A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

Episode Summary: S4: Week 30 Day 3: Annotating Matthew 27:45-50
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host: Alexa and Katie, The Daily Grace Co.

Introduction to the Study

In this episode of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace, hosts Alexa and Katie delve into Matthew 27:45-50, exploring the profound moment of Jesus' crucifixion. This session is part of Season 4, which follows the "Christ in All of Scripture" reading plan, aiming to uncover how every part of the Bible points to Jesus.

Reading and Contextualizing the Passage

Katie begins by reading Matthew 27:45-50:

"From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' That is, 'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?' When some of those standing there heard this, they said, 'He's calling for Elijah.' Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge and filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick and offered him a drink. But the rest said, 'Let's see if Elijah comes to save him.' But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit."
— Katie [00:56]

Annotation Insights: Highlighting Christ’s Actions

Alexa discusses her annotation process, focusing on identifying elements in the passage that highlight Jesus' role and attributes:

"I highlighted Jesus cried out with a loud voice in verse 46 and but Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit in verse 50. Both of those verses describe what happened on the cross. Jesus cries out to God in prayer and also cries out in pain, only ultimately succumbing to death."
— Alexa [01:34]

Key Takeaways:

• Dual Cries: Jesus’ outcry represents both a deep prayer to God and an expression of intense suffering.
• Humanity and Divinity: Demonstrates Jesus' human experience of pain and His divine mission to sacrifice Himself.

Reflection on Mirroring Christ in Our Lives

Katie connects Jesus’ actions to the broader study of Psalm 22, highlighting the comfort found in Jesus’ sincere expressions of distress:

"It just reminds me of David's posture, you know, in Psalm 22:1 through 2 that we have been studying... it's helpful to know that crying out to God in the midst of our pain is a way that we mirror our lives after Christ."
— Katie [02:18]

Key Insights:

• Imitation of Christ: Encourages believers to emulate Jesus’ example by turning to God in times of suffering.
• Biblical Continuity: Demonstrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and expressions in the New Testament narrative.

Exploring the Attributes of God

Alexa delves deeper into the passage to uncover the attributes of God reflected through the events:

"Verse 43 tells us that from noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land... this darkness is actually representing the judgment Jesus is taking on for our sin. That judgment points us to both God's attributes of justice and mercy. Because it's because Jesus took on that judgment that sin is punished and we are forgiven for our sin."
— Alexa [02:45]

Attributes Highlighted:

• Justice: God’s righteous judgment against sin, which necessitated Jesus' sacrifice.
• Mercy: Through Jesus’ willingness to endure judgment, humanity is offered forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Connecting Scripture and Encouraging Faith

Katie concludes by reinforcing the interconnectedness of Scripture and the comprehensive portrayal of God through Jesus:

"Well, I love that connection. It just goes to show, you know, the entirety of Scripture teaches us about who God is."
— Katie [03:27]

Encouragement for Listeners:

• Comprehensive Study: Emphasizes the importance of studying both Old and New Testament passages to fully understand God's nature and His plans.
• Ongoing Journey: Invites listeners to continue exploring these connections throughout the series to deepen their knowledge and love for Jesus.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The episode wraps up with a reminder to engage with further studies, journals, and resources available at thedailygraceco.com, and an invitation to join the next session for continued exploration of Scripture.

Notable Quotes:

• "But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit." — Katie [00:56]
• "Jesus cries out to God in prayer and also cries out in pain, only ultimately succumbing to death." — Alexa [01:34]
• "Crying out to God in the midst of our pain is a way that we mirror our lives after Christ." — Katie [02:18]
• "That judgment points us to both God's attributes of justice and mercy." — Alexa [02:45]
• "The entirety of Scripture teaches us about who God is." — Katie [03:27]

This episode provides a thoughtful examination of Matthew 27:45-50, bridging Old Testament prophecy with New Testament fulfillment, and highlighting the profound attributes of God manifested through Jesus' crucifixion. Whether you're following the "Christ in All of Scripture" plan or exploring the depths of biblical connections for the first time, this discussion offers valuable insights to enhance your understanding and faith.