The Death of Jesus Luke 23:39-45; Matthew 27:45-56

(Compare Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:47-49; John 19:25-30)

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. The Dying Robber Won, Luke 23:39-43 Who is finally recorded as railing at Jesus? Did both of the malefactors rail at Jesus? (Matthew 27:44.) What induced them in such an hour to join in the general raillery at the Son of God? As the day wore along what change came over one of these men? What wrought this change? What was the first evidence he gave of repentance? (v. 41; compare Luke 15:18, 19; Leviticus 26:40, 41.) What led him to see his own sinfulness? What was the second step he took (v. 41)?

Who else gave the same testimony concerning Jesus? (Matthew 27:4, 19, 24, 54.) Did the dying robber believe on Jesus (v. 42)? How did he show his faith? What was his faith about Jesus? Did Jesus look much like a king just then? Of all the persons at the cross who had the most triumphant faith? What prepared the way for this faith (v. 41)? What encouraged him to think that Jesus might have mercy even on him (v. 34)? How did he address Jesus? (v. 42, R. V.) What were the characteristics of his prayer?

Did he get as much as he asked (v. 43)? Was the best part of Jesus' promise that he should be in Paradise? When should he be with Jesus in Paradise? Is the immediate departure to be with Jesus of those who fall asleep in Him taught anywhere else in the New Testament? (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:4, 6, 8.) Who went side by side with the Son of God into Paradise? Did this robber work for salvation? Was he baptized? Did he ever partake of the Lord's supper? Was he saved? 2. Satan Brought to Nought, Luke 23:44-45; Matthew 27:45-54 (Compare Hebrews 2:14, R.

V.) What strange phenomenon now appeared over the whole land (v. 44)? Was this an eclipse? At what quarter of the moon do eclipses occur? At what quarter of the moon did the Passover always occur? What was it if it was not an eclipse? What was its meaning? What was the effect of this and the accompanying phenomena upon the beholders? (v. 47; Matthew 27:54.) How did the scribes and priests feel when they saw these things? Will phenomena and events ever occur again that will strike terror to the hearts of Christ's enemies?

Did the priests and scribes repent? Why not? What time of day was it when all this occurred? What occurred at three o'clock? (Matthew 27:46.) From whence is this cry taken? (Psalm 22:1.) What did it mean? Why did it seem to Jesus that He was forsaken even by the Father Himself? (2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:6, 10; 1 Peter 2:24; Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 32:20; Micah 3:4; Isaiah 59:2.) Why did Jesus say, "Why hast thou forsaken Me"? Did He not understand it? What in the cry showed that Jesus had not altogether lost His hold upon God?

How was this cry understood by some? (Matthew 27:47.) Was this said in jest or earnest? What led to this misunderstanding? (Malachi 4:5 Matthew 17:10.) How did one of the soldiers show his sympathy? (Matthew 27:48.) What suggested this act? (John 19:28.) What indication have we here as to the height of the cross? Did all the soldiers have the same compassion as this one? What did Jesus do after He had received the drink? What would this "loud" cry indicate as to His physical condition?

What did He say after that cry? (John 19:30; Luke 23:46.) Then what did He do? Did anyone take His life from Him? (John 10:17, 18.) What prophecies were fulfilled when He gave up the spirit? (Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 53:12.) What wonderful things happened as Jesus died? (Matthew 27:50, 51; Luke 23:45.) How much of the veil of the temple was rent? (Matthew 27:51.) What was the significance of the veil being rent at Jesus' death? (Hebrews 10:19, 20.) Why was it rent from "the top to the bottom" and not from the bottom to the top?

What happened at the opened graves? (Matthew 27:52, 53.) Did these dead come out of their graves that same day? What became of them after they went into the holy city and appeared unto many? As God has not seen fit to tell us, is it wise for us to speculate about it? Which is wiser, to reflect and act upon the things God has been pleased to tell us, or to speculate about the things God has not been pleased to tell us? (Deuteronomy 29:29.) Has much of the theological controversy been about things that God has not been pleased to reveal?

