Today, we gathered to remember that every moment with God is as significant as the greatest moments in history—because today is the only day we have. The crucifixion of Jesus is not just a historical event to be rushed past on our way to the resurrection; it is a moment of profound transformation, not only for those who witnessed it but for all of us who live in its wake. Within the three hours after Jesus’ death, God unleashed a series of miracles that upended every expectation, showing that what looked like defeat was actually the beginning of victory.

We explored how the gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—each tell the story of the crucifixion to different audiences, but all highlight the same truth: the power of God is revealed most clearly in the chaos and apparent defeat of the cross. The centurion, a hardened Roman soldier who oversaw Jesus’ execution, became the first to declare, “Surely he was the Son of God,” not because of Jesus’ miracles or teachings, but because of the way he died. This confession, coming from the very man who participated in Christ’s death, is perhaps the greatest miracle of all. It shows that God’s grace reaches even those who seem farthest away, and that transformation can happen in an instant—before the sun goes down.

The tearing of the temple curtain, the earthquake, the opening of tombs—these miracles signaled that God was in complete control, even when the world seemed most out of control. The crucifixion was not the end, but the beginning of everything. In our own lives, when chaos and suffering threaten to overwhelm us, we can find confidence knowing that God’s plan is never thwarted. The cross is the place where God meets us in our pain, confusion, and questions, and it is there that we discover his power and wisdom are greater than anything the world can offer.

The challenge is clear: before the sun goes down, recognize that Christ is greater than the chaos, and that you, too, can be part of the miraculous work God is doing. Like the centurion, may we have the courage to see, confess, and be changed by the crucified Son of God.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Power Is Revealed in Chaos
When life feels most out of control, God is still sovereign. The crucifixion looked like Rome’s victory, but it was actually the execution of God’s eternal plan. Even in the darkest moments, God is working out his purposes, and nothing happens outside his will or allowance. This truth invites us to trust him deeply, especially when we cannot see the outcome. [54:36]

- The Courage to Ask “Why”
Jesus himself cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” showing us that faith is not the absence of questions, but the willingness to bring our confusion to God. Honest lament is not a sign of weak faith, but of real relationship. When we ask God “why,” we are acknowledging his presence and our dependence on him, even when answers are slow in coming. [49:12]

- The Cross Is the Beginning, Not the End
The miracles that followed Jesus’ last breath—the tearing of the curtain, the earthquake, the opening of tombs—demonstrate that the crucifixion was not a defeat, but the start of God’s new creation. What looks like the end to us is often the moment God begins his greatest work. Our suffering and loss can become the soil for resurrection life if we trust God’s timing and power. [57:55]

- Transformation Can Happen Instantly
The centurion, who moments before was complicit in Jesus’ death, became the first to confess his divinity. God’s grace can break through in an instant, even in the hearts of those who seem most hardened or unlikely. We are never too far gone for God’s transforming power, and sometimes the greatest miracles are the changes God works in human hearts. [01:05:31]

- The Cross Is Our Anchor in Suffering
When we face suffering, injustice, or confusion, the cross is where we find God’s wisdom and power. It is the place where God says, “I know what it is to suffer, to lose, to be misunderstood.” The cross assures us that God is not distant from our pain, but has entered into it, and through it, brings hope and new life. [01:16:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:05] - Baptisms: New Life in Christ
[12:52] - The Urgency After the Crucifixion
[39:22] - The NFL Draft and the World’s Expectations
[42:15] - Choosing Jesus: The World’s Perspective
[43:48] - The Centurion: From Executioner to Confessor
[44:37] - Confidence in Chaos: God’s Plan Unfolds
[46:42] - Darkness Over the Land: The Miracle at Noon
[49:12] - Jesus’ Cry of “Why?” and the Power of Lament
[53:46] - God’s Control in the Crucifixion
[55:53] - The Curtain Torn: Access to God
[57:55] - The Crucifixion: The Beginning of Everything
[01:01:24] - The Centurion’s Confession: Surely the Son of God
[01:07:00] - The First to Enter: A Gentile’s Revelation
[01:13:03] - God’s Plan Includes Our Suffering
[01:16:40] - The Cross: Wisdom and Power in Suffering
[01:18:30] - The Miraculous in Our Lives
[01:20:46] - Responding to the Cross: Confession and Change
[01:21:47] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Before the Sun Goes Down: The Power of the Cross in Chaos”**

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### Bible Reading

**Matthew 27:45-54 (NIV)**
> 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
> 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
> 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
> 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
> 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
> 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
> 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split
> 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
> 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
> 54 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!”

