“Jesus Willingly Lays Down His Life”

Text:       Matthew 27:45-46; Luke 23:34; John 19:30

Thesis:     There is power in the blood of Jesus.

I.  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what

they are doing.”  Luke 23:34

A.      Jesus taught forgiveness throughout His life.

B.      Jesus demonstrated forgiveness on the cross.

1.      To the thief on the cross Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:43

C.     Jesus commands us to forgive others.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

II.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama

sabachthani?” ~ which means, “My God, my God, why have you

forsaken me?”  Matthew 27:46

A.      Jesus experienced the separation from God the Father for the very first time.

1.      “It is suggested that at that moment the weight of the world’s sin fell upon the heart of Jesus…and that the penalty…was the inevitable separation from God which sin brings”  William Barclay

2.      Another explanation may be Jesus being 100% human as well as 100% God.  “In human experience, as life goes on and as bitter tragedy enters into it, there comes a time when we feel God has forgotten us.”  William Barclay

B.      God may pull away a short distance from our lives for a brief time to test us.  However, God promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5

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III.  Jesus said, “It is finished.”  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his

          spirit.  John 19:30

A.      Jesus had completed the assignment God gave him to do here on earth.

1.      Jesus broke Satan’s grasp on the world.

2.      Jesus’ shed blood provided for the forgiveness of sin.

B.      God has given every Christian an assignment to complete here on earth.