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Alex McFarland and Bert Harper discuss Good Friday on American Family Radio

Welcome to Exploring the Word,

>> Alex McFarland: the miracles of the cross, the ministry of the cross and the message of the cross all on one day. What I believe is the most important afternoon in world history. Good Friday. Welcome to Exploring the word. Alex McFarland here with Bert Harper. And you're listening to the American Family Radio Network. And today we're going to talk about Good Friday and Jesus's death on the cross. If you've got a Bible, turn to Matthew 27. And we're going to pull out some things that I think you'll find, interesting, informative, inspiring, and we hope that it turns your heart and your attention toward Jesus. And you know, Bert, it's been said that Good Friday was a, dark day in that, as Adrian Rogers said, on a skull shaped hill outside of Jerusalem, man murdered his maker. But that dark day was a great day, a good day, because it was the day in which our sin debt was paid. And so isn't it exciting that we can talk about these timeless truths in a world that needs them so desperately?

>> Bert Harper: You know, it is the victorious cross. Now that's what Jesus did to the cross. It was a place of crucifixion. It was a place of pain. It, was developed to make the person on the cross suffer and hurt beyond measure. Really beyond human possibility description. Yes. But Jesus himself gave the cross new meaning and it became a victorious cross. And that old song, victory in Jesus. And that's what Good Friday is about. And the battle was won in the garden of Gethsemane. It was secured on the cross and it was verified in the resurrection. And because of all of that, Alex, we have. Good Friday is a great day. That darkest day God turned into the day in which the light of the world could shine into our hearts. what a day it was.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, you and I, we have the privilege of doing this program on AFR the Exploring the Word. And I remember once you and I were working on a program for Easter and we were talking about the three most important hills in history. the mountain of Mount Sinai, the giving of God's law, Mount Calvary, where Christ died on the cross, and then, the Mount of Olives, where Jesus is going to return. And those were three very important mountains today.

Matthew 27 talks about the day Jesus paid our sin debt

We're going to talk about what I think is the most significant day in world history, the day that Jesus paid our sin debt. And let me read a little bit from Matthew 27. We're going to begin at verse 45, and, we'll comment. But Matthew 27 says, now, from the sixth hour until the ninth hour. This is three hours, there was darkness over the land. 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? Now, this is Psalm 22, verse one, written a thousand years prior. Some who stood there when they heard that said, this man is calling out for Elijah. Immediately, one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, a stick, and offered it to him to drink. The rest said, leave him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come and save him. Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

Bert List: Jesus says he is in control on the cross

Now, Bert, already in verses, 45 through 50, we've got some amazing, amazing action taking place here. And, not the least of which is that Jesus, I think, is proclaiming that. That what they're witnessing here on the cross, they pierced his hands and his feet, which Psalm 22 predicted a thousand years in advance. But his death on the cross, it was predicted. It was purposeful. And if people put their faith in him, it can be personal, too, can't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really can. And the other thing I would say here, he is nailed to the cross, but he is in control. Now, when they bound his hands, to the cross, nailed his feet to the cross, yet Jesus yielded up his spirit. he's in control of what he says. He's in control of what he does, and he is in control. And we'll talk more about this. But he laid down his life, you know, in the Book of John. I just amazed at the Book of John. All the Gospels, each one of them has their uniqueness. Whichever one I'm reading or studying, that's my favorite at that time. I think it just happens that way. But in the Book of John, more than any other, he would say, my hour is not yet come, My time is not yet. He would depart from them. But in chapters 11 and 12, he was of John, he says, the time is now, the hour has come. And so Jesus, you know, Sunday was Palm Sunday, as this is Good Friday. And Jesus purposefully came into Jerusalem, riding on that donkey with people crying out, hosanna. And yes, he did that purposely to fulfill Scripture in Zechariah. But he also did it to make those Pharisees, the Sanhedrin, all of those in control. He was forcing their hand, to see what he knew they would do. So I would love the song. Jesus is in control. And even on the cross, he is the One, and he's in control. And what you do with Christ, Yeah, it would be he is the one that can control your life.

>> Alex McFarland: When he yields up his spirit, he is in control.

>> Bert Harper: He is.

