APPLY: I. Personal Application 1. Where do you most want to be “seen by others” in the way you live your Christian life? 2. Which reward is more attractive to you: the one given by others or the one given by God?
II. Gospel-turn the passage to sense God’s love: In the garden of Gethsemane, when no one was looking, Jesus began to walk into the gates of hell for you and me. Not for the fame of the crowds, or to get what he loved, but for love. Love of you and love of the Father. Though no one knew what it would cost him to bring you back…he knew. The flames licked his soul that night. His right hand knew what the rest of his body was about to endure. Something much worse than momentary physical pain. No, Jesus was about to meet the greatest need of those who deserve God’s judgment. He felt the flames of hell’s terrible wrath, the complete and utter absence of God. And yet still he chose to plunge himself into God’s judgment, the one we deserve, so that you could be given the eternal life only he deserves. And now you are freed! Free through the gift of Jesus. Free to give to those who are needy because he first gave to you your most precious need! The need to be reconciled to God!