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GETTING STARTED
Loading the player...The name Jesus means ‘God to the rescue’. His name tells us exactly what he came to earth to do. Jesus didn’t come to earth to give us opinions or advise, he came to give his life.
If Jesus was God on Earth, then what on Earth was God doing?
- Mark 10:45 (ERV)
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PIT STOP
If God came to earth as a human being, what kind of things would you expect him to do?
Miraculous stuff of course, like showing great power over the force of nature. Things like, healing sick people, raising the dead – the kind of things Jesus did.
Why did Jesus have to die in order to rescue sinners?
The Bible says that the punishment for sin is death. Death is the punishment which leads to hell and separation from God forever. Either Jesus pays for our sin or we get to pay for our own sin. Our rescue was dependant on the death of Jesus.
How does it make you feel knowing that God loves sinners enough to die for them?
Next stepGod’s love for us is more than words, he doesn’t just say “I love you”, he proves just how much he loves us by his actions.
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BACK ON TRACK
Loading the player...The way to God is now open, the lights are on green! Jesus paid the price and God the Father accepted the payment.
Jesus was God on a mission, but how can we be sure his mission succeeded?
- John 5:24 (NIV)
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FINDING DIRECTION
Some strange things happened on the day that Jesus died. A three hour darkness started at midday and then the curtain in the temple ripped in half from top to bottom without anyone touching it; weird or what?
Mark Chapter 15 verse 33-39
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he’s calling Elijah."
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The spooky, midday darkness, was not an eclipse because it happened at the wrong time of the year and lasted for three hours. If you had been there that day, how do you think you would have reacted?
Scared? Freaked out? You would have been thinking ‘this is not normal’. Something significant, something supernatural was happening.
Why do you think God sent this supernatural darkness?
The Bible records another time in history when God sent a supernatural darkness on the earth. It happened in Egypt and it was just before God saved the Jews from slavery there. Some therefore say that it was a sign from God that he was about to save his people again. Others say it was to hide Jesus from view and some say it was a show of God’s anger.
How would you answer the question Jesus asks in verse 34?
God the Father had to forsake (abandon or turn away from) Jesus because at this point in the story the sins of the world had been put on Jesus. God hates sin. God will punish sin. God the Father abandoned Jesus so that he would never have to abandon us.
Why do you think the curtain was torn from top to bottom and why do you think it happened at the moment Jesus died?
Top to bottom shows us that it was from heaven to earth; God did this, not a human being. The timing was to show that it was Jesus’ death that makes a way into God’s presence possible.
How does the death of Jesus make it possible for sinners to be rescued?
Jesus died as a sacrifice or a substitute; he died in the place of the guilty. It was like a huge swap. Jesus takes our sin and punishment. We take God’s forgiveness and freedom.
The army officer believed that Jesus was someone very special – ‘the Son of God’ (v39). What do you now believe about Jesus?
The death of Jesus can only make a lasting difference to your life if you have a personal faith (belief) in Jesus. You need to believe not only who Jesus is (God and saviour) but believe that what he did on the cross was for you.
If God tore the curtain to show us that the way to him is now open, what is there to stop you getting right with God?
Next stepThere is nothing to stop you from coming to God to have your sins forgiven. Jesus wants all sinners to ask him for forgiveness. He wants them all to receive a new start, a different direction and a changed life. The way is open for you.
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ARE WE THERE YET?
Loading the player...Surprisingly the amazing rescue that Jesus offers the world is rejected by many, but what about you? What will you say to Jesus as he offers you rescue from your sin right now?
If Jesus gift wrapped forgiveness and eternal life and held it out to you as a free gift would you take it?
- It's costly
- It's free
- It's for you