifice
[17:07] - Abraham and Isaac: God Provides the Sacrifice
[19:01] - The Ram in the Thicket: Substitution and Provision
[22:36] - Passover: Blood That Sets Us Free
[24:27] - The Final Passover Lamb
[26:12] - The Temple Sacrifices and the Cost of Sin
[29:02] - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices
[30:42] - The True Lamb: Jesus as the Ram of God
[31:18] - Jesus Steps onto the Trail of Blood
[33:04] - The Trial, Mockery, and Crucifixion
[37:26] - God’s Presence in Our Darkness
[39:03] - The Unbreakable Love of God
[40:33] - Naming Our Fears and Sins
[42:48] - Still Broken, Still Loved
[43:30] - Responding to the Cross
[56:05] - The Cross Makes Us White as Snow
[01:04:10] - Jesus’ Burial and the Hope to Come
[01:05:49] - To Be Continued…
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Trail of Blood and God’s Relentless Faithfulness
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 27:45-46
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
- Genesis 22:1-14
(The story of Abraham and Isaac, where God provides a ram as a substitute sacrifice.)
- Psalm 22:1, 24
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?... For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”
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### Observation Questions
1. When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” what was happening around him, and what time of day was it? (Matthew 27:45-46)
[[08:46]]
2. In the story of Abraham and Isaac, what did God provide as a substitute for Isaac, and how did Abraham respond? (Genesis 22:13-14)
[[19:41]]
3. According to Psalm 22, does God ultimately turn away from the suffering one? What does verse 24 say about God’s response?
[[33:04]]
4. The sermon describes a “trail of blood” throughout the Bible. What are some of the key moments or events in this trail mentioned in the sermon?
[[11:41]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon suggests that Jesus’ cry from the cross was not a cry of defeat, but an invitation to look deeper into Scripture. How does understanding Psalm 22 change the way we interpret Jesus’ words on the cross?
[[33:04]]
2. The repeated sacrifices in the temple were never enough to fully deal with sin. What does this say about the nature of our own efforts to “make things right” with God?
[[29:02]]
3. The sermon describes Jesus not as a weak, helpless lamb, but as the “ram of God”—strong and willing. How does this image affect the way we see Jesus’ sacrifice?
[[31:18]]
4. The “trail of blood” is described as God’s proactive plan to prove His faithfulness. How does this challenge the idea that God only responds to us after we make the first move?
[[11:41]]
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### Application Questions
1. The fear of abandonment is described as one of humanity’s deepest fears. Have you ever felt abandoned by God, especially in a dark or difficult season? What was that like, and how does the message of the cross speak to that fear?
[[08:46]]
2. The sermon invites us to name the sins or struggles that make us wonder if God might finally give up on us. Is there something in your life—past or present—that makes you feel unworthy of God’s love? How does the cross address that specific fear?
[[40:33]]
3. Jesus willingly stepped into suffering, not out of weakness but out of love and strength. Is there an area in your life where you need to choose courage and love, even if it means sacrifice? What would it look like to follow Jesus’ example this week?
[[31:18]]
4. The sermon says, “God’s faithfulness precedes our failures.” How does this truth affect the way you approach God after you’ve messed up or doubted?
[[11:41]]
5. The cross is described as the end of our fear of abandonment. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s presence when you feel alone or unworthy?
[[37:26]]
6. The “trail of blood” shows that God always provides and pays the price for our freedom. Is there a place in your life where you’re still trying to “earn” God’s acceptance? How can you let go of that and trust in what Jesus has already done?
[[22:36]]
7. The group was invited to write down and “nail” their fears or sins to the cross as a symbol of letting go. Is there something you need to symbolically “nail to the cross” this week? What would it look like to leave it there and walk in freedom?
