Road to the Cross

Do not take a deacon benevolent fund put the baskets in the back (38 events)

The harmony of the events of Jesus death.

I did something I really wanted to do. I have taken three weeks and I am going to proceed through the four gospels from the night Jesus was betrayed to resurrection morning.

Two weeks ago I gave you homework I was looking for a response. I wanted you to write down every detail that you could remember concerning the death of Jesus Christ. I believe that this is the most important thing you will ever learn. What happened to Jesus during that second part of that week.

It’s like this when I was a child WW 2 facinated me. Every reading assignment I had was on WW2 I think I wrote three papers in school on the battle of Midway. I loved studying about Iwo Jima and Normandy. It fascinated me, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t compare to the gospel story. For all of eternity the events of this week will be the eternal legend the greatest story ever told this is important. The details are fascinating here we go.

I will tell you this I am going to leave out a lot of Jesus teaching from the night in which he was betrayed because I have covered that. My purpose here is to give a harmony of the gospel events that lead us to the cross. That is it I am going to tell you the story of the night, the cross, the empty tomb!

Jesus prepares for Passover.

Luke 22:7–13 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

Jesus was the passover lamb. That was his mission that is why He came to this world. Do you remember the Christmas Story Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem and there is no room for them in the inn. Do you realize that word inn is the same word as guest room in this passage. When He came into this world there was no room for him in the guest room, but here as he leaves the guest room is prepared for him and the question I have for you today is is your heart prepared for the Passover meal with him. We aren’t having a passover meal, we don’t have to. No lamb’s died today because Jesus is our Passover lamb but the communion service is a memorial of what he did on the cross. There are two types of people here. There are people with no room for Jesus in the guest room of their hearts while their are some of you have room prepared for the LORD fully furnished. When I have company over and I know that they are coming. I pick up I help pick the toys off the ground I vaccuum the floor and make sure the trash has been taken out. The LORD is com ing to your hearts today examine your heart and see if you are ready to spend time with the Savior

Jesus eagerly wanted to celebrate Passover.

Luke 22:14–16 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Are you eager to celebrate communion. I hope so. Jesus had a deep desire to celebrate the Passover. He came to earth to do this job and he was going to do it for you and me. I hope you don’t take communion lightly. I try not to make communion to ritualistic, mundain, ho hum because it isn’t that it shouldn’t be routine. I just picture the Passover from Exodus and connect it right here to Jesus dying on the cross and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible and that makes this the most important thing that I do each month to remember.

Jesus predicts Judas betrayal.

John 13:21–30 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out…

God knew all about the heart of Judas.

Psalm 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus knows your heart today. He knows what is going on in your heart and in your life. He knows that in this church their are some Judas’ who have been pretending for a long time. They sit here but their heart isn’t in it. If Jesus were here today and he took this bread would he hand it to you is your heart genuine.

Jesus predicts that Peter would deny Him.

Mark 14:27–31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’ “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.

Do you know that some of Jesus most intense teaching was about denying Him. He said that if you deny Him before men, He will deny you before the Father. I believe that what happened that night in that guest room was a Divine battle. I don’t think the disciples realized what was happening with Judas and Jesus. I wonder if some of them thought Peter would be the one to deny Christ. We have the blessing of 20 20 vision looking at this moment from the past. But here these men were. Jesus and the devil doing battle on a spiritual plane that we can’t understand with Judas heart in the middle they didn’t understand. Then Jesus tells Peter He will deny Him that was paramount to treason that wouid lead to eternal damnation. BUT GOD KNOWS THE HEART. God is a God of grace He is eager to forgive pardoning thousands.

Communion: The Bread

Luke 22:17–19 “Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.””

Remember this entire thing started with Jesus on the day of unleavened bread when the passover lamb was to be killed. Jesus is the unleavened bread and the passover lamb. He is the spotless sinless sacrifice of God that would die in the place of us the slave to sin. If you don’t see the importance of this. I can’t help you only the Holy Spirit can.

Communion: The Cup

Luke 22:20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”

Jesus blood paid the price for your sin and mine when he laid down his life on Calvary, at the cross where the burden of my heart rolled away.

Jesus prays in the garden.

Matthew 26:36–38 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

Jesus prays that the cup (his mission) be pass from Him.

Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Jesus wasn’t scared if anything. This is how serious this was. This is worse than waiting in the dentist office to get a filling or to be sentanced to death for a crime you didn’t commit. Jesus would pay the price for your sin and mine so we could escape hellfire.

The disciples were sleeping instead of praying.

Matthew 26:40–41 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Think of all the times Jesus spoke of sleeping, the thief coming be watching not sleeping. the bride groom is coming and the virgins were sleeping. Here at this pivitol moment the disciples were sleeping. I get it we are hard on the disciples even Jesus was. But He was doing this alone. We can not fathom the battle that was being waged between God and the Devil. Sin and the Savior, this was one intense night. They couldn’t handle it.

Jesus: “may Your will be done!”

Matthew 26:42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

The Savior was sweating drops of blood.

Luke 22:44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Wake up! the betrayer is coming.

Matthew 26:43–46 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Judas betrays Jesus.

John 18:2–3 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

The Kiss of Betrayal

Luke 22:47–48 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

The Great Theophany!

John 18:4–9 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

Jesus was in control the entire time, don’t be fooled. no one did this to Jesus He laid down his life willingly.

Peter cuts off Malchus’ ear.

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

I believe that this is important deatails that will be important later in the story. The fact that Peter cut off the dear and the fact that it was Malchus the high priest’s servant this is important to the narative.

Jesus heals Malchus’ ear.

Luke 22:51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

The mr potatoe head miracle of course dr Luke gives us this detail.

He could have called 12,000 angels.

Matthew 26:52–54 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”

Jesus is deserted.

Mark 14:50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.

Even though the disciples are present on the outskirts make no mistake Jesus went to the cross alone.

John Mark runs away in fear.

Mark 14:51–52 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

This isn’t really important except for the fact that some scholars think that this is a personal account written by the young Mark himself. His claim to fame in the story of the cross.

3 Unlawful Religious Trials

which took place at night and in secret.

1 Jesus before Annas.

John 18:13–14 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

That is one of my favorite quotes it is expedient for one man should for the people and the entire nation not persish. One line to some up what Christ did on the cross.

Jesus refuses to answer in secret.

John 18:19–20 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.”

Jesus already made His claims to be God on a number of occasions in the light in front of everyone with an audience He made His legal defences. It is the devil who works in the shadows in the dark.

Jesus beaten for the truth.

John 18:22–23 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

2 Jesus before Caiaphas

John 18:24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

There was no evidence.

Matthew 26:59–61 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ 

The false evidence becomes the best evidence destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. We have an ironic God let me tell you

Jesus was silent before Caiaphas.

Matthew 26:62–63 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

Under oath, Jesus claims to be the Son of God.

Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Caiaphas proclaims Jesus guilty of blasphemy.

Matthew 26:65–68 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

John gains access to Jesus unlawful trial.

John 18:15–16 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

Peter and John are split up because John knew the high priest and this is important to the story.

Peter is alone and denies Christ for the first time.

John 18:17–18 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

Peter again denies Christ.

John 18:25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”

At this point I wonder what was going on in Peter’s head. Did he say to himself. Peter jesus said you would deny him why did you deny him I won’t do it again, I won’t do it again. I promise I have done it twice I will not do it a third time.

Peter denies Christ for the third time.

John 18:26–27 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

It was a realtive of Malchus that called out Peter.

Christ’s eye catches Peter.

Luke 22:59–62 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

The death of Judas

Matthew 27:3–10 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

The heart of Peter and the heart of Judas on display. One is a man who it would have been better if he had never been born the other was a man who helped Christ build the church. Both men play a prominant role in this night at each pivitol moment they are together. At the supper, at the betrayal and at the end of the trial. I don’t think that there was a large gap between Judas and Peter as men, but one had real genuine faith. The other was a fraud. Are you a Judas or a Peter. What is in your heart. And do you want to know who knew the hearts of men this entire story. It was Jesus. He knew these men’s heart.

3 Jesus before the Sanhedrin.

Mark 15:1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

This is a dark way to end a sermon. Do you want to hear some bad news. Next week will be darker but that is the point. At the darkest moment in all of human history Christ rose from the dead. The greatest story ever told.