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We have been journeying together through the story of the gospel from Genesis to Revelation. The last few weeks we have taken a big picture look at who Jesus is as revealed in the gospels. And we meditated on why Jesus needed to die: to be the perfect sacrifice, to pay the penalty of our sin, which is death. See Romans 5, 8.
Today we are going to meditate on two passages about Jesus’ moment of death. It is my hope that the humility and willingness of Jesus, offering his life, will touch your heart. God loves us this much.
Before I read, take a deep breath to quiet your mind to meditate on God's word.
Luke 22:19–20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
What did you notice from that scripture? Meditate on this for a moment.
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b]
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[c] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 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!”
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[d] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
What stuck out to you as you listened to these passages? Meditate on this for a moment.
Friend, the moment Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. God's power tore the dividing wall, which separated his presence from his people. Now, those of us who believe in Him, we have this presence that dwelled in the Temple, that dwelled in the Tabernacle—this presence now dwells in our hearts through faith.
It is the presence of God that Jesus promised his disciples in John 14:26—the Holy Spirit. You have the gift of the Holy Spirit if you have repented and believed in Jesus.
But are you listening to him? Are you reading his word? Are you yielding to his convictions and proddings in your mind and heart? Meditate on this for a few moments, and then pray about it, or anything else the spirit brings to mind. Let's meditate. Pray.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, one and only true God, we worship you. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. You tore the curtain of the temple in two, and now you live in our hearts through faith. But God, sometimes we follow our own thoughts in our own ways instead of your Holy Spirit.
Please help us to be disciplined, to be in your Word, and to listen to what you say through your Word and through the leading of the Spirit in our lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Thank you for joining me today on the Well Soul Podcast for our life of Jesus series through our story of the gospel. Now Lent starts in a few days on February 14th, and it can be a time of confusion for evangelical Christians to know exactly what Lent is and what to do.
I've created a resource for you available on the blog with a link in the show notes to help you make Lent a meaningful season of reflection, confession, and spiritual renewal. See the link in the show notes.
Have you signed up to be part of the WellSoul community? See the link in the show notes to sign up for weekly emails and encouragement and resources to live with a WellSoul.
In closing, I remember my late friend, Brian Vasquez, who made this podcast possible. God bless you, and I pray that you have a WellSoul.