Learning Jesus | Week 43
Into the Father’s Hands
Lesson 43 >> Key Word – innocent forsaken >> Central Passages – all texts (only 20 verses total ;)
This week you are encouraged to read all the texts for each day and do all the questions to prepare for group for at least days 1-2.
Day 1 – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Read John 19:25-27.
Background Notes – John’s gospel includes these people at the cross who were there when Jesus died: 1. Jesus’ mother 2. His mother’s sister Salome, the mother of James and John 3. Mary of Clopas, which means the Mary married to Clopas. Church tradition is that Clopas (or Cleopas) was the brother of Jesus’ earthly father Joseph. This Mary is referred to as the mother of James and Judas, two of Jesus’ apostles. So if this Mary was married to Joseph’s brother, then these apostles would also be Jesus’ cousins. 4. Mary Magdalene 5. The apostle John himself. As the oldest son, Jesus commissions John, His cousin, to care for His widowed mother. At this point none of Jesus’ four half-brothers are believers.
That the Messiah’s loved ones observed His humiliation from a distance fulfills Psalms 15:36; 38:11.
Read Mark 15:33-34.
Background Notes – In our last lesson, we learned that Jesus suffered the wrath of man during His first three hours. While receiving man’s wrath, He ministered to man from the cross as only our holy God could do. Now it is the sixth hour, which is 12 PM, the brightest time of day; so from noon until 3 PM Jesus drank from the cup of God’s wrath under the cloak of darkness. Extra-biblical sources record a midday three-hour time of darkness covering the land beyond Israel’s borders that could possibly coincide with the gospel accounts.
For the gospel writers, this may have brought a key story in Jewish history to mind. Before rescuing His people from slavery, God judged Egypt for her sins with ten plagues (Exodus 7-12). During the ninth plague, God covered only the land where the Egyptians lived in complete darkness for three days. He described it as “a darkness which may be felt.” After Pharoah again refused to let God’s people go, He sent the tenth plague, the death of the first born. Whether Jew or Gentile, those first born whose door lintel was covered with the blood of a perfect male lamb, were spared.
In conjunction with darkness covering the earth, Matthew and Mark record, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” as if they are Jesus’ last words on the cross. He is quoting only the first verse in Psalm 22, but this draws our attention to the entire Psalm, which is likely Jesus’ intent. Lament psalm speakers typically open with a thesis “main idea” complaint that other complaints support. We saw in our last lesson how the complaints of Psalm 22 were fulfilled as Jesus endured the wrath of manon the cross. But the Righteous One speaks this hard “Why” as a rhetorical question while suffering the agony of the wrath of God. Between complaints, a lament speaker stridently petitions the sovereign mighty God for help only He can give; in effect, the chorus of these petitions is “Do not abandon me in my darkest hour.”
Every lament ends in this way -- before the speaker receives one answer from God, he offers his own by concluding his song with effusive declarations of trust and praise.
Read Mark 15:35-37.
You may wish to revisit the background information of Lesson 37 on Day 4 to help you process the Day 2 and Day 3 questions. Go to http://gracelaredo.org/learningjesus.
1. Abandoned
o Why MUST God abandon Jesus?
o Why do you think Jesus chose to declare out loud that God had abandoned Him? Consider why, of all the words Jesus spoke on the cross, Mark chose to only include these words.
2. Trusting
o How might this cry actually express Jesus’ trust in His God?
o ALL humanity has abandoned God. All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus willingly submitted to being abandoned by the Father so that we would never be abandoned by the Father. How does knowing this increase your trust in God?
3. We learned that a lament psalmist will open with complaint and end with praise. In between he will plead for God to not abandon him in his darkest hour on the basis that he is a “righteous sufferer.” How is Jesus, as the supreme righteous sufferer, showing us how to actually deepen our relationship with the Father during our darkest hours?
Background Notes – The bystanders hear Jesus say, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.” Eli translates as “God,” but it is also a shortened version of Elijah. So perhaps bystanders heard Eli and assumed Jesus was calling for Elijah. What the Jewish bystanders would have known about Elijah is that this prophet boldly preached a message of repentance to a mostly apostate Israel, that God performed striking miracles of provision and judgment through Eli, that Malachi prophesied Elijah would return before the Day of the Lord, and that Elijah did not physically die; the Lord sent a chariot of fire and took him in a whirlwind to heaven. Taken these details together with the thick darkness, we can see why the Israelites had imaginative ideas about Elijah.