**Psalm 22:1**
> My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

**1 Corinthians 1:18-25**
> 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
> ... (read as much as your group has time for)

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### Observation Questions

1. What miraculous events happened immediately after Jesus died, according to Matthew 27:51-53?
2. What was the centurion’s reaction to witnessing Jesus’ death and the events that followed? (Matthew 27:54)
3. What words did Jesus cry out from the cross, and where do those words originally come from? (Matthew 27:46, Psalm 22:1)
4. According to the sermon, who was the first person to declare Jesus as the Son of God after the crucifixion, and why is this significant? [[01:05:31]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s power is revealed most clearly in the chaos and apparent defeat of the cross. Why do you think God chose to show his power in this way, rather than through obvious victory? [[54:36]]
2. Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The pastor said this shows that faith is not the absence of questions. What does this teach us about how God views our honest doubts and struggles? [[49:12]]
3. The centurion’s confession (“Surely he was the Son of God”) came not from seeing miracles or hearing teachings, but from seeing how Jesus died. What does this suggest about the impact of suffering and sacrifice on those who witness it? [[01:05:31]]
4. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolized a new way to access God. What does this mean for people who feel far from God or unworthy to approach him? [[55:53]]

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to recognize that “Christ is greater than the chaos” before the sun goes down. Is there a specific area of your life right now that feels chaotic or out of control? What would it look like to trust God’s plan in that area today, not just someday? [[01:17:45]]
2. The centurion was changed instantly by what he saw at the cross. Have you ever experienced a moment where God changed your perspective or heart in an instant? What happened, and how did it affect you? [[01:05:31]]
3. Jesus was honest with God about his pain and confusion. Is there something you need to bring to God in honest prayer—even if it’s a “why” question? What’s holding you back from doing that? [[49:12]]
4. The cross is described as the place where God meets us in our pain. When you face suffering or loss, do you tend to run toward God or away from him? What could help you turn to God more quickly in those moments? [[01:16:40]]
5. The curtain tearing means anyone can come to God at any time. Is there a barrier (guilt, shame, doubt, past mistakes) that makes you feel like you can’t approach God? What would it look like to step through that “torn curtain” this week? [[55:53]]
6. The sermon said that sometimes the greatest miracle is a changed heart, even in people who seem farthest from God. Is there someone in your life you’ve given up hope for? How might this story encourage you to pray for or reach out to them? [[01:07:00]]
7. The pastor said, “Before the sun goes down, you can be part of the miraculous work God is doing.” What is one step you can take today to respond to what God is showing you through the cross? [[01:18:30]]

---

**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite group members to pray honestly about their chaos, doubts, or pain, and to ask God for the courage to trust him and confess Christ as greater than the chaos—before the sun goes down.

Day 1: Sovereignty Revealed Amidst Life’s Turmoil
When life feels chaotic and out of control, it can be tempting to believe that God is distant or powerless. Yet, the crucifixion reveals a profound truth: even in moments that seem like defeat, God’s eternal plan is unfolding perfectly. The events following Jesus’ death—the tearing of the temple curtain, the earthquake, and the opening of tombs—demonstrate that God remains sovereign over all circumstances. Nothing happens outside His will or allowance, inviting us to trust Him deeply, especially when the outcome is unclear or painful. This assurance anchors us in hope, reminding us that God’s power is most clearly displayed in the midst of chaos. [54:36]

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life right now do you feel overwhelmed by chaos or uncertainty? How can you intentionally remind yourself today that God’s sovereign plan is at work even there?


Day 2: Embracing Honest Lament as Faith’s Expression
Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” shows that faith is not the absence of questions or pain but the courage to bring those struggles honestly before God. Lament is a vital part of a real relationship with God—it acknowledges our confusion and dependence on Him even when answers are slow to come. This teaches us that wrestling with “why” is not a sign of weak faith but a pathway to deeper trust. When you bring your doubts and sorrows to God, you open space for His presence to meet you in your pain and guide you through it. [49:12]

“Why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 88:14)

Reflection: What is one painful or confusing question you have been afraid to bring before God? Can you take a moment today to honestly voice that question to Him in prayer?


