Jesus is God! – Study of LukePart 20- “The King in the Grave”

Luke 23:44-56

• Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened…” Luke 23:44-45a

• From approximately noon until 3:00 PM on the day of Christ’s crucifixion there was darkness over the land. The word eklipontos is used to describe this eclipse or darkening of the sun. The darkness of that day was both spiritual and physical as the Holy One takes on our sinfulness as payment in full for our sins. In the darkness of these hours God is there, God is working, God is moving! In the midst of the darkness, light and hope are dawning. This morning we are going to peer through the darkness of the crucifixion and see that God is there when darkness falls.

BIG IDEA: God is there when darkness falls

Luke 23:44-49• 44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was

darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” 48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

GOD IS THERE WHEN DARKNESS FALLS

• The CURTAIN Tears – A Better Communion is Unveiled– 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the

Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,” Hebrews 10:19–20

• The CENTURIAN Repents - A New Life is Birthed– 32“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will

also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32–33

Luke 23:49-56• 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him

from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

GOD IS THERE WHEN DARKNESS FALLS

• The CURTAIN Tears – A Better Communion is Unveiled

• The CENTURIAN Repents -A New Life is Birthed• The COUNCILMAN Steps Forward - A

Concealed Follower is Revealed– “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will

also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32–33

• There is so much about the crucifixion scene that is dark and foreboding, yet as darkness falls God is certainly there. The cross reminds us of Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about at it is this day, to save many people alive.” The cross offers us light in the midst of the darkness that surrounds.

• Romans 8:28, 30 tells us , “And we KNOW that ALL things work together for GOOD to those who LOVE God, to those who are CALLED according to His PURPOSE…to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE of HIS SON…”.

• Just as God and His purposes were at play in the darkness of the crucifixion, so also God’s purpose and presence are present when darkness falls in your life!

BIG IDEA: God Is There When Darkness

Falls