Day 2 – It is finished! Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”
Read John 19:28-30.
Background Notes – In John’s account, Jesus speaks for the fifth time from the cross. Dehydration was part of the cruel punishment by crucifixion, but here are two speculative questions about Jesus’ particular thirst: 1) In the story of the afterlife of the beggar Lazarus and the unnamed rich man, we read that the rich man was so thirsty after suffering God’s wrath upon him in hell that he begs, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame” (Luke 16:22-24). Is Jesus also thirsty because He just experienced God’s wrath upon Him? 2) Jesus accepts this sour wine because, unlike the first offered wine, it would not dull His pain, and sour wine would refresh Him (Numbers 6:13; Ruth 2:14). But does John include the hyssop drenched in sour wine to recall the hyssop drenched in the blood of the Passover Lamb on the eve of the Exodus?
In fulfillment of Psalm 69:21, Jesus receives the sour wine and is able to testify. His first statement “tetelestai!” is translated “It is finished!” but it literally means “paid in full.” Jesus speaks in the perfect tense, which expresses a continued action: Jesus paid our debt in full, and it is still paid in full.
1. Read John 19:28-30 again. How do you see in the details John includes that Jesus is in control of life and death? Consider how we have seen John develop this theme throughout his gospel.
Read Luke 23:46-47.
Background Notes – Only Luke records Jesus’ final words: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” and he writes that Jesus cried out “with a loud voice.” Jesus is quoting from Psalm 31, but He adds “Father.” Dr. Fruchtenbaum points out that Jesus called God “Father” 170 times and “My Father” 21 times; none of the four gospels record Jesus referring to His Father as “My God” until He speaks from the cross: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Fruchtenbaum concludes that Jesus petitions God as God at the end of suffering God’s wrath because their relationship at this point was judicial. But after paying the blood price in full, their relationship is restored to Father and Son. The Father answers Jesus’ prayer and resurrects His Son from spiritual death before He died physically on the cross (Yeshua: The Life of the Messiah from a Jewish Perspective, Vol 4). Darrell L. Bock states Jesus is “the righteous sufferer par excellence.” With Jesus’ final words “he expresses his trust that God will care for him. In fact, this is a call to resurrect him” (Luke vol 2).
Having uttered this plea, the synoptic gospel writers state that Jesus surrendered His spirit to the Father; only John, emphasizing Jesus’ control, says Jesus put His head down before surrendering His spirit.
2. How do you see the Son’s trust in the Father?
3. What do you think about this idea that the Father answers Jesus’ prayer and resurrects His Son from spiritual death before He died physically on the cross? If you think this question is hard, that’s because it is! You may want to re-read Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in Lesson 37.
Day 3 – The Father tears the veil and shakes the earth.
Read Matthew 27:51-53.
Background Notes – Woven in royalty colors of blue, purple, and scarlet along with fine twisted linen, the veil of the temple was sixty feet high and thirty feet wide. This was no ordinary curtain, for it was also four inches thick. Under the Mosaic Law, only the high priest could go behind this curtain into the Holy of Holies, and even he could only do this on the Day of Atonement. He entered into the presence of God to offer blood for his sins and the sins of the people. The author of the book of Hebrews compares this veil to the body of Christ (10:19-20).
Several rabbinic legends report unusual happenings in the Temple in A.D. 30. The Legend of Azazel connects to the implications of the rending of the veil. Azazel means “removed.” On the Day of Atonement, the high priest applied the blood of a sacrificed goat to a second goat that was sent into the wilderness. This goat symbolized the removal of Israel’s sins. To visualize the scarlet sins of the people (Isaiah 1:18), a red ribbon was tied onto the goat before it was released. According to the legend, year after year this ribbon would miraculously turn white, and this miracle indicated that God had forgiven the sins of the people. However, in forty years before the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, the red ribbon failed to turn white. Read the Deep Think for more information on the implication of the veil and the meaning of the two goats.
