Hope of Eternal Life

N.T.#312 "Hope of Eternal Life"

May 24, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 15

LET IT GLOW 

What were some of the sayings of Jesus while hanging on the cross?

*Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Jesus was praying for those who put Him on the cross. I think that includes the Jewish leaders and Roman leaders and soldiers, as well as you and me, whose sins put Jesus on the cross.

*Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.(Luke 23:43) That is what Jesus told the thief hanging on the cross beside Him. That man had declared they were guilt, but Jesus had done nothing to deserve dying on a cross, declared the thief.

*Father, into Thy hands I comment My Spirit: and having said this, He gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46) 

*It is finished! (John 19:30)

This came from Psalm 31:5, Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit; Thou hast ransomed Me, O LORD, God of truth. 

Jesus' redemptive work was finished. When Jesus breathed His last breath, at that moment, the atonement for the fallen, sinful, depraved humanity was accomplished. Jesus didn't die for His own sins, because He had not committed any, but for those that caused His death, those who lived then and now and in the future-us. What a sacrificial love!

LET IT GROW 

And, behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)

This was the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. (Exodus 26:31) This symbolizes the permanent opening of God's presence to man and man's direct access to God through the atoning death of Christ. (Falwell)

It is a historical fact that Jesus of Nazareth suffered, was crucified, and died. It satisified the demands of the Father,

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)

Had He not done this, we would all perish in our countless sins. We would die in our sins and never know the joy of forgiveness or eternal life. That would be utter and absolute hopelessness. (Swindoll)

Yet Jesus gives us hope of eternal life, joy today, peace with God! Have you found it, friend? Do you walk and talk with Jesus?

LET IT GO

Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the punishment of my sins!

Thank You for loving me and giving me salvation.

What a cost it is-Your death on a cross, shedding YOur blood for me, a sinner.