>> Alex McFarland: It's been said his life wasn't taken from him. He gave it up willingly. But let me read verses 51 and following. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. Salvation is not man reaching up to God. It was God reaching down for man. The veil is torn from the top to the bottom. Salvation is from heaven to Earth. But verse 51 again, and the earth quaked and the rocks were split and. And the graves were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming out of the graves after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. And by the way, if Jesus has changed your life, it should appear to many. It should be apparent. So when the Centurion. Verse 54, we go back to Calvary. And Bert, this is absolutely one of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. Matthew 27:54, when the Centurion and those that were with him, who, regarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that happened, they feared greatly, saying, truly, this was the Son of God. And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministered to him, were there looking on from afar, and were of those who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. You know, this is fascinating. This is riveting. This is ugly, but it's beautiful. I mean, really. And, one writer said, Jesus was crucified not in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves. And that's true. I mean, the significance of this. And Bert, think about it. On that hill, between two thieves, the righteous, holy Son of God, between two guilty people. you know, eternity intersected with time, holiness intersected with iniquity. The wrath and justice of God intersected with the love and mercy of God. And belief collided with unbelief and rejection, I would say on Mount Calvary that Friday afternoon, it was a microcosm of all of humanity. And between two sinners was the Son of God, one believed, one rejected. And that's all of humanity today. I mean, everyone Listening to this program, you either have Christ or you need Christ. And, I mean, the significance of what went On Good Friday 2000 years ago, I mean, you can tell we're just struggling to unpack it all. It's really beyond adequate explanation, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And I would say this, I just. Jesus was born in a stable outside of Jerusalem. The place where the wise men would come and say, where is he that is born King of the Jews? This is. This is the place he should be born. But he was born outside Jerusalem in a little town called Bethlehem. An, insignificant place until that time. And then he died on a cross outside of Jerusalem. Not inside the walls, but outside the walls. And so here it is. Jesus died outside. He is born outside in order to bring us inside, Alex. And, that's beautiful. That is the work of Jesus Christ. And you were talking about. We're going to talk about the miracles. And one of them is about the veil being torn from top to bottom, so that we could go from the bottom to the top. God just does things differently, doesn't he? I mean, everything, it seems like, is different than what man would do it if we were making our own religious way. God just does it his way, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's why, I mean, it really, really, really is the greatest story ever told. And I'm not trying to be like, curt or flippant here, but God is the greatest dramatist of all. I mean, this is the greatest story ever told. And this is reality. This is the true story.

Alex Martin: God hid some of the agony of Jesus on the cross

I want to talk about some of the miracles of the cross, and point number one, the miracles of the cross, and not the least of which is this, that the sky became dark. Now, talking about the beauty, the irony, the great story unfolding here, which is history. This is true. Now, think about this. God came into a world of darkness and the realm of humanity, and really the human heart itself is darkened by the fall. Jesus removed the darkness of sin, and killing the Savior was the darkest day in history. So the sky becoming dark. The backdrop is darkness because the circumstance is darkness. There's a lot of, darkness here, isn't there?

>> Bert Harper: There is. And with God, there's some hiddenness. And, yes, he has revealed himself to us, and, he has given himself. Jesus was born when the apostle said we would see God. And he said, do you not know you have seen me? And he is God in the flesh. But even in this darkness, we find some hiddenness of God where Jesus, who was becoming Sin for us. And yes, it's picturesque of the dark world, but I also think it's also picturesque of God not letting man see completely into the payment of Jesus Christ on the cross. it was hidden from them, because God, you know, I look at this as the agony that was, you know, Jesus was going through, was only. Some of it was only seen by God, Alex. You know, we understand some of it, we read about it, but only God the Father, as the Father of the Son, could appreciate the, the agony that His Son was bearing our sin. And it was kind of hidden, complete, not completely, but hidden some of it from us, so that man could not look and see all the agony that Christ was going through during this period of darkness. Now, that darkness is into a dark world. And praise the Lord, the light of the world came to the dark world that we might see the light and be drawn unto him. And, Alex, when he is lifted up, men will be drawn unto him on the cross or in our preaching, either way, won't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely.

