The great liberation of Humanity Part II

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Matthew – “Why Jesus?”

The great liberation of Humanity Part II

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity Passover is the foundation…the RESURRECTION we celebrate at Easter is the fulfillment

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity Two different things are working against Jesus: Human strategies Satan himself

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29 – The great liberation of Humanity Passover = 1 of the 3 great Pilgrim Feasts Feast of Weeks/1st Fruits Feast of Booths/Tabernacles)

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29 – The great liberation of Humanity

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29 – The great liberation of Humanity Why Jesus died at Passover & what Passover means to Jesus: 1)God was becoming King in a new & present way 2)God was liberating humanity & moving us to freedom 3)God was initiating His Kingdom HERE on Earth 4)& He did it all by being the opposite of darkness…by losing on behalf of others But what does the meal itself say to us regarding Jesus’ death?

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death?

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death?

Triclinium table

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:15-16 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? Betray = literally means to expose someone

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:15-16 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? Jesus is defeating the dark powers that enslave humanity Our real enemy is Sin & death: The dark powers twist us into swapping God out for something else, mostly ourselves Thus we commit idolatry – we swap God for something else This produces sin – the chain that binds us from being truly free & happy Which produces death – just lifelessness & struggle & toil & bodies that break down over time & a world that works against us Jesus comes to defeat sin & death, to place them under our feet as a footstool of victory

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:15-16 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? Jesus is defeating the dark powers that enslave humanity

“It’s not me is it Master?”

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:15-16 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? 2)What had to happen to defeat these dark powers? Jesus had to deal with these dark powers & sin itself that produces death Jesus had to come & break this cycle that we cannot break

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:15-16 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? 2)What had to happen to defeat these dark powers?

Jesus is condemning sin, not us! We see these beautiful portraits of Jesus in His last hours: “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” Math. 26:36 “Put your sword back into its place…” Math. 26:52a “Don’t cry for Me, cry for yourselves…” Luke 23:28 “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:26-28 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? 2)What had to happen to defeat these dark powers? I Cor. 11:24a and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is for you...”

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:26-28 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? 2)What had to happen to defeat these dark powers? Forgiveness of sins would be the means by which the ultimate Passover would take place: The liberation of humanity for life & joy & purpose & belonging Releasing people from their sins & from the effects of those sins would be His means whereby the victory is won

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 1)What did Jesus defeat in His death? 2)What had to happen to defeat these dark powers? 3)How does the forgiveness of sins come about? In what since does Jesus death effect forgiveness of sins? a)Thru suffering One person would suffer on behalf of humanity, instead of humanity, so that all might be freed

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 3)How does the forgiveness of sins come about? a) Thru suffering Is. 52:13 Behold, My servant shall act wisely; He shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. [14] As many were astonished at you—His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and His form beyond that of the children of mankind. 53:1 And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? [2] For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. [3] He was despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. [4] Surely He has borne our grief’s and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 3)How does the forgiveness of sins come about? a) Thru suffering b) He would accomplish it by being the opposite of sin & darkness

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 3)How does the forgiveness of sins come about? a) Thru suffering b) He would accomplish it by being the opposite of sin & darkness What was Jesus helping us understand with the cup & the bread? A rather simple but fathomless image II Cor. 5:19a “God was reconciling the world to Himself in the Messiah…”

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 3)How does the forgiveness of sins come about? a) Thru suffering b) He would accomplish it by being the opposite of sin & darkness What was Jesus helping us understand with the cup & the bread? A rather simple but fathomless image II Cor. 5:19a “God was reconciling the world to Himself in the Messiah…” Acts 20:28b “…the church which He obtained with His own blood” Forgiveness & liberation happened because the “arm of YHWH was “wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities” Is. 55:3

Matthew – “Why Jesus?” Matthew 26:14-29 – The great liberation of Humanity 3)How does the forgiveness of sins come about? a) Thru suffering b) He would accomplish it by being the opposite of sin & darkness What was Jesus helping us understand with the cup & the bread? II Cor. 5:19a “God was reconciling the world to Himself in the Messiah…” Acts 20:28b “…the church which He obtained with His own blood” Is. 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”