Day 3: The Cross as the Dawn of New Creation
The crucifixion is often misunderstood as an end, but the miracles that followed Jesus’ death reveal it as the beginning of God’s new creation. The tearing of the temple curtain, the earthquake, and the opening of tombs symbolize that what looks like loss and defeat is actually the soil from which resurrection life springs. This truth invites us to trust God’s timing and power in our own suffering and loss, knowing that He can transform even the darkest moments into new beginnings. The cross is not a final destination but the starting point of God’s greatest work in the world and in our lives. [57:55]

“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent or ongoing loss or hardship. How might God be inviting you to see this as the beginning of something new rather than the end? What small step of trust can you take today?


Day 4: Instant Transformation Through God’s Grace
The centurion’s confession, “Surely he was the Son of God,” moments after overseeing Jesus’ death, reveals that God’s grace can break through instantly—even in the hardest hearts. No one is beyond the reach of God’s transforming power, and sometimes the greatest miracles happen in a single moment of recognition and surrender. This challenges us to remain open to God’s work in ourselves and others, trusting that change can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. It also encourages us to pray for those who seem far from God, believing that He can touch their hearts at any time. [01:05:31]

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you have written off as unreachable by God’s grace? How can you pray for them today, believing that transformation can happen in an instant?


Day 5: The Cross as Our Refuge in Suffering
Suffering, injustice, and confusion are realities we all face, but the cross stands as a powerful reminder that God is not distant from our pain. Jesus entered into suffering fully and understands loss and misunderstanding intimately. The cross is where God’s wisdom and power meet us in our darkest moments, offering hope and new life. It assures us that our pain is not meaningless and that God’s presence is near, working through suffering to bring about healing and restoration. This truth invites us to lean into the cross as our anchor when life feels overwhelming. [01:16:40]

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3)

Reflection: When you face suffering or injustice today, how can you practically remind yourself that Jesus understands and walks with you? What is one way you can lean into the cross as your source of strength right now?

``We can find confidence in the chaos. We really can. Because the plan of God is in the hands of God. That no matter how chaotic or upside down or thwarted it might seem, for all eyes to see up till his last breath, it looked as though Rome won. [00:45:05] (16 seconds) Edit Clip


And what God, I believe, was doing was darkening the entire world because Christ was now experiencing all the darkness of sin, that there truly was in those three hours no source of light. And the only source of light and hope we have was being snuffed out. He was becoming sin that we might become the righteousness of God. About three in the afternoon, you see where he dies, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani, okay? Which means, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It comes directly from the 22nd Psalm, and there's a couple reasons, I believe, while Christ is quoting it. Certainly, because he comes out of three hours of being totally separated from heaven and earth. He's literally hanging, if you will, between the two. [00:47:37] (49 seconds) Edit Clip


And in this life, what we have to be able to embrace. Now, he doesn't immediately get an answer. Obviously, eventually with the resurrection, we know the why. We know the story. But in the depth of his humanity, this is the sinless son of God who is as confused in that moment by the circumstances he's facing as many of us would be at moments in our life, as the Jews were in theirs. [00:49:59] (26 seconds) Edit Clip


And when you have the courage to ask God why, that's one of the greatest, in my opinion, greatest evidences that you have faith in him, that you would enter into a conversation with him in your worst moments. [00:50:28] (15 seconds) Edit Clip


That in this situation, though it seemed completely out of control, he gave up his spirit. They didn't take it from him. Okay? He gave it up. They didn't take it. It doesn't say, and in that moment, Rome realized they had taken his life. It doesn't say, in that moment, the Jews, the chief priest, and all them realized they had taken his life. Not in any of the gospel accounts does it say they took his life. It's that he gave up his life. [00:52:33] (31 seconds) Edit Clip


It ended when Christ decided it was going to end. He took his last breath when he decided he was going to take his last breath. No one took that moment from him. And that even in the most chaotic situation ever on the face of the earth, he's still in complete control. In fact, I hope you know this, that this, what they are seeing, they think is the execution, okay, of the sinless son of God. True. But it's ultimately the execution of the eternal plan of God. [00:53:13] (34 seconds) Edit Clip


You need to know that nothing comes into your life unless God allows it or ordains it. And some of what you face will be ordained. It will be. And God will want that to happen for your good and his greater glory. But while you're in it, all you can see is the pain and the problems. And God's like, you just hang in there because I'm in control at this moment. It's not the world. It's not your boss. It's not your health. It's me. [00:55:18] (28 seconds) Edit Clip


For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. [01:14:29] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Good morning, and welcome to Crossland Community Church. As Tyler said, we are a community of refuge and hope for all people. We're so thankful that you're here. And at the first service this morning, we did a few baptisms as well.