You know, speaking of the darkness of God, the light of the gospel has shined

You know, speaking of the darkness of God and, you know, praise God, the light of the gospel has shined into this world. And you remember Jesus said, you know, fear not, little flock. It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And Jesus said, I have told you all things. And God has lovingly, clearly revealed so much about himself to us, our condition, the way of salvation. But you're right, there is a lot of mystery about God. I think about when Abraham went, into covenant with God and the Abrahamic covenant was given. I mean, there was darkness because we don't know everything about God, but we do know what we need to know, and that's how to be born again and have a relationship with Him.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. We're talking about the cross on this Good Friday, and, we're going to come back and talk about more of the miracles that took place on that afternoon when Jesus hung between heaven and earth.

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This is Good Friday, and we're looking at miracles of the cross

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>> Jeff Chamblee: This is exploring the word on American family Radio.

>> Bert Harper: Hearts and across Man. Anybody looking for a revival, lift up your voice and say, man, this is Good Friday. We hope you're having a great day. many of you may be m. Off of work, out of school. And, we're just hoping that it's a day that you can rejoice and a day that was dark. God made bright. And we're looking at that. And we're looking at the miracles of the cross. Alex, when you think of the miracles of the cross, we talked about the darkness, but there's other parts of it that's miraculous as well, isn't there?

Bert says he thanks God for exploring the Word on American Family Radio Network

>> Alex McFarland: Well, there are. And what an honor. And I just want to say how I praise God to be a part of exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. And Bert, to be with you every day and open up the scripture. I have learned so much sitting across the desk from you and broadcasting across the country from you sometimes when you and I are each traveling. But, we, we thank God for all that is a part of this ministry.

>> Bert Harper: We do.

>> Alex McFarland: And, and mostly for our subject matter.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. What unsearchable are his riches and those that are revealed in his word. you remember that scripture. It says, John writes, and he says, well, we've just recorded some of, what Jesus has done. If we had written and reported all that he had done, I suppose that all the books in the world, scrolls in the world, couldn't contain it. That's how big our God is.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, we're talking about the miracles from the cross. The sky became dark. That was a miracle. but then there's Jesus. Agonized cry from the cross. We read that at the beginning of the program. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Now, Bert, that alone has caused countless theologians, brilliant thinkers over the years to really tax their mind, to try to comprehend, all that was going on. Because think about this. God doesn't change. God is eternal. God is indivisible. God can't be cut up into parts. And Jesus incarnated himself, he enfleshed himself, took on a human body. And yet, as Second Corinthians 5:21, he who knew no sin was made to be sin for us. Jesus had no sin. He was a righteous, sinless Savior. We are sinners, and yet our sin was put on Jesus. And for a moment, and Bert, I don't begin to understand all that is implied by this, but somehow the Father turned from the Son. And for this one moment in history, the nature of God wasn't separated, and the eternal essence of God didn't die. A Muslim asked me, how could God die? God is eternal. However, because Jesus was fully human, but not fallen human and fully God in the human nature. And again, I don't. I don't understand it all, but the Father and the Son were separated, and what a horror that was. But it was a necessary part of our atonement, our payment, wasn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And on issues like this, Alex, we are the reporters, not the interpreters.

>> Alex McFarland: Well said.

>> Bert Harper: And it is that way. And it makes me think of the hymn, Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? You know, M. But there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me. But Jesus did bear that cross alone there on that Calvary hillside that day. Alex, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? I don't know everything it means, but I do know that that means what Jesus was doing was sufficient. He was the one and only. And, praise the Lord, if you've never received him into your life, what a day to be saved. Good Friday. And, one of these days, somebody will say, give your testimony of the day you were saved. And you hold up your hand and say, man, I was saved on a Good Friday, driving in my car, listening to the radio. And Christ came into my life as I reached out to him. And he came into my life and. And changed my life. Alex, that's what Jesus went to the cross for, so men could have a relationship with him, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, absolutely. And now listen to this. In that cry from the cross, what did it mean? Well, for one thing, he was fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, Psalm 22. for another thing, he was in indescribable pain. Yet Jesus was fully conscious of what he was doing. I mean, Jesus was in control. Another thing, sin separates man from God. Just as, Jesus allowed himself to be separated from the father. You know, First John 2. 2 says, Jesus is the propitiation for our sin. I mean, the turning away of wrath and the reconciliation. and by the way, first John 2. 2 says, not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Bert, I don't believe that the cross was limited. I think it was for the whole world. Jesus, death on the cross made salvation possible for anyone who would turn to him. Your repentance and faith makes salvation actual. But sin separates man from God. Just as, by becoming our sin bearer, Jesus allowed himself to be Separated from the Father for a moment. Now think about this. In that agonized cry, even the all powerful son of God felt agony in being separated from the Father for a moment. Think of the agony for sinners to be separated from the Father for all of eternity.

