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He Died Alone - Matthew 27:45-50

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At noon the whole country became dark. This darkness continued for three hours. At about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" This means, "My God, my God, why have you left me alone?" Some of the people standing there heard this. The people said, "He is calling Elijah." Quickly one of the people ran and got a sponge. That person filled the sponge with vinegar and tied the sponge to a stick. Then he used the stick to give the sponge to Jesus to drink from it. But the other people said, "Don't bother him (Jesus). We want to see if Elijah will come to save him." Again Jesus cried with a loud voice. Then he died. (ERV)   Full Text

Key Thought

Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and died.
Sounds so routine. "Jesus executed at Golgotha!" "Convicted Blasphemer Crucified." "Jesus dies on a Cross." They don't even make good headlines. But underneath the headline is a powerful message: Jesus would rather die for us than live without us.
This understanding is powerful when we realize he had the power to prevent it. It is convicting when we reawaken to the reality that it was our sin that made it necessary for him to die. Even more powerful, Jesus dies alone, with no one to save him from his pain or ridicule, no one to comfort or care for him, no one to offer verbal comfort and assurance. Jesus died knowing his best friends have betrayed him, denied him, and forsaken him. No wonder he cried out in a loud voice. He died alone so we would never have to face humiliation, agony, abandonment, or betrayal alone.

Today's Prayer

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Almighty God and tender Father, despite my deepest reverential thanks, I can find no words that adequately communicate my heart-felt gratitude and appreciation for the debt that Jesus paid and the gift that you have given me through grace in him. Please empower me to live each day as a demonstration of my appreciation for your love. In the precious and mighty name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
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Today's Verses in Context

At noon the whole country became dark. This darkness continued for three hours. At about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" This means, "My God, my God, why have you left me alone?" Some of the people standing there heard this. The people said, "He is calling Elijah." Quickly one of the people ran and got a sponge. That person filled the sponge with vinegar and tied the sponge to a stick. Then he used the stick to give the sponge to Jesus to drink from it. But the other people said, "Don't bother him (Jesus). We want to see if Elijah will come to save him." Again Jesus cried with a loud voice. Then he died. When Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn into two pieces. The tear started at the top and tore all the way to the bottom. Also, the earth shook and rocks were broken. All the graves opened, and many of God's people that had died were raised from death. Those people came out of the graves. After Jesus was raised from death, those people went into the holy city (Jerusalem), and many people saw them. The army officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus saw this earthquake and everything that happened. They were very afraid and said, "He really was the Son of God!" Many women were standing away from the cross, watching. These were the women that followed Jesus from Galilee to care for him. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and John were there.

— Matthew 27:45-56 (ERV)

 

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
 
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He was hurt and punished. But he never protested. He said nothing--like a sheep being taken to be killed. He was like a lamb that makes no sound when someone cuts off its wool. He never opened his mouth {to defend himself}. Men used force and took him--and they did not judge him fairly. No person can tell about his future family, because he was taken from the land of living people. He was punished to pay for the sins of my people.
Isaiah 53:7-8 (ERV)

In the past, your spiritual lives were dead because of your sins and the things you did wrong against God. Yes, in the past you lived doing those sins. You lived the way the world lives. You followed the ruler of the evil powers over the earth. That same spirit is now working in those people who refuse to obey God. In the past, all of us lived like those people. We lived trying to please our sinful selves. We did all the things our bodies and minds wanted. We were {evil} people. We should have suffered God's anger because of the way we were. We were the same as all other people. But God's mercy is very great, and God loved us very much. We were {spiritually} dead. We were dead because of the things we did wrong against God. But God gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace (kindness). And God raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavenly places. God did this for us who are in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1-6 (ERV)

Those children are people with physical bodies. So Jesus himself became like those people and had the same experiences people have. Jesus did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death. That one is the devil. Jesus became like those people and died so that he could free them. They were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.
Hebrews 2:14-15 (ERV)


 
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