The Cup of Wrath :26-31, :26-49

Intro: is now enduring the cup of suffering as he already prophesied (Luke 22:42, :11). Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:11

Matthew 27:26-31 Matthew 27:26 - The murderer was released, and Jesus is flogged and then handed over to be crucified. v27-31 - The ‘governor’s soldiers’ were under the authority of Pilate, who was the ruling Roman Governor in at the time. Notice that the ‘whole company of soldiers’ were there. This number is estimated at between 200 and 600. “Under Mosaic Law, the Jews could not scourge someone with more than 40 lashes (Deut. 25:3; cf. 2 Cor. 11:24). However here, the Romans—not the Jews—were scourging Jesus. They had no limit on the number of lashes they could impose on a prisoner. They customarily used a leather whip with pieces of bone and or metal embedded in the thongs, a flagellum. Scourging with this whip often turned human flesh into pulp and exposed the bones and internal organs. People frequently died from this type of flogging. The Romans used it to weaken prisoners before .” Constable, Notes on Luke The soldiers treated Christ terribly; their treatment of him was inhumane and barbaric. It is ironic that in their as ’King of the Jews’, they are declaring the truth about him. However, Jesus was not just King of the Jews, but was King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” Isaiah 50:6 “Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness" :14 Remember, that Jesus was innocent and had done nothing deserving this cup of suffering. Judas claimed that he was innocent (Matthew 27:4), Pilate’s wife said Jesus was innocent (Matthew 27:19). Pilate found out that he was innocent (Luke 23:14), Herod found him innocent (Luke 23:15), and the thief on the cross found him innocent (Luke 23:41). Why did Jesus have to suffer so much? “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Romans 5:9-10 Jesus took the full wrath of God for the penalty for sin which is death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 “Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” :4,5 “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53:10 Jesus died for your sins and mine. The full penalty for our sin was poured out on Christ. It was the father’s will for Jesus to suffer so that for those who believe in Jesus by faith we may be reconciled back to God. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:21,22 Luke 23:26-49 v26-31 - At this point, Jesus has been betrayed (Luke 22:48), abandoned by the disciples (Mark 14:50), spat on and beaten at the high priest’s house (Mark 14:65), rejected by the Jewish religious rulers of the day, flogged and beaten by the Romans with a thrust into his head (Matthew 27:26-31). Now the Romans are making him carry his own cross. A piece of cut wood which hadn’t been sanded down smooth; just rough wood scraping on his blood-raw back. Jesus is so exhausted from the pain and loss of blood that he collapses in the middle of the crowded street. His cross has to be taken from him because he physically cannot carry it anymore. v32-38 - Jesus Son of God was nailed to a wooden cross; one nail through his left hand, one nail through his right hand and then one nail pinning both feet to the cross as well. Do you understand how much pain was in the cup of wrath? Jesus bore the cup of wrath for you. How does this make you feel? Notice, that while Jesus was on the cross, he forgave those in the crowd - even while they sneered, 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” Jesus could have called down more than twelve legions of (:53) to wipe the crowd out and have his justice. Jesus chose to forgive unconditionally. We must remember that forgiveness is a choice. It means bearing the consequences of someone else's sin without taking revenge. v39-43 - There are two choices about Jesus Christ: 1) To believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God who died for your sins, 2) To not believe that Jesus is your savior and reject him. The two criminals clearly display these choices. Both criminals would die in a short space of time; the one who believed would be in paradise (i.e. with Jesus). Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, God's Savior or not?

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”John11:25,26 "After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53:11

Application 1) Reverence 2) Gratitude 3) Remember the suffering, but also remember the victory. 4) What changes will you make to your life on account of Jesus' suffering for you?