And what I told everybody that was here at the earlier service, I want to tell you as well, is that we realized last weekend was Easter Sunday. And Easter Sunday is no doubt a powerful moment in the life of the church. It was a powerful moment when that moment happened. But I think it's imperative that we understand as followers of Jesus Christ that those moments are no more powerful than this moment. That this is the single most important Sunday in human history because it's the only Sunday we have. God, the Bible says, is the God of today. The Bible says, if you hear his voice, as long as it's today, don't neglect it.

And so, did God know eternally that Christ was going to die? Absolutely. Did he know that Christ was going to raise himself from the dead? Absolutely. Did he know this beautiful young lady was going to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior? Absolutely. And this moment means as much to the heart of God as the day his son died and raised himself from the dead because that's the very reason he did those things.

So, why don't you tell everybody who you are? I love you. I could have picked that up and made it a little bit easier for you, couldn't I?

Let me ask you two very important questions. Are you absolutely convinced that you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Yes. And are you convinced that he's accepted you? Yes. What a beautiful, absolute, wonderful opportunity it is. There you go.

To baptize you as my sister. In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we are buried together with Christ through baptism and raised to walk in the newness of life. Way to go, beautiful. Thank you, Reese. I'll never forget you letting me do this. God bless you. And I'll step right over here.

Come on down, buddy. How are you, man? Step right up. Step right up on there. It's awesome. Come on in, Mom. What a beautiful opportunity for you to be baptized by your mom. I'm going to step out of the way in a second. She's going to come over here, and you're going to grab onto that arm, and she's going to grab onto your heart. And your mom, who brought you into this world, is actually going to be blessed to lead you into the next one, okay?

Tell everybody your name. I think I'll try that. And are you absolutely convinced that you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Yes. And are you convinced that he's accepted you? Yes. Mom, come on over here. Take my place. Now, son, reach up and grab her arm. Okay? What an honor it is to be here with the two of you as you baptize your son.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are buried together with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in the name of the God. Way to go. God bless you.

Why don't you go ahead and stand to your feet as we continue to worship our God. We'll be right back. We'll be right back.

It's hard to get your head around the fact that within three hours after the death of Jesus Christ, some of the most miraculous, mind-blowing things happened. It was before the sun went down. You know, the incredible things happened, and I understand how we—especially as the church—race past crucifixion right to resurrection because, you know, who wants to hang around a bloody cross for long? But it's amazing when you slow down and realize so much happened in a three-hour window before the sun went down. Christ would have expired at 3 p.m. You'll see it in the text today when he breathed his last. And that time of year, in that part of the world, the sun will go down approximately 6 p.m.

So we know there was only about three hours, give or take, left before the sun went down. And you'll see over the next couple of weeks, there was a lot of urgency once he breathed his last. There are such compelling things that happen in these moments, and it's all things that happen to people—characters, for the most part—except for the last week. You would never have suspected, and I would say maybe even in a million years, that these would be the people that were so impacted immediately—that there was a high level of urgency as soon as Christ died.

And truly, the miracle of the resurrection is truly phenomenal—the greatest miracle, if you will, ever. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, we have no hope without it. But it's not the only miracle. And some of these powerful, life-changing moments—all three of the synoptic gospel authors, Matthew, Mark, and Luke—contain these same stories. They have slight differences, which we'll look at a little today because they're talking to different audiences: Matthew speaking to persecuted Jews, Mark speaking to a mostly unfamiliar Roman culture, and Luke writing to the Greeks, who believe that all of life is answered by wisdom—that the wise man and their gods are the most righteous beings ever, and deity was based upon righteousness.

They're speaking to different audiences, and they tell such compelling stories that happen. And truly, three hours before the sun went down, the authors, as usual, don't give us this information just for historical details—although they matter here because most people don't realize these stories exist in the text. Understandably, you want to go from crucifixion to resurrection as fast as possible. But these moments are compelling—they're a motivation for transformative living. You begin to see how fast your life can be different. Over the next five weeks, you'll see how fast you can be different, live different—that you don't need, that sounds crazy, they didn't even need three days. They certainly didn't need three weeks or three months. These guys are living different before Pentecost.

