Lesson 13 Review: Christ in the Crucible

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?’ “ (Matthew 27:46, NKJV).

‘God chose to bear in Himself the brunt of the suffering caused by our abuse of that freedom’. Christ’s suffering and death on the cross created the bonds between heaven and earth that will last throughout eternity.

What was the nature of Jesus’ early days on earth?

Jesus though sinless was so much in contact with sin, He lived in poverty and His life was threatened. More so the fact that His character was a sharp contrast to the environment must have been so painful for Him.

How was Jesus treated in His days on earth?

Jesus was despised and rejected by men, although He revealed Himself in many ways to the people they sought for even a way to kill Him. The people rejected Jesus He did not feel bad that He was rejected, He felt bad about consequences of our sins.

What must it have felt like in Gethsemane for Jesus?

Jesus was to go through what no sinful man had even gone through before, it was an agonizing moment for Jesus, He prayed that the cup be taken away from Him however at God’s will. This was the climax of Jesus’ suffering and the moment He was going to pay for the sins of the whole world.

What events surrounding the death of Jesus showed there was more than just the killing of an innocent person?

1.       There was darkness for three hours over all the land. (Matthew 27: 45).

2.       The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, the rocks were split, the earth quaked, and the graves were opened and may bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised from the dead. (Matthew 27: 51, 52).

3.       The book of Mark also testifies that the veil of the temple was torn in tow from top to bottom. (Mark 15: 38).

What two things should we keep in mind in the midst of our sufferings?

First, Christ, our Lord, has suffered more than any of us ever could. Second, ‘we have been promised through what Christ has done for us.’

What have we been promised through Christ’s suffering?

Whatever our sufferings are, thanks to Jesus and His suffering on the cross we have the promise of eternal life. Whatever we face now is only for a very brief period and it cannot be compared to the eternal life that we will have as reward.

In Conclusion,

In the midst of our suffering we should remember that Jesus went through a much greater suffering for us. Christ also went through the crucible in order to secure a reward for us, in the same way if we overcome the crucible there is the promise of eternal life waiting us, I pray that this promise of eternal life be ours in Jesus’ name.