The Suffering Savior

[0:00] Well, good morning again on this Palm Sunday. We are continuing our series on the cross as we march toward this coming Sunday, which is Easter, the day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ.

[0:14] And in today's message from God's Word, we're going to get just a small glimpse into the suffering, the depth of suffering that our Savior Jesus Christ endured for us.

[0:26] We're going to be continuing with what we began last week, or at least continuing Psalm 22, continuing in the 22nd Psalm. We looked at the first nine verses last week, and we're going to be beginning this week looking in the rest of the portion of chapter number 22.

[0:46] And Jesus endured so much suffering on our behalf so we could enjoy reconciliation with God the Father.

[0:57] It's even difficult to grasp the degree of suffering that Jesus endured. And the medical community has done their part to try to help us to see and understand what the human body goes through in a crucifixion.

[1:10] That's very, very gruesome. And just what Jesus endured prior to the cross would have been enough to almost kill any human being.

[1:23] Jesus endured that suffering. Then he goes to the cross and he does all of that for us. But as we think about the isolation of the cross was unimaginable.

[1:35] None could or even would help Jesus Christ as he hung there on the cross. Even his disciples forsook him and they fled.

[1:47] Most of them were not around there while he was there and they weren't with him. Another quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. We quoted him a bit last week.

[1:57] Another quote from Spurgeon is, Being friendless is crushing to the human soul. You can imagine Jesus as he is hanging there on the cross and just John and his mother is there watching what's going on.

[2:12] All the rest of his disciples had deserted him at that time. And also we look at the indignities of the cross. They're unfathomable what Jesus Christ endured for that.

[2:25] Another quote from Spurgeon. So just for the next few moments, let's try to grasp the degree of Christ's suffering.

[2:52] We begin with Psalm 22 and verse number 12 as we look at that together. Verse 12 begins, Many bulls have surrounded me.

[3:05] Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. This is a Psalm of David. And as we read this, we read this as coming from David. And it, I believe, has a dual fulfillment in that David is talking about what he was experiencing.

[3:22] But it was, to a great degree, a prophetic psalm. Talking about what the Messiah would ultimately have to enjoy. What we see in Psalm 22, we see things that I believe God's own people, Israel, have ignored.

[3:40] Ignored. Because we see that the Messiah is suffering. We see that the Messiah would suffer reproach for us, would suffer on our behalf.

[3:51] Verse number 13, They gape at me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.

[4:04] My heart is like wax. It has melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my jaws.

[4:16] You have brought me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me. The congregation of the wicked has enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet.

[4:29] I can count all my bones. They look and stare at me. They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

[4:42] But you, O Lord, do not be far from me. O my strength, hasten to help me. Let's pray. Lord, please use your word this morning to help us to have a glimpse into the reproach, the suffering, the loneliness that our Savior Jesus endured on our behalf, that we might be reconciled with God the Father.

[5:11] Help us this morning to understand just a little bit more the depth of suffering and the love that was shown so that we might be able to enjoy our worship with our head Father.

[5:27] We pray this this morning in Jesus' name. So how did Jesus, as we see in Psalm 22, we said he felt like water being poured out on the ground.

[5:39] He felt like he was being poured out on our behalf. We see that in verse 14, where he says, I'm poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.

[5:50] My heart is like wax. It has melted within me like poured water, yet no form or beauty. Well, the Bible talks about Jesus. It was 2 Isaiah 53.

[6:02] As a matter of fact, Isaiah 53 is one of the chapters in Isaiah that talks about what the Savior would ultimately endure. Psalm 53 talks about the suffering Savior.

[6:16] And we're having some slide change errors this morning. Back in Isaiah 53, 2, For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground.

[6:28] He has no form or comeliness. This was talking about Jesus. Jesus Christ didn't come onto the scene as some flashy televangelist. He didn't come onto the scene as someone who, just by sheer power of personality, would change the world.

[6:48] No, he would quietly and day by day and person by person, would change their hearts, would ultimately change their eternity, and one day would be hanging there on the cross, suffering for us, and would pay the sin debt of the entire world.

[7:06] He has no form or comeliness. And when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Physically, now, we don't know what Jesus looked like, contrary to the Italian painters.

[7:22] But, the Bible says that he was an ordinary human being, in terms of, he looked like any other Jew when you looked upon him. but, it, shielded the fact, or it, covered the fact, that he was the God of the universe.

[7:40] That he had left the glory of heaven, and taken upon himself human flesh, so that he would be able to have a body, that could suffer and die, for us.

[7:51] And so, Jesus, think about this. Jesus feeling like, water, water, and water being poured out on the earth. It had no form. It had no substance, so to speak.

[8:03] And Jesus, is the Lord of the earth's water. Think about it. He felt like water being poured out. He was the Lord of the water. He walked, on water.

[8:14] He stilled, the waves, and the storms of the sea, when he was in the boat. He offered himself, as living water, to those who thirsted, as he was going through, his life.

[8:28] And now he feels, like water being poured out. The cross, was the supreme example, of humiliation.

