Good Friday Reflection THE ONE WHO DIED IN OUR PLACE Matthew 26:57-27:61 Penge Baptist Church 29 th March 2013

Death in our place foreshadowed By Isaiah But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. By John the Baptist The next day he [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! “ And by Jesus himself just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Punishment without a crime … “ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward ” (Matthew “ Why? What crime has he committed? ” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “ Crucify him! ” “ My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. ”

… and crime without a punishment Now it was the governor ’ s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “ Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? ”…. “ Which of the two do you want me to release to you? ” asked the governor. “ Barabbas, ” they answered. (Matthew 27:15-17, 21)

Barabbas, Jesus and us Barabbas and Jesus Barabbas “ the son of the father ” Barabbas called Jesus “ God saves ” Barabbas sought liberation by violence, Jesus by love Barabbas willing to kill, Jesus willing to die Barabbas and us Guilty of crime “ You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘ Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. ’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. ” (Matthew 5:21-22) A fair trial! Jesus takes Barabbas ’ place – and ours!

Our place at the cross The third cross was intended for Barabbas For Jesus, crucifixion was hell The horror of guilt The mocking voices The helplessness The darkness Surrounded by despairing criminals The abandonment by God The hell that we deserve!

Truth in irony All the people answered, “ Let his blood be on us and on our children! ” (Matthew 27:25) “ He saved others, ” they said, “ but he can ’ t save himself! He ’ s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ” (Matthew 27:42) “ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘ I am the Son of God. ’ ” (Matthew 27:43)

Dying that others might live Our access to God At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. (Matthew 27:51) Jesus ’ killer comes to faith 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! ” (Matthew 27:54) Punishment and forgiveness He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)

Can we accept his sacrifice? For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14) I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. ” (Matthew 26:64)

Good Friday Communion