And I think there's something there that the gospel writers wanted us to know: that there is transformative power in the crucifixion. Paul, I'll read it today in a moment, in 1 Corinthians 1:18 and following, says that we preach Christ crucified—that there is something so significant in that crucifixion. And that's what we're going to look at in the next five weeks: the transformative power for people who were literally standing right there at the cross, and their lives were changed before the sun ever went down.

Okay? That's where we're going to go. I hope you get a chance. You may not even be a football fan, but there is now a phenomenon—the NFL draft. It's just become this global experience. They've been to Philadelphia, Nashville, and now in Green Bay. And you know, Green Bay's not that big a town, and they still had 275,000 people show up for a draft. And if you look at the shots from afar, some of these people didn't see anything. I'd have just stayed home and watched it on TV. It's just amazing. But it's on in almost every nation that has ESPN, and they've seen the draft. It's become this unbelievable global event. The NFL markets itself better than anyone.

And what's so funny when you think about this process? We're literally watching millions of people watch the destiny of these 22-year-old men. Their entire lives are exposed to the watching audience. Everything they've ever done on a field has been nitpicked and pulled apart. Could you imagine living that way? But at the end of the day, what you really have are these massive billion-dollar franchises staking their future hopes on 22-year-old men. That's unbelievable.

And the truth is, if you're involved in the NFL, a lot of players just don't pan out. First-round quarterbacks are probably the greatest failure—because quarterbacks drive the game, I get it. In the last 10 seasons, eight coaches have been fired the year after they chose a quarterback in the first round. It might be 18, I can't remember, but it's a lot. Like Mr. Callahan with the Titans—guess what? He's now on the clock. If that young man doesn't produce, he's gone. That's what happens in this huge NFL season.

Can you imagine what would happen if, say, Cam Ward, the first OTA—official team activities this spring—suffers a devastating injury that ends his career forever? Imagine that. After that, the Titans decide to take Warren Moon, a retired number, and let Cam wear his jersey, presenting it to him the next day. Can you imagine if the Titans then go into their stadium, pull down Warren Moon's jersey, and put up Cam Ward with number one? Never played a game. And he's now the GOAT of all time? We've had great quarterbacks—McNabb, Warren Moon—in the history of the Titans/Houston Oilers. Nobody would ever do that. We'd all feel sorry, but nobody's going to name the guy who never gets a chance the GOAT.

Now, think about casting your vote for Jesus Christ while he was on earth. Nobody wanted to draft him. Nobody. A few did, and what they learned? It was a complete bust. The guy never accomplished what they thought he would. There was a lot of film study—reading the Old Testament, knowing what he was supposed to do, where he was coming from, where he was going back. He came from heaven university. You come from that school—whoo, you're it. And now, a complete waste of a draft pick. Yet today, we say he's the greatest of all time.

Within three hours before the sun went down, some of the people who would never have chosen him started choosing him. They didn't see how great he was until he experienced the worst moment of his human life. What on earth is going on here? Just take the NFL as a comparison. You would never say a first-round pick who never played a game was the greatest ever. And yet, many proclaim that about Christ. That's how upside down and powerfully transformative the crucifixion truly is in the gospel.

And what we're going to see today, predominantly, is one man—the centurion. This is the guy who truly did not want to draft Jesus. He decided, "I'm going to eliminate Jesus." He was over 100 soldiers—hence the name centurion. They were a hit squad assigned to crucify Christ. And what happens in the three hours after his last breath is truly mind-blowing. It says so much to all three audiences—and to us as well.

Here's the big idea for today: We can find confidence in the chaos. Because the plan of God is in the hands of God. No matter how chaotic or upside down it seems, for all eyes to see, up till his last breath, it looked as though Rome won. But what's crazy is, when Christ gave over his spirit, God began to dominate the world. It didn't take long—an instantaneous movement of God that profoundly impacted lives you wouldn't have expected.