[8:40] Jesus, giving himself, utterly, and completely, opening himself up, to be used, abused, and ultimately, to die on the cross, in our place.

[8:52] So the cross, was a supreme example, of humiliation, of the Holy One. So he felt like being, like water being poured out, on the ground. And secondly, the Bible says, all his bones, were, out of, joint.

[9:10] Here's a quote, from Matthew Henry. He said, his bones were out of joint, that he might put, the whole creation, into joint, again. Think about that.

[9:22] All bones, out of joint, so that he might put, the whole creation, into joint, again. Which sin, had put out of joint, and might make, our broken bones, rejoice.

[9:36] That's what Jesus did, on, our behalf. We look again, at Psalm 22, 14. He says, I am poured out, like water, and all my bones, are out of joint.

[9:50] We can't even begin, to fathom, and understand, what happens, to the human body, during a crucifixion. Yes, he was nailed, through his hands, through his feet, and, he was raised up, the cross, coming down, with a jarring thud, into the bottom, of the hole, and, he is stretched, there, upon the cross, and, I'm sure, the, the weight, and, all of the forces, there, upon the body, were putting, stress, upon the joints, and the ligaments, all of this, he was suffering, for you, and, for me.

[10:28] I mean, we can only, partially, imagine, what it's like, just, yesterday, Nathan and I, were, putting down, flooring, putting down, laminate flooring, in our dining room, in our living room, and, literally, last night, I felt, like, I couldn't move, every single bone, every single joint, hurt, as a matter of fact, this morning, it was hard getting up, think about, being placed on a cross, after having been beaten, within an inch of your life, and, Jesus suffered that, for you, and he suffered that, for me, you know, as we, we think about, the triumphal entry, on the Sunday, prior to, the crucifixion, everyone, was excited, they were throwing, palm fronds, in front of, the donkey, as Jesus was being led, into town, triumphantly, but the very same people, who were doing this, were the ones, who cried out, crucify him, crucify him, crucify him, and Jesus suffers, that for you, and, for me, so it feels like, water being poured out, on the ground, the one who created, the water, the one who, walked on the water, the one who, stilled the water, the one who, offered himself up, as living water, feels like water, being poured out, on the ground, all his bones, out of joint, my heart is like wax, it has melted, within, me, so consider, just the pain, of one bone, being out of joint, and consider, all that Jesus, suffered,

[12:05] I think now, we're beginning to feel, a little bit, of the great deal, of suffering, the pain, that Jesus endured, and there was a reason, why, crucifixion, was not used, on Roman citizens, because it was, too horrendous, it was, too horrible, when we, when we think about, inhumane treatment, that's the way, the Romans looked at it, as a matter of fact, it was reserved, for the worst criminals, and, the Roman citizens, typically were not, crucified, on a cross, because it was, such a horrible, treatment, and, we see that, in Isaiah 53, he was, wounded for our, transgressions, he was, bruised, for our iniquities, and the suffering, due us, was placed, on Jesus Christ, on the cross, of Calvary, the strong one, the mighty one, the creator, of heaven, and earth, became weak, for you, and became weak, for me, he was brought, to the dust, of death, we see that, in Psalm, 22, 15, and then thirdly, to add insult, to injury, they started, gambling for his clothes,

[13:25] I mean, think about that, they were making, fun of him, they had, disrobed him, they divided, his clothes, and they were, casting lots, to see who could, have his, clothes, verse, 18, Psalm 22, and they, they divide, my garments, among them, and for my clothing, they cast lots, so his crucifiers, they're, dividing, or dividing, his clothes, they're casting lots, for them, think about it, the one, who came, to clothe sinners, with righteousness, is the one, who, his garments, are being gambled for, his enemies, took off his robe, here was sacrilege, at its summit, Jesus Christ, the God of the universe, the king, is suffering this, for you, and suffering this, for me, so as we think about, what Jesus Christ, has gone through, for us, it's so easy, for us, as believers, to, to gloss, over, what happened, during that, that week, leading up to the cross,

[14:47] I mean, just the prayer, of Jesus, in the garden, of Gethsemane, ought to give us, a little bit of hint, as to, what he realized, that he was going, to have to endure, sweating drops, of blood, as he prays, as he's, agonizing, over, the events, of, the following day, as he is going, to be, hanging, he's going, to be beaten, hanging there, on the cross, it's easy, for us, to, to, to miss, the depth, of not only, the suffering, but the love, that Jesus Christ, showed for us, remember back, years ago, when Mel Gibson, came out, with the movie, about the crucifixion, and people, were up in arms, why is it rated R, why is it rated R, is it because of, that was because, and they had to tone it down, because of the violence, wasn't, appropriate, for children, to watch, because it was, so extreme, and so severe, and personally,

