Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:11-61, Luke 23:27-49
The cross itself was a stigma. It was the most
horrible form of death ever devised. A reference to the cross
execution was not mentioned in polite circles.
I. THE ROAD TO THE CROSS. –
The "Via Dolorosa", the "Way of Sorrow"
The Road to Execution
- The road that criminals walked who had committed such awful
crime that they were sentenced to die
- It was a way of sorrow for the criminal.
- It was a way of sorrow for his loved ones.
The Whole Road From Heaven’s Glory to Golgotha’s
Gore Was the Via Dolorosa to Jesus.
"God had one Son without sin but none without
sorrow." "He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows…"
Isaiah 53:3 He knew that at journey’s end was the cross.
John 1:29; John 3:14.
When He worked in the carpenter’s shop,
The wood
reminded Him of the Cross and
The nails reminded Him of the
spikes.
When Satan tempted him He knew He had to remain
sinless to be a fit sacrifice on the cross.
When He performed miracles He knew that when
people would later reflect on them, they would have evidence to know
it was the Christ Who died on the Cross.
When the crowds followed Him because it was
popular He knew that many would forsake Him because it would become
unpopular at the Cross.
When He forgave sins He knew He could do this
only because He would die for sins on the cross.
II. THE PLACE OF THE CROSS.
In Hebrew the word "Golgotha" means "the place of
the skull." In Latin it is "Calvary".
Outside the Gate – Hebrews 13:12.
Not because He was unfit for the city, but
because the city was unfit for His sacrifice.
The Northern Portion of Mount Moriah.
The Mount where Abraham went to offer Isaac.
Genesis 22:2
The Mount where sacrifices were offered at
Solomon’s Temple. 2nd Chronicles 3:1
Discovered by a British soldier named Gordon, who
was not satisfied with Helena’s Calvary. As he walked guard duty
above the Damascus Gate his eyes were attracted to a formation on
the northern portion of Mount Moriah that bore the shape of the
skull. Later research revealed that just beyond the brow on the far
side was an ancient garden owned by a wealthy person and in that
garden was a tomb. It had been prepared for a family but was used
for the burial of one person, --and that hastily. That body was
gone.
A Place of Punishment.
A place of human punishment for sin. It also
became a place of divine punishment for sin. ith all its repulsiveness it became an altar
where the punishment of the sins of the world was carried out
and the justice of God was satisfied.
III. THE CROWDS ABOUT THE CROSS
Religious Leaders Who Condemned Him
Outwardly they were religious and moral. Their confrontation with Jesus Christ.
Especially Matthew 23.
Duped and Deceived People
They followed Jesus when it was popular. Many had perhaps cried four days earlier, "Hosanna To The Son of
David." They cried for His blood when that became
popular.
Curious Onlookers
They just wanted to see all the excitement. They didn’t want to get involved. Matthew 12:30.
Soldiers Who Crucified Him
Heartless, cruel, and insensitive to suffering. Their one concern – who would get the garment off
his back.
Many today are just as insensitive to their need
of salvation. Their only concern is material possessions and
pleasures.
His Friends
His mother,
John the Disciple,
Mary Magdalene.
John 19:25-27
Although no gospel tells us Peter was also there.
1st Peter 5:1.
Secret Believers
Joseph of Arimathaea –"A disciple, but
secretly, for fear of the Jews" John 19:38.
He was a member of the Sanhedrin
and "had not consented to the counsel and deed of them" – Luke
23:51
Nicodemus
Who, up until this time, was much the same as
Joseph.
IV. THE ACCUSATION ABOVE THE CROSS
"This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews"
Threefold Language
Hebrew – the language of the scriptures.
Latin – the language of the law.
Greek – the language of the common man.
The Purpose
From man’s standpoint – to identify the crime
for which He was being punished.
From God’s standpoint – to identify Jesus as
to Who He actually was.
His Messiah-ship
The Hope of the World
V. THE SUPERNATURAL EVENTS ACCOMPANYING THE
CROSS
Supernatural Darkness – Luke 23:45
"And the sun was darkened…"
This could not be an eclipse because
it was Passover which fell on the full of the moon.
Was it the supernatural presence of
demonic hordes?
Did God in mercy veil the sun while His Son suffered before men?
Supernatural Rending of the Temple Veil
The Holy of Holies was previously entered only
once each year by the High Priest with the Blood of Atonement.
With the shedding of Jesus’ blood the way into
God’s Holy Place is open to all who will appropriate Christ’s
blood and come there by faith.
VI. THE SINNERS DIVIDED BY THE CROSS
"…there were two thieves crucified with him, one
on the right hand, and another on the left." Matthew 27:38
Without Jesus They Were United
In crime, in condemnation and consequence.
Jesus Divided Them
One continued to mock, the other began to
pray
One continued to only be interested in
physical salvation; the other became interested only in spiritual salvation.
One died in sin and went to perdition; the other
died out of sin and enjoyed salvation.
VII. THE MAN UPON THE CROSS
"And they crucified him…" Matthew 27:35a
This is the God/Man
Fully God –
Fully Man.
Here Is The Completeness of His Obedience And the
Depth of His
Humiliation. Philippians 2:5-8
Here Is The Awfulness of Sin
God’s justice pours out the condemnation wrath of
the law upon His
own Son when He became sin for us. Romans 8:32a
Here Is The Justice of God Satisfied
Every penalty of the law for every sin ever
committed was fully carried out here.
Here Is The Zenith of Love
The greatest love of man is to die for his
friends, but Jesus died for His enemies.
Here Is The Basis of Salvation. Hebrews 9:22
"…and without shedding of blood is no remission"
The old song is true…
"There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you.
Though millions have come,
There's still room for one.
Yes, there's room at the cross for you."
"For Christ also suffered
once for sins, the
just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…" 1st
Peter 3:18
Copyright © 2002 Thomas E Berry
All Scripture quoted from NKJV unless otherwise noted
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