[[43:30]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for His relentless faithfulness and love, proven through the cross. Ask for courage to trust His presence in every season, and for the strength to let go of fears and sins that keep us from Him.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Faithfulness Initiates Before Our First Doubt
God’s faithfulness is not a response to our actions but a deliberate, proactive commitment that precedes our failures and doubts. Long before we ever questioned or turned away, God had already woven a plan of redemption through history, marked by a trail of blood that points to His unwavering love. This faithfulness is seen in the way God provided a ram for Abraham instead of Isaac, the Passover lamb in Egypt, and the temple sacrifices—all signs that God was moving first to restore the broken relationship with humanity. You are invited to rest in the truth that God’s love is not contingent on your performance but is steadfast and initiating. [11:41]
“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” (Isaiah 49:16 ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can remind yourself today that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on your actions but is a constant foundation you can rely on?
Day 2: Sacrifice Beyond Human Effort and Worthiness
The countless sacrifices offered in the temple throughout history were never sufficient to fully atone for sin. They served as a constant reminder that no human effort, no matter how sincere or repeated, could bridge the gap between a holy God and fallen humanity. Only the perfect, willing sacrifice of Jesus—the true Ram of God—could accomplish what all those offerings could not: complete reconciliation. This truth frees you from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor and invites you to embrace the grace that covers all shortcomings. Your worthiness is not the basis of God’s love; His sacrifice is. [29:02]
“For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4 ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you trying to earn God’s approval, and how can you begin to rest in the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice instead?
Day 3: Jesus’ Strength Revealed in Willing Sacrifice
Jesus did not come to the cross as a helpless victim but as a strong, resolute ram who willingly embraced suffering for your sake. His strength is not in avoiding pain but in choosing love over power, stepping into the thorns with determination. This challenges the common image of Jesus as weak and invites you to see His sacrifice as an act of unstoppable love and courage. When you face trials, remember that the Creator who laid down His life did so with strength and purpose, empowering you to endure and trust in His love. [31:18]
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7 ESV)
Reflection: How can you draw on Jesus’ strength and resolve when you face your own challenges or moments of suffering today?
Day 4: God’s Presence in Our Deepest Darkness
When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was not declaring defeat but pointing us to the deeper truth found in Scripture: even in the darkest valleys, God is present. Psalm 22 and Psalm 23 reveal that God’s shepherding presence never abandons His people, no matter how deep the shadows or how loud the doubts. This assurance invites you to bring your fears, questions, and sins into God’s light, trusting that He walks with you through every shadowed place. You are never alone, even when it feels like God is silent. [37:26]
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 ESV)
Reflection: What is one fear or doubt you can bring honestly before God today, trusting that He is with you even in that darkness?
Day 5: The Cross Ends Our Fear of Abandonment Forever
The trail of blood that runs through history culminates at the cross, where Jesus’ sacrifice cleanses us completely and secures God’s unbreakable presence with us forever. No sin, no failure, no distance can separate you from His love. The cross is the final answer to the fear of being too broken or too far gone. It is the place where scarlet sins are made white as snow, and where God’s promise to never leave or forsake you is sealed in blood. This is why Good Friday is truly good—it is the day fear dies and hope is born. [56:05]
“Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in.” (Psalm 27:10 ESV)
Reflection: What fear of abandonment or unworthiness can you surrender to Jesus today, embracing the cleansing power of the cross and His promise to never leave you?
