CROSS-WORDS # 5 – 2
WORDS, 4 PICTURES
John 19: 28-30
28 After
this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished,
to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am
thirsty." 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing
there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine
upon a branch of hyssop and
brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when
Jesus had received the sour wine, He
said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His
head and gave up His spirit.
I Jesus the SAVIOUR
Over 100 prophecies in the Old Testament speak specifically about the crucifixion
of Jesus, and every one of them came to pass.
II Jesus the SACRIFICE
- Jesus was given sour wine on a branch of hyssop
· Passover
· Jesus – unblemished lamb; complete sacrifice; Lamb of God.
III Jesus the SUFFERER
A.
Explaining Suffering
Would a good God really allow suffering, and if so, why?
“The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the
Christian faith. Its distribution and degree appear to be entirely random and
therefore unfair. Sensitive spirits ask if it can possibly be reconciled with God’s
justice and love.” John Stott
Reason #1 – To CHASTEN us
As a loving Father, God chastens us for our spiritual growth. – Hebrews 12: 5-6
Psalm 32:
2-4
Reason #2 – To CREATE dependency on God
II Corinthians 1: 8-9
8
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our
affliction
which
came to us in
strength, so that we despaired
even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of
death
within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God
who
raises the dead;
Shows us how weak our own resources really are.
Reason # 3 – To CONFORM us to the image of Christ.
Romans 5: 3-4
3And
not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that
tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance,
proven character;
and proven character, hope;
How have you responded to the difficulties of life? Have you become BITTER or
BETTER? Have your grown in your faith or turned away
from God?
REASON # 4 – To CAUSE unity – Romans 12:15
Pain and suffering seem to have a special ability to show us how much we need
each other. We have been drawn closer and have been strengthened as we have
faced the struggles of life together. Suffering drains out strength, until we lean on
other believers to find new strength in the Lord’s power.
Ultimately, suffering is still a mystery. We cry out for a complete answer to the
riddle of suffering. God offers Himself instead. And that’s enough. If we know
that we can trust Him, we don’t need full explanations. The good news is that God
can weave our disappointments and suffering into his eternal plan.
B. Empathizing with Suffering
How does the Samaritan show concern for the suffering man?
1. PRESENCE
2. EMPATHY
3. PRACTICAL HELP
4. FOLLOW
UP
Even though the best comforters are those who have undergone similar situations, that
doesn’t let us off the hook! All of us have a responsibility to do all we can to empathize,
to try to understand, to try to comfort. Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15. There is no magic
cure for a person in pain. Mainly, such a person needs love, for love instinctively detects
what is needed.
God made us to be DEPENDENT on one another.
IV Jesus the SATISFYER of the thirsty
Partake of Him, the Living Water!