>> Bert Harper: It's more than we can comprehend, brother. And I don't think anybody could even fathom that when I hear those words, Alex mob, it's bigger than my mine can get around.

Bertrand Russell: Jesus yielded up his spirit on the cross

But it was agony for him. Can you think of what hell is? the rich man said, I'm tormented in this flame. The memory of his five brothers. The agonizing thought of what he could have had, but what he has. And so that is where we find Christ on the cross, paying that price for us. Amen. Hallelujah. As the, as the hymn says, hallelujah. What a savior, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: That's right. That's right. Another miracle of the cross is that Jesus yielded up his spirit. he expired. But Again, as John 10:18 says, no one takes my life away from me. He gave it up willingly. And to yield up his spirit, that's not something you and I can do. I mean, you can't just close your eyes and will the cessation of your involuntary bodily functions. But he suffered on the cross. The price was paid. He yielded up his spirit. And that was a miracle. And the veil of the temple was torn. We've talked about that from top to bottom. And you know, there was the outer court, the inner court, the Holy of Holies, behind which the high priest would take the sacrifice. And yet, you know, pious Jews in the temple area probably would have been horrified to see the Holy of Holies exposed and opened. But just as Jesus opened his arms on that cross. How beautifully picturesque. His arms are open. The way to the Holy of Holies is exposed, saying, whosoever will may come.

>> Bert Harper: Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden, and I'll give you rest. what happens there? It is, the word come, isn't it? God would say to Noah and his family, come inside the ark. He didn't say go into. He says, come unto me and I'll give you rest. That's a beautiful word, is come. And after we come, guess what he says? He says, go, but you can't go until you come. And, that's what he says, go into all the world and testify of me. But that's after you've come to him, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It is. And you know that, after the temple veil is torn, the Then there's the earthquake and the rocks split. And, you know, it says the rocks really cleaved and cracked apart and became dust in a way. Listen to this, Bert. Just like the resurrection is a little sliver of the great first resurrection, the dead in Christ will rise, and one day, this mortal will put on immortality. But in a way, the earthquaking and the rocks rending is a little bit of a foretaste of the tribulation.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: the Bible says that the planet groans and really recoils at the impact of the fall, the weight of sin. And, Second Peter talks about, one day the elements will melt with a fervent heat. Second Peter 3, 10. But just as Jesus was dying on the cross, the earth trembled, in the birth pangs. One day during the tribulation, the earth is going to reel to and frozen. Think about this planet like a drunken man rocking to and fro. When the judgment of God falls on Calvary, judgment fell on the Creator. During the tribulation, judgment will fully be unleashed on the creation.

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: And so there is a lot I'm, going to say on Good Friday, a lot of eschatology, a lot of end times. Because the ultimate eschatos is the ushering in of God's eternal kingdom. And, friend, you can be a part of it.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, you know, over in Psalm 118, this is the day the Lord hath made.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: I know a lot of people say every day is the day that the Lord has made. I understand that and recognize that.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Sure.

>> Bert Harper: But when you look at Psalm 118 and look at the verses before it, this is the day, that the builders, this is the stone that the builders rejected and everything. This is the day Calvary is the day, that day that every other day hinges upon before and after. It is the hinge day. That's the reason when we talked about it, it's the greatest day in all of history, is the day Jesus hung on that cross and became sin for us. Every other day, your life hinges on what you do with Christ. The people that came before him, their lives hinged on whether they trusted this God who would send his Son into the world to become sin for us. And so that day, the earthquake and the rock splitting, it is talking about the earth. In other words, the earth recognized what was happening. Would man recognize what was happening? And God gave great evidence of that day. With the veil being torn, the rocks being split, the darkness splitting that day from light to darkness, God gave evidence, physical evidence, of what was going on. That day, and the earth responded. But all of man did not, did they?