Quotes
``those words have resonated for generations for a reason it's because they run headfirst that our deepest fear the one where we end up alone in the dark all of us have it Jesus did he was fully human when he was here on earth he experienced all of our fears all of our emotions and yet oddly enough it looks like at the end of his life as he's on the cross our deepest fear is coming true he's in the dark and he's alone not not the dark like twilight or dusk or candlelight like total suffocating darkness and from the darkness he shouted Matthew writes this now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour and about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying Eli Eli lama sabachthani which means my God my God why have you forsaken me says God where have you gone have you left me alone where where are you if if you've ever felt like God has left you [00:06:16] (78 seconds)
I don't know if you know this, but before you were born, before you ever took a step, before you ever doubted God, before you ever sinned, before you ever questioned Him, before you ever wondered if He would ever abandon you, He proved that He would never do the same. He would never leave you. Ever. The proof is painted in red. [00:10:33] (22 seconds)
So when we get there, we'll get there. But until then, it's not really about us. It's about God. We don't show up. But if there's one thing to take away, if you wanted to write down one note, one takeaway for the entire night, it's that when we don't show up, God does. [00:11:56] (17 seconds)
Sometimes you can read the Bible, and it reads like an episode of Dexter. There's just blood splattered everywhere, and all these people die, and all these animals get slaughtered. This is bloody mess. Why blood? Is it because God's into gore? No. No, it's not. It's because blood is the symbol for life. That's why. And so God uses blood as almost like a trail marker that always, throughout history, points to him hanging on a cross, dying to save us. It's the only way to have eternal life. The only way. Now, the night before the cross, the night before he was on this hill, Jesus actually climbed up another one with a really interesting view. The hill was called the Mount of Olives, and at its base was a garden. It was the Garden of Gethsemane. Earlier in the night, Jesus had shared a meal with his disciples. And at the meal, he had taken a cup full of wine, and he'd hold it up to them, and he said, This is not wine. It's my blood shed for you. The disciples all looked at him like, What are you talking about? A cup of blood? That's really odd. And then even stranger, he invited him to go to this garden, the Garden of Gethsemane. And in the garden, he sits down, and he starts praying, and he asks God to take away the bloody cup. Strange. [00:12:17] (87 seconds)
He knew as he sweated drops like blood, as he asked for the bloody cup to be taken from him. As he sat there on the hill staring at the temple, he knew what was coming, that he would be the last ever sacrifice in this place if he stepped under the trail himself. [00:16:19] (20 seconds)
And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, the Lord will provide. As it is said to this day on the mount of the Lord, it shall be provided. [00:20:26] (16 seconds)
not to demand a price from you to get you out of your bonds, but I'll pay the price. See, as the trail of blood goes on, God says, not only will I provide the sacrifice, but I'll pay the price to get you out of bondage. [00:24:12] (14 seconds)
But Jesus, as he sits there staring at the hill, knowing the number precisely knew something important. Whether it was a hundred million or two hundred million, it didn't matter because it wasn't enough. It never would be. A billion, a hundred billion, didn't matter. There was only one lamb who could ever fully pay the cost of sin, and it was him. [00:29:37] (25 seconds)
Unstoppable and strong and determined, which is the only way He was able to do what He did next. He stood up, He finished His prayer, and He stepped onto the trail of blood. The name of names, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the one who created the heavens and the earth with just a word, stepped onto the trail and did what no one else had the strength to do, stick His head in the thorns for you. [00:31:24] (38 seconds)
after that they led him through the streets he was so weak from the whole brutality of it he was so just beaten down he couldn't even carry the cross they get another guy they walk over to a small hill called golgotha when they get there they laid him down on the wood the one with the power to get up see they thought he was weak they thought he was beaten but the ram of god allowed nails to be driven through his hands and through his feet for the very people who put them there he hung on that cross for three hours until at exactly the ninth hour of the the day he cried out my god my god why have you forsaken me and the trail of blood leads us back to this moment the one that we started with the one where god's shouting our own question into the dark when he hung on the tree so is god the kind of god who abandons his people if is he the kind of god who lacks the strength and the stomach for sinful people no see when jesus shouts into the darkness he's not shouting randomly he's quoting scripture psalm 22 1 says my god my god why have you forsaken me why are you so far from saving me so far from my cries of anguish see jesus is expressing our cry so that we would follow his word to the answer he said i hope the trail of blood is enough i hope you see how much i love you but in case it's not just keep reading because a few verses later it says this you who fear the lord praise him all you descendants of jacob honor him revere him all you descendants of israel for he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one he has not hidden his face from him but he has listened to his cry for help there's just one chapter after this is maybe the most famous psalm in the entire bible and it starts with the words the lord is my shepherd psalm 23 and in verse four it says even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death i will fear no evil for you are with me this is where you and i enter the story this is the moment where we show up because if you've ever felt like god has abandoned you god has an answer he says [00:34:33] (174 seconds)
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