The Most Confusing Fact in History

Matthew 27:38 – 44

Matthew 27:38–44 (NLT)

38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery.

40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus.

42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!

43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

INTRODUCTION:

A- The scene of Jesus’s crucifixion

1- It was a place of pain

2- It was a place of shame

(Isaiah 52:14)

Isaiah 52:14 (NLT)

14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.

(Isaiah 50:6)

Isaiah 50:6 (NLT)

6 I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

B- The challenge:

1- Remember who Jesus is:

a- Jesus is the creator of everything.

(Colossians 1:16-17)

Colossians 1:16–17 (NLT)

16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

b- Jesus is the one who chose to pay the price for our sins.

(John 10:17 – 18)

John 10:17–18 (NLT)

17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.

18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

(Luke 9:22)

Luke 9:22 (NLT)

22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

2- The bitter cup Jesus had to drink

(Matthew 26:39, 42, 44)

Matthew 26:39 (NLT)

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Matthew 26:42 (NLT)

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Matthew 26:44 (NLT)

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.

I- HE SAVED OTHERS. (MATTHEW 27:42)

Matthew 27:42 (NLT)

42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!

A- This was his purpose in coming.

(Matthew 1:20 – 21)

Matthew 1:20–21 (NLT)

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

(1 Timothy 1:15)

1 Timothy 1:15 (NLT)

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

B- Jesus saved others while he was on earth.

1- The man who was sick with palsy. (Matthew 9:2 – 7)

Matthew 9:2–7 (NLT)

2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”

3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”

4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?

5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?

6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

7 And the man jumped up and went home!

2- The blind man (Luke 18:42 – 43)

Luke 18:42–43 (NLT)

42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.”

43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

3- The little man named Zacchaeus. (Luke 19:9)

Luke 19:9 (NLT)

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

4- The thief on the cross. (Luke 23:41-44)

Luke 23:41–44 (NLT)

41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.

C- Jesus saved others after he arose from the dead.

1- He saved Saul of Tarsus. (Acts 9)

2- Jesus saved Mel Trotter.

D- The mission of Jesus is still to seek and save the lost.

(Luke 19:10)

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

1- He calls for all people to receive his salvation. (Revelation 22:17)

Revelation 22:17 (NLT)

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

II- JESUS COULD NOT SAVE HIMSELF. (Matthew 27:42).

Matthew 27:42 (NLT)

42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!

A- Jesus could not save himself because of his personal choice.

1- Jesus could have been divinely delivered by angels and escaped the cross, but chose to die for you and I. (Matthew 26:53)

Matthew 26:53 (NLT)

53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

B- Jesus could not save himself because of mankind’s bondage to sin.

1- Sin enslaves all people. (John 8:34)

John 8:34 (NLT)

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

2- Every human being has sinned. (Romans 3:23)

Romans 3:23 (NLT)

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

C- Jesus could not save himself because of sin’s great penalty.

1- The wages of sin create a debt that man cannot pay.

(Romans 6:23)

Romans 6:23 (NLT)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

D- Jesus could not save himself because there had to be a sinless substitute to pay the price of our sin.

1- Only through the shedding of blood of the sinless sacrifice could sends debt be paid. (Hebrews 9:14 – 15)

Hebrews 9:14–15 (NLT)

14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

E- Jesus could not save himself because of his love for you.

1- That love was demonstrated on Calvary’s cross. (Romans 5:8)

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

CONCLUSION/INVITATION:

Jesus saved others – and wants to save you. (2 Peter 3:9)

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Jesus willingly died on an open cross of shame for you. (John 10:17 – 18)

John 10:17–18 (NLT)

17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.

18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

He asks only that you…

Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3)

Luke 13:3 (NLT)

3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.

Confess him as Lord and ask for salvation (Romans 10:9 – 13)

Romans 10:9–13 (NLT)

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Publicly and openly proclaim him as Savior and Lord of your life (Mark 8:38).

Mark 8:38 (NLT)

38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”