>> Alex McFarland: They didn't. They didn't. but another phenomenon of Matthew 27 is that some of the bodies came forth. It says, you know, some of the dead saints were resurrected and were seen. And the partial resurrection that accompanied Christ's death on the cross is really a little, kind of a sliver, a little snapshot of the ultimate resurrection day. We call it like a proto resurrection. Now, what does this mean? Two things. The power of death is broken. And also that believers, though having died, will live. First Corinthians 15:25. God defeats all of his enemies, puts them under his feet. Verse 26. The last enemy defeated is death. Now, let me throw this out there, Bert, and I want you to respond. Satan's trump card is death and hell. And, listen, think about this.

Many people follow the devil, uh, rather than turn to the Savior

Many people follow the devil, rather than turn to the Savior. Adrian Rogers once said that the fire of hell is the best paycheck Satan can offer his servants. And yet Satan's ultimate weapon, sin, death, judgment, hell, it's broken, it's defeated. There is a solution. You know, a year ago, there were some people, trapped in a cave in Thailand. And the whole world followed this and prayed. And there was some boys and their scout leaders that had gone on a hike. Floodwaters came in, they were trapped. It was hopeless. And for a long time they thought, you know, two dozen boys and campers were going to die. And even a diver who went in to try to somehow swim in drowned. And then the news around the world spread. We've found a solution. There's a way these kids are going to get rescued. And, you know, it looks like an insoluble dilemma. Man is sinful, yet God is holy, but yet the power of death is broken, because God had a solution.

>> Bert Harper: He did. Amen, Alex. And they got up, walked around as a testimony. And you, God has raised, if you've been saved, you've been born again. God has raised you up, who were dead in your sin, and you're alive in Christ and you're walking among people so that they can see you. God says, let them see your good works so they can glorify the Father who is in heaven. You're not saved by those works, but others might be saved because of your works. Alex. I've seen some people that really influenced my life. And when I look back on those people that influenced my life, Even as a 10, 11, a 12 year old, I was watching them and I saw Something different in them. And I wanted that. And it drew me to the Lord Jesus Christ. So these people that got up and walked around that day, yes, they had a testimony saying, look what God's done in my life. If we're living and alive and we've trusted God, we ought to be walking around saying, look what God's done for us, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, Another miracle of Calvary is the miracle of a converted human heart. Matthew 27:54. And I want to comment on that and then stay tuned. We're talking about the miracles, the cross, the ministries of the cross, and the message of the cross.

Bert says Jesus said those who believe in him will never die

But there was, this beautiful, thing that, the centurion. One, minute, he's the cause of Christ's death, another minute, he's one of the beneficiaries of Christ's death. And, you know, In John, chapter 11, verses 25, 26, Jesus had said, I'm the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live even though they die. Those who live and believe in me will never die. And I think the Lord being such a powerful communicator that he was. Maybe there was a pause, and then he says in verse 26 of John 11, Believest thou this? Do you believe it? And, Bert, to this day, the spirit of God is out there moving in the lives of people. And I think the Holy Spirit is asking us to consider, have we believed on this and been one of the beneficiaries of his death, resurrection, and everlasting life?

>> Bert Harper: You know, these miracles are amazing. But I believe that old song, the greatest miracle of all is when he saved my soul. Has your soul been saved? Have you invited Jesus Christ into your life, surrendered to him and said, lord, I'm a sinner. I'm lost. You died on the cross. You rose again. And today I'm trusting you. I repent. I turn to you and give you my life. I pray that you'll do that. We'll be back in just a moment.

Preborn Network aims to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn clinics

>> Bert Harper: Right now, the voices in our culture are, loud. But truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity, and hope.

>> Bert Harper: But I refuse to be silent.