Today, we'll mainly look at Matthew's gospel, with a verse from Mark and Luke. Matthew writes to a Jewish Christian audience, probably before or just after the destruction of the temple, persecuted by Roman authorities. They were wondering if Jesus really was who he said he was. They had cast their hope on him, but it seemed they were losing. Not only did the Romans hate him, but their fellow Jews excommunicated him for accepting Christ.

Matthew says, "From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the land." That's where we get this. From 9 a.m. to noon, Christ was speaking and interacting—talking to the thief on the cross, his mother, John. Then, at noon, the entire world turns dark. Certainly a profound and powerful miracle. And you can research this—one writer proved beyond all reasonable doubt that this was not an eclipse. It wasn't an astronomical anomaly. It was a miracle of God.

God was darkening the entire world because Christ was experiencing all the darkness of sin—that in those three hours, there was no source of light. The only light and hope we have was being snuffed out. He was becoming sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. Around 3 p.m., Jesus cried out loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani," which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It comes from Psalm 22.

There are a couple of reasons Christ quotes it. Certainly, because he’s coming out of three hours of total separation from heaven and earth. He's hanging between the two—no longer connected to earth, not yet returned to heaven—and he's becoming the sin offering for all human sin. When he says this, he's confused. And all of us have faced situations in life that defy explanation. His first response—"My God, my God, why?"—is something many of us have also asked.

Some say you can't ask God why. I often respond, "Where do you find that in the Bible?" Because I see the sinless Son of God, after three hours of darkness, asking, "Why?" That shows us that even Jesus, in his humanity, expressed confusion and pain. It proves that asking God why in our darkest moments is an act of faith—because it shows we believe he's there, listening, and that we can be hurt.

He doesn't get an immediate answer, but we know the story—resurrection comes, and we understand the why. But in that moment, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, is as confused as many of us would be. Why are we still being persecuted? Why are we still being killed? Why are we excommunicated? Exactly.

Having the courage to ask God why is, in my opinion, a sign of faith. It proves you believe he's there, listening, and that you can be hurt. You've never cried out to a unicorn or Martian in your agony, have you? Because you know they don't exist. But you cry out to God. And in these moments, even Christ feels forsaken.

Here's my homework for you: Read Psalm 22 this week. The first half is about agony and defeat, but it turns in the middle to victory and power. That's part of why Christ chose it. It looks like utter defeat, but it's actually ultimate victory.

So, Christ on the cross, when some standing there heard him say this, they thought he was calling Elijah. Immediately, one of them ran, got a sponge, filled it with wine vinegar, and offered it to Jesus. The others said, "Leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." This is based on the Jewish belief that Elijah would come before the Messiah. Jesus acknowledged that truth, but he said John the Baptist was that for him.

They hear him cry "Eli, Eli," and think he's calling Elijah, but he's not. They're mocking him. When Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Remember last week: Jesus said, "No one takes my life from me." He gave it up willingly. They didn't take it; he surrendered it. And in that chaotic moment, God was in complete control. It ended when Jesus decided it was going to end. He took his last breath when he chose to. No one took that from him.

Even in the most chaotic moment in human history, God was in control. It was part of God's eternal plan. Revelation 13:8 says, "The Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world." This was not a surprise; it was God's plan for salvation.

Matthew's audience knew this, but it hadn't fully penetrated their consciousness. When they read it, they thought, "If that was true for him, then it's true for me." Whatever chaos or suffering we face, God's plan is in control. Nothing happened that day without God's permission.

And you and I can learn this: nothing comes into your life unless God allows or ordains it. Some of it is for your good and his glory. But while you're in it, all you see is pain and problems. God's saying, "Hang in there—I am in control." It's not your boss, your health, or the world. It's me.

And at that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. As soon as Rome thought they had succeeded, God was done with them. The events that followed were miraculous. The earth shook, rocks split, and the tombs opened.

Most think the crucifixion is the end, but the writers tell us it was the beginning. God unleashed power that Rome could not stop. They used all their might, but it was futile. If they wanted to stop Christ, they should have left him alone. Pilate's wife warned him in a dream, "Release him," but he refused. He washed his hands, claiming to wash away responsibility. But some things can't be washed off.

Rome, at its best, was no match for God. So, what do we do with that? We apply this principle: the agonies of life, at their worst, are no match for our God. When you think it's over, it's actually just the beginning. Death is a doorway for believers, not an end. The same applies to the crucifixion.

