Introduction
- This marks the end of Christ's ministry.
- See vv. 36-37.
- It is a solemn subject.
THE AGONY THAT CAME ON OUR SAVIOUR
* "Now is my soul sore troubled"
- This agony came suddenly on Him.
- Illustration: a sudden pain or heart-attack.
- The reason for it: the shadow of Calvary.
- Christ's restraint from prayer for relief.
- Christ embracing His painful mission.
- The end in view of His pains: the glory.
Application: We must choose duty however painful.
THE TESTIMONY GIVEN BY GOD THE FATHER
- The origin of these words: God the Father:
3 testimonies by the Father to Christ.
- All Scripture bears witness to Christ.
Application: To despise the Bible is to reject Christ.
- The glory of God: (i) what it is (ii) why so important
- The two aspects of this glory here.
- It is sin to aim at anything less than the glory of God ("come short of"): e.g. charity works, forms of worship or of evangelism.
Application: "Do all to the glory of God".
THE FAILURE OF THE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND
- People hear but do not understand.
Application: How much truth is lost among men!
- Some thought is was "thunder".
Application: What a lot they failed to hear!
- Others that is was an "angel".
Application: Not comfort for Christ but help for us!
- Christ's explanation: "for your sakes".
Application: All the truths of Scripture are for our sakes - but do you understand?
THE MEANING OF THESE GREAT THINGS
- The world's greatest moment: "NOW"!
Observe: The Cross is history's climax.
- "The judgement of this world".
- "The prince of this world cast out".
- Christ "lifted up" on the Cross.
- The drawing power of the Cross.
CONCLUSION
To understand the Cross is the greatest step of learning we could make.