>> Bert Harper: And I'm asking you to join me. At preborn Network clinics, a woman is welcomed with compassion and given a free ultrasound. She sees the life growing inside her, often for the first time. And in that sacred moment, fear gives way to clarity. And she's offered something the abortion industry will never provide. The hope of Jesus Christ. This April, our goal is to have 11,000 gospel conversations in PreBorn Network clinics, trusting God to bring the increase as we remain faithful to speak. You can help make that possible by sponsoring ultrasounds. Just $28 provides one ultrasound. $140 sponsors five ultrasounds for mothers in crisis. Every dollar helps save babies and share the good news of Jesus Christ. To donate, dial pound250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound250 baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host

>> Jeff Chamblee: exploring the word on American Family Radio. Connect with Alex and Bert on the Exploring the word Facebook page. Facebook.com exploring the word.

>> Bert Harper: Your words give us life that's never ending. Your words bring us love that never fails. Everything else will fade away, but what will remain? Oh, yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Nearly 600 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Ezekiel wrote, I will give them a new heart. I'll put a new spirit within them. I'll take out their stony heart, give them a living heart. They'll walk in my statutes, keep mine ordinances, and they'll be my people, and I will be their God. That's Ezekiel 11.

This week we talk about Good Friday and the ministries of the cross

And with that, we welcome you back to Exploring the Word. We're talking about Good Friday and the miracles of the cross, the ministries of the cross and the message of the cross. And, this is a pre recorded, edition of Exploring the Word, so we can't take your live phone calls. I will remind you though, that on afr.net you can listen to this show and other archive shows. You can email us word w o r dfr.net, we'd love to hear from you. But Bert, this Good Friday, which is such a rich, beautiful, thrilling topic, let's talk about the ministries of the Cross. Because, you know, really, Jesus whole life was ministry. And from the cross Jesus was ministering. He was dying for our sins, giving his life to give us life. But he showed compassion. He gave an assignment. He performed a saving work of one of the thieves. He interceded and he made a proclamation. And from the cross, in his final moments, he was ministering, wasn't he?

>> Bert Harper: Yes. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He deserved us, serving him. We deserved to serve him. But on that cross, he had not changed his ministry. This is what he came for, this is what he ministered for so that he could be that sacrifice. And he was the priest that offered the sacrifice of himself. And that is the amazing he on the cross. He's the priest, and he is the sacrifice, Alex. No one else. No one else. Only Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow. Wow. And you know what the Bible says that we're to prefer others above ourselves. And, you know, we're to think of others, let everyone look not only to his own interests, but care about others. So Jesus is on the cross and he shows a ministry of compassion. He says, mother, behold thy son. And he gives an assignment to John. He says, son, behold your mother. In other words, even as he's dying, he makes sure that Mary, his mother, is taken care of. That is just incredibly touching, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And then he's going to give the assignment to John and. And both of them needed this. Mary needed John, and John needed Mary. Isn't that the way God works? We think, that, you know, we're an answer for someone's prayer or something. And when we find out we needed that. That's happened to me as a pastor dozens of times, Alex, when I've gone to visit someone in the nursing home, in the hospital emergency room, and I've gone to minister to them. And when I got there, I found out I was the one who was ministered to with Mary and John. You see Jesus giving both of them where both of them benefit from this assignment.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