[15:50] I believe, that they kind of, sugar coated it a bit, just to get it out, to get an R rating, because it was, so violent, as a matter of fact, I just can't even imagine, what Jesus endured, even what he looked like, think about it, when you, when you, go into, what the, the whip, that the Roman soldiers, used, to beat him with, what it would have done, as he was flailed, just what that would have done, to his body, and exposing, the rib cage, and on, and on, and on, what Jesus endured, and then, being hung on a, on a rough wooden cross, and having to, brace himself up, just to breathe, and allow him, to go back down, and had to, rise up, with every breath, can imagine, what he suffered, so it's easy, for us to, not really think about, what he endured for us, and just think about, the high points, the resurrection, and think about, all the great things, that he's done for us, without really thinking about, what he went through, for us, so as we, conclude this morning, and think about, the suffering, of Jesus, on the cross, for us,

[17:08] I, I think as we, we go through this week, I, I think we need to, spend some time, each day, realizing, and understanding, the suffering, of our Savior, because, I believe, that, that, is going to, bring into perspective, what happens, on the Sunday, morning, the first day, of the week, where the women, come to the tomb, and find the tomb, empty, Jesus Christ, suffered for us, and he rose again, from the dead, so that we might be able, to enjoy, life, so this week, as we spend time, contemplating, and preparing, for the resurrection, Sunday, let's think about, what Jesus endured for us, as you spend time, in your word, you may want to, to completely read, through the 22nd Psalm, maybe, maybe read through, Isaiah 53, as you're preparing, for, this, this weekend, where, we also, think about the day, that Jesus, hung there, on the cross, so as we read through, pray, and thank God, as, as you're seeing, this is what Jesus, endured for me,

[18:25] God thank you, oh God, I can't believe, that my sin, is what, prompted Jesus, to have to do this, on my account, thank you Father, for sending your, your own son, Jesus Christ, and pray through, what we read, in, these verses, two questions, as we conclude, what, does, the suffering of Christ, mean to you, what, does Jesus' suffering, mean to you, has the, reality of that, truly sunk in, as we, have caught a glimpse, into the suffering, of our Lord Jesus Christ, how does it impact us, how, how does, how do we respond, do we respond, with gratitude, or as we are prone, to do, sometimes, just, gloss over it, or, maybe take it for granted, what he, endured for us, so, what does the suffering, of Christ, mean to you, and then, the second question, how have we, responded, in repentance, and faith, to such love, are we living, a thank you life, if you've trusted Christ, as your Savior, and I, and I hope, this morning, that everyone here, has trusted Christ, as their Savior, you say, well,

[19:53] I'm not really sure, I, I know I believe, in Jesus, well, the Bible says, even the demons, believe, that Jesus is God, they know he came, they know he created, the earth, they know he created, them, it's not enough, for us to just, mentally believe, we have to understand, that Jesus, is God, he died on the cross, in our place, he is our Savior, and we need to, accept, that free gift, by grace, through faith, not by anything, we can do, we trust, and we receive, the gift, of eternal life, we're baptized, into the body of Christ, our sins, are forgiven, we are, made part, of the family of God, all who call, upon the name, of the Lord, the Bible says, shall be saved, so how, how will you, how will you, respond, to, such, suffering, and this gift, how do we respond,

[21:00] I trust, that it's in repentance, and in faith, to such a, profound act, of love, let's pray, Lord, today, we are, so very thankful, for, the life, of Jesus Christ, the earthly life, of Jesus Christ, who, made it possible, to die, a death, for, the entire human race, who would believe, and made it, made it effective, for everyone, who would believe, and also, thank you, Heavenly Father, for, the divine life, of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who could pay, an eternal sin debt, as no one else could, Father, this morning, as we think, of the suffering Savior, may it make, a profound difference, in our life, may it, make a difference, in, how we think, in our motives, in our attitude, and our actions, not only throughout, this week, but throughout, the rest of our life, and let this, not be a religion, let this, not just be, something, that culturally, we do, but, help us to understand, that this is a relationship, with you, and that as the body, of Christ, we are related, one to another, and Father, may we also, be willing to sacrifice, for each other, help us, as we make a difference, in the world around us,

[22:31] Father, help us to, prepare for, this, outreach, that we are planning, next month, Lord, I pray, that you would, help us to, even just do, in just a small way, something, for someone else, to, to take a few hours, out of our week, to make a difference, in someone's life, and it may not even be, by installing, a smoke detector, it might just be, by, showing a smiling face, extending, a welcoming hand, or maybe, even a hug, someone who needs it, an opportunity, to pray, for someone, going through, a difficult time, who knows, that, that maybe, for such a time, as this, that, whoever you place, on that team, going to that, particular residence, is the one, that, that you're going to use, to make a difference, in someone's life,

[23:35] Lord, help us, I know we, humanly speaking, are not able, to do much, but Father, you are able, to take everything, that we can do, and you can turn it, into something miraculous, Father, help us, to be going out, making a difference, helping, helping others, Father, help us to, this week, just spend some time, as well, with you, in prayer, meditating on, what you mean to us, to our families, Lord, help us, to make a difference, for you, and I pray, Lord God, that you would make, a difference, in our lives, we pray this, in Jesus name, Amen.