Sacrifice For All: October 26, 2025
A Sacrifice for the World: Reflecting on Luke 23:44-49
Pastor Michael recently took us back in time, tracing a powerful line from Israel’s rescue from Egypt to the cross of Jesus Christ in Luke 23:44-49. It was a reminder that Jesus's death wasn't a tragic accident—it was the climactic, perfect fulfillment of God’s plan!
From Passover Lamb to the Perfect Sacrifice
The sermon drew a profound connection between the original Passover in Exodus and Jesus's death. Just as the blood of a lamb saved the firstborn of Israel from God’s judgment, Jesus—the ultimate Lamb of God—shed his blood for the whole world.
The timing is significant:
Darkness at Noon: From noon until 3 PM, darkness covered the land. This wasn't just gloom; it was a cosmic sign, a pre-natural event signaling the immense, divine significance of what was happening.
The Hour of Sacrifice: Around 3 PM, as Jesus breathed his last, it was the very time people in Jerusalem were slaying the lambs for the Passover sacrifice. Jesus's life was poured out as the true, final sacrifice for our sins.
An Open Invitation: The Ripped Curtain
Pastor Michael highlighted one of the most powerful details: the curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle (v. 45). This curtain separated the Holiest of Holies—God's direct presence—from the people. Its tearing, from top to bottom, showed that Jesus’s sacrifice immediately opened a new way for all people to have direct access to God. It was a sign that this salvation was for the whole world, not just a select group.
Transformed by the Cross
The immediate fruit of Jesus’s death is transformation:
The Centurion’s Confession: The Roman soldier supervising the execution, a man whose job was to kill, saw the supernatural events and was transformed! He glorified God, declaring, "This man really was righteous" (v. 47).
Repentance and Mourning: The crowds who had come to watch the "spectacle" went home striking their breasts in mourning and conviction. They realized something terrible had happened, signaling a brokenness and a dawning sense of guilt.
The Heart of the Gospel
The message is clear: Jesus’s brutal, sacrificial death gives you life, hope, and freedom. As the Pastor reminded us, in quoting John 3:16, God's purpose was not to condemn, but to save the world through him.
We are encouraged to keep this moment—the death and resurrection of Jesus—as the absolute center of our faith and lives, remembering that our relationship with God is secure, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done for us. What an incredible truth to anchor our week in!
