Think about the gospel for a moment: Jesus Christ came to this earth as fully God, the King of heaven, the Lord of all, the Creator God. But He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7 ESV).
Think of it friend, Jesus Christ came to this earth full of God’s glory, but He emptied Himself of everything for you, “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). God became Man, the King became a Servant, the Lord of all became “lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7). Jesus Christ continued to empty Himself as He went to the cross and was treated as if He were a common criminal. As He suffered there under the wrath of God, as He poured out His life’s blood for you and breathed His last gasp of air for you, He had emptied Himself completely, even of His own spirit (John 19:30).
You and I have never known anyone who went so far for someone they love. He poured out His very life unto death for us, emptying Himself of everything, including life itself! All for us!
And on the cross, Jesus entered the darkness. It was pitch black at noon, as we’ve studied in previous lessons. This was the darkness of judgment (Exodus 10:21), death (Psalm 88:13), oppression (Isaiah 9:1), the wicked (1 Samuel 2:9) and sin. The Father turned His face away from His own Son, the sun was blotted out as Jesus came into the darkness to rescue us. Oh, how this truth simultaneously breaks my heart and heals it! How about you?
And finally, after Jesus died, a broken and empty man in the darkness, He was buried. Friend, see your sin as having died on the cross with Jesus and buried in a borrowed tomb.
Yes, Jesus on the cross was empty, in darkness, and then He was buried. Just exactly like the earth in its initial stage of creation.
But let’s you and I watch from the sidelines, again, and see the grave that contained our Lord Jesus. It is now the third day since He died. What’s that we see? Look! Jesus is bursting out of that dark tomb! He is alive again, full of light and life! Having purchased our salvation on the cross He arose from the dead. Yes, there was a resurrection on the third day, just like there was on the very first “third day” there ever was.
And do you know what is the most wonderful news ever? He rose to justify us before God! “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God” (Romans 4:25).
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
(Text and music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899)
Oh friend, won’t you just bow in worship of this God-Man? Do you see Him there empty, in darkness, dead and buried for you? And do you see Him risen out of the grave on the third day for you? He did it all for you!
Tomorrow, we will see this illustration not as much as applying to Jesus Christ but as it applies to ourselves and depression. But until then, I just want to worship Jesus. Oh, Lord Jesus, I worship you from the bottom of my heart. I’m in tears as I write this, seeing the lengths you went to rescue me, how you entered the dark abyss of my sin and shame to raise me up with you on the third day!
Let's make this practical:
You are having dinner with the family and you are feeling frustrated. The children are noisy and then one of the children drops their food on the floor and the dog comes to lick it up. Everything explodes inside you as it is the last straw and you shout at them all to be quiet and show some respect. You see the children go quiet and your spouse is hurt. You are convicted that the darkness, emptiness and ugliness of the sin of anger has harmed not only your own heart but those around you.
But now you know a better way of freedom. Things are different. Knowing the gospel leads you to an entirely different response and a different outcome than you would have had in the past. The Holy Spirit speaks you to you in your anger and you hear Him. He calls you to come to the cross and remember what Christ has done for you there. You look to the cross and see Jesus pouring out His life as payment for your sins. while being enemies, Christ died for you. You remember that you've been fully forgiven, that Jesus has paid the price for your sins because He loves you with all of His heart and all of His life. He bore all of our pain and disappointments, condemnation and judgement for us. He took it ALL upon Himself so that you could be freed from the grip of sin.
You ask for and receive certain forgiveness from your Savior and feel the sweetness of His love starting to melt away your frustration, remembering Isaiah 30:15 that in repenting and resting in Jesus’ work of the cross is your salvation, and in quietness and trusting God is your strength. The unmerited kindness of God through Jesus Christ has set you free from sin. As you gaze upon the sacrificial love of Jesus on the cross, you receive the grace you need to get back up and return to your life in Christ with your family.
You go to your spouse and children and ask them to forgive your anger. You humble yourself as Christ did on the road to Calvary and show them with a transparent heart that you are also human and make mistakes but that you are so grateful that Jesus gives grace to everyone - spouses, parents and children- for forgiveness. Your family hug you in forgiveness and love as the flagpole of the gospel of grace is placed down in the center of your anger. You feel strengthened in your inner being as His resurrecting power lifts you up out of darkness, cleansed by His blood.
Question 5. Can you relate to this scenario of anger? If so, in what way? Can you see how remembering the gospel can bring us back to walking in step with the Spirit? Share your thoughts here.
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