1. If the Father tore the veil that separated the people from His Holy presence after His Son died, what does that tell you about the purpose of His Son’s death and the mercy of God?
2. Some believe that the tearing of the veil also reveals God’s impending judgment upon the Temple and Jerusalem in A.D. 70. How might that also be true?
“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).
3. In order for us to receive God’s mercy, Jesus had to experience judgment. During this time He was separated from His Father spiritually as to His human spirit for the first time.
o Meditate on being separated from the Father. Give yourself plenty of time.
o Now re-read our Hebrews text above again. Meditate on the relationship with the Father through the Son that this passage promises you.
o Are you truly enjoying that promised relationship as God intended you to enjoy it? Pray through that with praise and confession and petition. See the Deep Think to better understand and appreciate all God accomplished through the death of the Messiah so that you two would enjoy perfect relationship.
Background Notes – Two more unusual events are recorded in conjunction with the death of Christ. One is an earthquake and the other, recorded only in Matthew, is that dead believers rose from their tombs and appeared to many. Matthew provides no explanation for this unusual event. It does recall to our minds, however, Jesus’ promised final sign, the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12). We saw how Lazarus’ resurrection partially fulfilled Jesus’ promised sign (John 11), and now these risen believers would also testify of Christ’s power over death and life, and not just life but abundant life (John 10:10).
Day 4 – Truly this man was the Son of God! Certainly this man was innocent.
In our last texts for this lesson, you will read from the synoptic gospels how both Jews and Gentiles responded to the signs that accompanied the death of Christ. Note how these signs pointed all to the person of Christ. In particular, note how these three gospels together create the full response of the Roman centurion who oversaw Jesus’ crucifixion.
Read Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:39-40; Luke 23:47.
Background Notes – Bock speculates that Luke summarizes the centurion’s confession that Jesus is the Son of God, recorded in Matthew and Mark, as “Certainly this man was innocent.” Regardless, the point is if Jesus is the Son of God, then He is innocent and the crucifixion this centurion and his soldiers conducted was unjust.
1. How do the bystanders respond? Why? How do the women disciples distinguish themselves from these?
2. Recall all that the centurion would have observed about the Christ Person as he executed Jesus’ crucifixion. In light of this and the finale of darkness and the earthquake, why would he now conclude that Jesus is the Son of God and as such innocent?
3. How might Mark’s Roman Gentile readers been impacted by this centurion’s confession? How does his confession impact you?
Day 5 – What did Jesus’ death accomplish? — Personal Reflection Day
Following Jesus, we can confidently say “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum has listed fifteen results and implications of Jesus’ death* that affirm we shall NEVER be forsaken. As you read them, think about how these realities free YOU to confidently love God and other people. Knowing these realities not only strengthens your convictions about Christ, but leads you to worship. Enjoy!
1. satisfaction: “a full legal equivalent for wrong done” The Law of Moses demanded satisfaction; Jesus’ death met God’s requirement for justice (Isa 53:10-12; Gal 1:4; Eph 5:2). Sinners who trust in Christ are not condemned for failing to meet the requirements of the law (Lev 17:11; Rom 8:1)
2. redemption: Jesus’ death paid the penalty price for humanity’s sin (2 Pet 2:1; Rom 5:18-19; 6:6,14)
3. propitiation: the Messiah’s death satisfied the wrath of God who is holy & just & merciful (Rom 1:18)
4. reconciliation: “to change the relationship of one person to another person” or “to change from enmity to friendship” Humanity can now be reconciled to God. Those who believe are saved. (Rom 5:10; Col 1:20)
5. ransom: Jesus’ blood paid the price for the penalty of our sin (Mt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6).
6. proof of God’s love for sinners: Jesus died for the world (the cosmos) while it was still in its sinful state (John 3:16; Rom 5:8; 1 John 3:16; 4:9).
7. judgment of the sin nature: Since the sin nature has been judged by the Messiah’s death, believers are not obligated to obey it (Rom 6:1-8:13).
8. end of the law of Moses: Jesus’ death rendered the Law of Moses inoperative for Jewish believers (Rom 7:4-6; 10:4; Eph 2:11-3:6; Gal 3:17-19).