You can take this principle into your life: nothing happens by accident. God is in control. And as they learned that day, before the sun went down, the power of God was revealed. The curtain was torn, the earth shook, and the dead were raised.

The greatest miracle? Not just the earthquake or the torn curtain, but the Roman centurion's declaration. When he saw how Jesus died—not how he lived, not his miracles, not his teachings—he was impacted. He said, "Surely, this man was the Son of God."

Surely, without a doubt, he believed. Mark's gospel emphasizes this: the Roman soldier declared Jesus was the Son of God. Luke's gospel, writing to Greeks who valued wisdom and righteousness, shows the centurion praising God and declaring Jesus' divine nature.

Who praises God after witnessing such horror? Someone overwhelmed by transformation. Someone who was changed before the sun went down. Surely, this was a righteous man—no, a man who recognized true deity.

He didn't even know he was saying that in bodily form, but he was. A powerful confession.

You can find confidence in the chaos because God's plan revealed everything we need to know. Not everything, but enough to believe and be saved. Just like the centurion.

With Matthew, we see God's overarching plan fulfilled. Mark shows us God's power through miracles, especially the centurion's declaration. Luke teaches us the lessons of true wisdom—that God is God—and we have the opportunity to live with urgency and courage.

Nobody can promise a life free of suffering. But we have evidence that God's in control and that he includes suffering in his plan for our good and his glory. The same God who unleashed power when Jesus died will do the same for you.

He will unleash that power in ways that may shock you. You might start declaring truths about God you've never spoken before. Maybe you'll realize that life without crucifixion and pain isn't real. True wisdom includes suffering.

1 Corinthians 1:18 says, "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." It also says, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise."

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher? Where is the philosopher? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Jews demand signs; Greeks seek wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified—a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power and wisdom of God.

This means that, humanly speaking, the most ridiculous event in history—God crucifying his own Son—actually crushes the power of sin and reveals God's wisdom. It offers enlightenment and revelation to those who killed him. They are the first to grasp what’s happening.

It may seem foolish, but God has done more through death than through Christ’s life. That’s why we have hope in crucifying circumstances. When we take people to the cross, we point them to a place where God understands suffering.

In the darkest moments, he can say, "I know what it's like to suffer deeply. I know what it's like to lose a child. I know what it's like for the world to think it has more power than I do." The world may see you as a fool for trusting in a homeless, uneducated Jewish carpenter, but the cross proves that God is wiser and more powerful than the world.

It’s often the crucifixion—more than the resurrection—that gets us through life’s hardest moments. It enables us to say, not next week, not next month, but before the sun goes down. Today, at 10:43 a.m., you have more than enough time to be re-centered. Look at the crucifixion, the miracles, the declarations, and remember: the God who opened the eyes and hearts of those who killed Jesus can do the same for you.

So, here's our challenge: before the sun goes down, never forget that Christ is greater than the chaos. Rome thought they won—they had actually lost. Never forget—you can be part of the miraculous. One day, you’ll say something that shocks you. You’ll wake up and realize that what Paul said—that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love him—is actually true.

You may wake up and say, "The adversity I faced has actually advanced the gospel." Romans 5 tells us suffering produces perseverance, which develops character, which produces hope. And hope will not be put to shame. That’s the truth.

In the face of adversity, you will be part of the miraculous. And if you're not yet saved, it took the centurion minutes. What are you waiting for? Yes, his blood’s on your hands too. You are part of the conspiracy to crucify Christ because of your sin.

God decided that the only way to remove that stain was through Jesus’ sacrifice. You must confess with your mouth: "Surely, he is the Son of God." Before the sun goes down, you will be made righteous. The good news is, this righteous man makes everyone who follows him equally righteous.

Surely, that man was the Son of God. Let's pray together.

Father, we love you and thank you. Including myself, I humbly admit that sometimes we enjoy the stories but don’t fully grasp the purpose and principle. Now, that story will mean so much more to me every time I see it or think of it. We identify with the centurion—who are we? We’re the ones who put him on that cross. But we can be changed—miraculously, immediately. That’s not the wisdom of the world; it’s the foolishness you use to confound the wise. I pray we’d be foolish enough to believe it’s true. We love you and thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. And all God's people said, amen.

Let's give God a hand clap of praise today.

Alright, you lovely, wonderful people—go enjoy this day. May the God of heaven richly bless each and every one of you. You are dismissed.