Is there enough that is clearly revealed for purposes of salvation and Christian growth? What was the effect of the things that occurred upon the centurion and those with him? (Matthew 27:54; Luke 23:47.) What convinced the centurion? (Compare Mark 15:39.) What nailed Christ to that cross? (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Galatians 3:13.) What are the results of His crucifixion? (John 12:32, 33; 1 John 2:2; Isaiah 53:10; John 12:24; Hebrews 9:26; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 2:14-16; Galatians 4:3-5; Ephesians 2:11-13; Ro. 5:9, 10; Ephesians 1:7; Ro. 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:7; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 10:10, 14, 18-20; 9:15; Revelation 22:14, R.

V.; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Revelation 7:14, 15; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14, R. V.; Colossians 2:14, 15; Colossians 1:19, 20.) What two things have their fullest exhibition in the cross of Christ? (1 John 3:6; Acts 2:22, 23.) Of what is the death of Christ a guarantee? (Ro. 8:32.) What example does Christ's choice of death afford us? (Philippians 2:5-8.) CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. Jesus

(1). What He is:

A man, Matthew 27:46; the Son of God, Matthew 27:54; the Saviour, Luke 23:42, R. V.; a King, Luke 23:42, R. V.; an atoning sacrifice, Matthew 27:46; the light of the world, Matthew 27:45; Luke 23:44; the Lord of nature, Matthew 27:44, 51, 52.

(2). His character:

Wondrous love, pardoned the vile criminal who had railed upon Him, Luke 23:39; compare Matthew 27:44; bore the sins of men in their stead, Matthew 27:46; compare Galatians 3:13; perfect sinlessness, Luke 23:41; triumphant faith, Luke 23:46.

(3). What He suffered:

Hatred from man, Luke 23:39; railed at by a vile criminal, Luke 23:39; great spiritual amazement and bewilderment, Matthew 27:46; forsaken of God, Matt. 27:46; He bore all this for me, Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

(4). What He enjoyed:

Testimony from the centurion, Matthew 27:54; testimony from the robber, Luke 23:41; recognition as King, Luke 23:42; recognition as the Son of God, Matthew 27:54; faith of the dying robber, Luke 23:42.

(5). What He did:

Fulfilled prophecy, Matt. 27:46, 50; compare Isaiah 53:10; Psalm 22:1; Daniel 9:26; held fast to God in the hour of sore bewilderment, Matt. 27:46; laid down His life voluntarily, Matthew 27:50; pardoned and saved a vile but repentant sinner at the last hour, Luke 23:43; rewarded faith, Luke 23:42, 43; entered Paradise, Luke 23:43; took the penitent robber into Paradise with Him, Luke 23:43; opened the way into the holiest of all, Luke 23:45; Matthew 27:51; compare Hebrews 10:19, 20.

(6). What He will do:

Come again, Luke 23:42, R. V.; receive us unto Himself to be with Him, Luke 23:43.

2. Man

(1). His natural condition:

Heartless cruelty, Matthew 27:49; desperate wickedness, Luke 23:39; compare Jeremiah 17:9; hatred of God's Son, Luke 23:39; Matthew 27:50; compare Ro. 8:7.

(2). The way in which his salvation has been purchased:

By a substitute, Matt. 27:46; compare 1 John 2:2.

(3). The way in which he must appropriate salvation:

Confession, Luke 23:41; faith, Luke 23:41, 42.

3. The Penitent Robber

A desperate sinner, Luke 23:33, 41; eternal doom nearly sealed, Luke 23:33; he heard the Word, Luke 23:34, 42; saw and heard Jesus, Luke 23:33, 34, 43; recognized his own sinfulness, Luke 23:41; confessed his own sinfulness, Luke 23:41; believed in Jesus as Saviour and King, Luke 23:42, R. V., 43; called upon Jesus, Luke 23:42; confessed Christ openly before His enemies, Luke 23:41; was heard by Christ, Luke 23:43; was saved by Christ, Luke 23:43; preached Christ, Luke 23:41; entered Paradise side by side with the Son of God, Luke 23:43.