Jesus saves the penitent thief by interceding for the world

Well, and Jesus saves, the soul, from the cross. He commits an act of salvation by saving the penitent thief. You know, scholars used to talk about the. The impenitent, the unbelieving thief, but the penitent to turn. And he says, today you'll be with me in paradise. And Jesus intercedes for the world. You know, one of his ministries in heaven is to intercede, for us at the right hand of the Father. And he prays. And I think this is not only for those that are there immediately surrounding him, but I think for the human race. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And, Bert, at Christmas, very often times, in church plays, they'll sing Sweet Little Jesus Boy, which pretty, much always brings me to tears. Sweet little Jesus boy Made you be born in a manger Forgive us, Lord we didn't know who you was. And so, so much, of humanity really is clueless. You know, I kind of shudder when I talk with skeptics. Then they mock God and they speak blasphemously of Jesus. And I think, And I've told many an atheist, Bert, I said, look, brother, you don't know what you're saying, amen, Alex. Father, forgive them. They don't know what they do. And dear friends, we say this in love. You might be trifling with the holy things of God. You might be playing dice with your soul, your eternity. You think you know this guy? I'm going to deal with God later. No, listen, if you understand that you need Jesus, you turn to God right this minute. Do you know, interceding for the world. And remember in John 15:16, Jesus said that I'm going to go away, but I will send the Spirit by, you know, giving the Holy Spirit, who draws you to Christ, the Holy Spirit of God that convicts you, makes you aware of your need for salvation. Listen, my dear friends, giving you life, patiently waiting on you to repent, calling you to Jesus. Everything about God's interaction with you is merciful, really, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Now, here's what's amazing. Combine these two things. Today you will be with me in paradise. Said to the thief, one of the thieves, father, forgive them. They know not what they're doing. The world and the individual at the same time. Only God can do that. We usually have an individual, but Jesus on the cross had everyone but the one as well. And Alex, have you ever witnessed to someone and they're wanting to put it off, and they said this to me, well, I'm going to be like the thief on the cross. What they're saying, they're going to wait until the last minute and they're going to live their lives. They know how to be saved, and at the last minute, they're going to be saved. And I look at them and I've said, which thief, which thief are you going to be like? Because both of them saw the same thing, they heard the same thing, they experienced the same thing, but one believed and the other did not. Now, I don't know exactly. I know God does. I'm not. Man tries to figure all this out. And when we try to figure it out, we usually come up with a partial answer, but not the whole answer. But I do know there were two thieves on the cross. One believed, one did not. Now, when you say I'm going to be like the thief, I want to say, which one? You better be saved. When? Today. Today is the day of salvation.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. And, oh, my goodness. you know, Bert, I travel a lot, and I want to tell you I see lots and lots of car wrecks. And it seems like in recent years, the car wrecks are worse and worse. And, you know, I'm Telling you, friend, you could, you could leave this world in a sliver of a second. And I think the people that tell themselves that someday they might do some sort of deathbed confession. First of all, you don't know if the Holy Spirit is going to be drawing you. You don't know if you're going to be in a frame of mind where you can think about, God and salvation, but it is playing Russian roulette with your soul.

Jesus proclamation means sin debt in completion, total amount was paid

But, another ministry of the cross is Jesus proclamation. And Jesus preached a three word sermon in the moment of his death. It is finished.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: What does that mean? It means that, he had performed an act of mercy. It was a cry of victory and it was really a promise of assurance because it is finished. Means that your sin debt in completion, the total amount was paid. And if you've ever worried, you know, wow, did he really love me and am I really saved? Hey, remember, he promised. It is finished.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, I just want to share this real quickly. A story about something similar. I was a college student at Blue Mountain College and, didn't know exactly how I was going to pay for this semester. to make a long story short, I went to the office and I said, now, how much? How much do I owe? And they said, bert, you don't owe anything. And I said, what? I didn't pay enough down to finish this and I want my courses. How much? I thought I'd probably have to get a loan or whatever to make sure. And they said, no, Bert, it's been paid in full. And matter of fact, your next semester is already paid for. Someone has been sending money in to your account each month and they've paid for this semester and they've got next semester paid for. It was paid in full. I had no earthly idea what they did made it sufficient. What Jesus did on the cross made it sufficient. No one else could make that sufficiency. It would be like signing a check and you not having sufficient funds. It would that bank, that check would have bounced. But not in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross, the blood that he shed when he said it is finished, it was sufficient. And it's sufficient for you today if you'd come to Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: you know, scholars of old talked about the sufficiency of Christ's atonement. And isn't it good that that is is a present tense verb? Doesn't mean it might be finished. it could be. No, it is. Your sins are paid for My sin, not in part, but the Whole. It says the song, it is well with my soul.

