Monday, July 25, 2011

Some Responses To The Death of Christ


Matthew 27:54-56

The Response Of Saving Faith...

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So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)

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The centurion commanded over a hundred men.

He and his men were given the responsibility of guarding the Lord Jesus Christ.

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When the sun instantly became dark at noon, when the earthquake split the ground and the rocks, and when the graves were opened, they knew something out of the ordinary was happening.

And they feared greatly.

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The soldiers were not afraid merely of the earthquake or the darkness.

Inherent within their fear was spiritual awe.

They concluded that the Lord Jesus Christ was not just another criminal or rebel.

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They might had heard the Lord Jesus Christ spoke.

Now they saw miraculous phenomena.

They knew something has gone wrong.

Their fear indicated an awareness of their sins.

They feared they might be under the judgment of God.

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They affirmed the divine Sonship of Jesus.

Their confession indicated salvation.

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What had happened to the centurion and some of the soldiers was a work of the Holy Spirit.

Through the Lord Jesus Christ’s attitude and words on the cross, and through the supernatural phenomena, the Holy Spirit brought them to an affirmation of faith that can only come from God.

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The best response anyone can have toward the gospel is saving faith.

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The Response of Sympathetic Loyalty...

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And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. (Matthew 27:55-56)

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The women stood afar off.

The soldiers kept some area clear between the cross and the crowd.

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These women were loving and sympathetic.

But they could only watch their Master die.

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Their loyalties ran so deep.

Their hearts were so filled with love and sympathy.

They would stay with the Lord Jesus Christ to the end.

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They didn’t fear the Jews or the Romans.

Nothing could overpower their love and sympathy for the Lord Jesus Christ.

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They had followed the Lord Jesus Christ from Galilee to the foot of the cross.

They remained loyal, sympathetic, unwavering, and faithful.

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God allowed these women to be eyewitnesses of His Son’s death and resurrection because they were faithful.

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What about us?


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