9. basis for continuous cleansing: Based on “family forgiveness” the sins of believers continue to be removed (1 John 7-9)
10. basis for removal of pre-cross sins: Jesus died for all sins committed before He died (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:15)
11. judgment of Satan and his hosts: Satan and every fallen angel will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. This will take place after the Jesus reigns for one thousand years (John 12:31; Col 2:15).
12. righteous judgment’s deferral: Because Jesus died, God has given humanity more time to accept the gift of salvation although He has the right to judge sinners immediately (Rom 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9, 15)
13. grounds for peace: These realms now enjoy peace through the death of Christ: God/man (Rom 5:1); Jews/Gentiles (Eph 2:11-16); peace in the universe (Col 1:20).
14. national salvation of Israel: the precondition for Jesus’ second coming is the national salvation of Israel (Deut 30:1-3; Jer 31:31-34; Rom 11:25-29).
15. basis for the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom: Due to Jesus’ death the Messianic Kingdom can be established (Rev 5:8-14).
*Yeshua, The Life of Messiah from a Messianic Jewish Perspective Vol 4
Deep Think (totally optional)
Why did Jesus have to shed blood for us? Why is Jesus considered to be our representative and substitute? Why is Jesus the Christ the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sin?
Throughout Scripture God wove this scarlet thread -- only through the shedding of blood could sins be forgiven (Lev 17:11; Heb 9:19-22). God shed the first blood Himself. He provided animal skins to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness (Gen 3:21). His provision modeled atonement principles Christ’s death would fulfill: sin results in death for a substitute to cover the shame of the guilty (Lev 17:11; Rom 5:9). Before the law, sinners’ judgment was covered when sacrificial blood was shed and then applied to an altar (Gen 4:2-4; 8:20). In obedience to the law, Israel enacted a parable on the Day of Atonement when the high priest entered the earthly Holy of Holies with shed blood, the first time for himself and his house, but the next time for the people with the shed blood of one goat, chosen by lot among two (Lev 16:11-15; Heb 9:7-10). Then the high priest laid his hands on the second goat and sent it alive into the wilderness to carry Israel’s sins away (Lev 16:20-22). But the continual sacrifices and rituals of the law only provided temporary forgiveness and limited access to God; they could never perfect us so that we could enter God’s presence in heaven (Heb 9:9, 14; 10:1-4, 11).
Therefore, Jesus the sinless Lamb of God came to shed His blood voluntarily for the sins of the world (John 1:29; 10:18; 1 John 3:5). He entered the heavenly tabernacle through His own blood and accomplished what the first goat could not, propitiation: He satisfied the wrath of God for sin once and for all (Heb 9:12-14; 23-28). This proved God is just and love, for He was also the justifier (Rom 3:26; 1 John 4:8-10). When we believe Jesus took the penalty of death due us, His perfect blood perfects us, and this accomplishes what the second goat could not, expiation: He removes our sins forever (Rom 3:21-25; Heb 10:14-17). Through the blood of Christ we can now boldly approach God in the heavenly Holy of Holies (Heb 10:19-20) to praise Him, to confess our sins, and to seek His help in all things.
REFLECTION Questions
1. Read Row 3* of the Journey of Discipleship chart above. Note the progression from a seeker to a believer to a grower to a persevere-er from left to right.
o How would you capture the main idea of this growth row in a sentence or two?
o Where are you on the chart?
2. Are you preparing to move right?
o If not, what might be holding you back from laying down your life for others as Jesus laid down His life for you and for us?
o What fear for yourself is hidden in that hold back?
We saw that Jesus showed grace even as He was nailed to the cross. He chose to remain on the cross even though He had all power to remove Himself. We also saw that Jesus convicted the centurion, His “enemy,” that He was the innocent Son of God through His quiet confidence in the Father and through the Father’s vindication of the Son’s trust in tangible ways.
3. What fruit are you seeing as you forsake your life but in the Father’s hands?
COMMUNITY GROUP TIME
• Discuss Days 1-2; if time allows, read through the texts only of Days 3-4.
• Encourage your group to read through Day 5 and the Deep Think.
• Discuss Reflection Questions.
• Close in prayer.
God’s joy and strength to you,
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org