Alex: Let's talk about the meaning of the cross

But let's talk about the meaning of the cross. What does this mean? You know, we live in a time when everybody wants everything to be true. And a lot of isms. And some people say, you know, God, maybe there is a God, but he doesn't act in the world. Or maybe, maybe the yin and the yang, God is good and evil. Or maybe there's no meaning in life. And a word that, young people use. I hear college students use the word nihilism, that, you know, life has no meaning. Just do whatever you want to do, have fun, party, because there is no meaning. And then fatalism, you know, the world is just going to be a, place of darkness, pain, there's no hope, hopelessness. And the evolutionists say there is no God. It's a naturalistic world. Some people are fool enough to be Satanists or humanists. They follow Satan or they follow themselves. Some people believe all things are true. They're relativist. Some people don't like the idea that there's only one way to God, and they're pluralists. And some people think, well, if there is a heaven, we all get in and I don't have to choose. And they're universalist. Bert. In Christ's death and resurrection, all of the isms are erased in favor of a person, the risen Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And if you're looking for an answer, you will not find the answer in what man produces. Each one of these were produced by man, inspired by Satan, because Satan is wanting anything but God. Anything but God. And he will use even people thinking good works is sufficient. You know, they look at it and say, look what I've done. If you're standing before God and he asks you, why should I let you into my heaven? And you start saying, well, I didn't cheat on my taxes. I never killed anyone. matter of fact, I helped a lot of people. I gave money, to the Red Cross, I gave money to my local. I went to church, at least on Easter. And, man, I did all these things that is insufficient. So no wonder in those words it is finished. He did away with all these isms. The best that man can produce, Alex, is insufficient. what does the Bible say about our good works? There is filthy rags and, and you don't. In the Hebrew language and the Greek language as well, those. It doesn't mean claws. It means rags that have been, soiled. Rags that are hideous and horrible. You wouldn't want to Touch it. That's the best man can produce. No wonder these isms are just coming up short of the glory of God.

>> Alex McFarland: Let me summarize here, because, the godless philosophy that has permeated so many lives is refuted. God has acted in human history. We do know that God is a loving, merciful God, not distant and cruel. God can be known personally and experience. There is an answer to the problems of human sin, pain, suffering, evil, violence, injustice. we know this physical world is not all there is. Naturalism is refuted. I mean, there is a spiritual realm. we know that malicious spirits, Satan and his demons and malicious people, the enemies of God and enemies of believers, will not prevail. We know there is an afterlife in which all evils and injustices will be resolved. Therefore, relativism is false. We know there is now one way to God through Jesus. And universalism is refuted. All of these things. I mean, we could probably do a whole show on this. But the meaning of the cross is that Jesus is the Savior. And also, it means, Bert, that eternity requires a decision. everyone listening to the show, look, you must choose. And the reality is that you will even to suspend judgment and say, well, you know what? I'll think about this later. And who can really know? Listen, to not decide is to have decided.

>> Bert Harper: It is.

>> Bert Harper: Yep.

>> Alex McFarland: And so choose Christ.

>> Bert Harper: You know, the Bible says we will give an account of those things. That is for believers. We're going to stand before him at the, judgment seat, and it's a place of rewards. But when he's withholding rewards that he wanted to give to us, we're, accountable for what, like you said, for what we didn't do as well, Alex. But for those that never, never, ever receive Christ as Savior, they're going to stand before God as well. They're going to give an account. If we're going to give an account that makes us accountable. And you say, well, I'm just going to ignore it. And, you know, it will go away. Some people have that kind of mentality. If I ignore it long enough, it will pass on by. This one will not pass by. Your accountability to what you've done with Jesus Christ as Savior will not pass by. You will give an account of what you've done with Christ.

Alex Martin: Louis Slotin laid down his life to save others

And so, Alex, there's a story, and I want to leave time for you to tell it, about the atomic, weapon and it being tested. this is one of the greatest stories I think that you'll hear about what it means about a person laying down his life for someone. Would you share that as quick as you can, One minute?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, yeah. Louis Slotin was a scientist during the Manhattan Project. And, as they were working on the bomb, you know, he would have to put two hemispheres of uranium together, but they would separate them. But one day the tool moved and he allowed himself to be exposed to radiation and he died. Rather than have the lab blow up and kill many others, he laid down his life to save others. Jesus did that too.

>> Bert Harper: That's what he did. And, he's done it for you. Good Friday. What a day. What a day for you to be born again, Alex. Hope you have a good Easter Sunday morning as well, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, folks, go to church Sunday and try to take somebody with you to bring them under the sound of the gospel.

>> Bert Harper: There's no one like Jesus. All those miracles. Still, the greatest miracle is when an individual is saved. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast do not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio. M.

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