The Passersby

Intro:

We are getting closer and closer to Easter, and the time spent with Christ on the cross in the last 4 weeks has been powerful and humbling. I don’t know about you, but this year, since taking time to look through Jesus eyes on the cross, my heart has been more broken and more hopeful than ever before. Truly the sweet and the sour mixed together in every moment.

Last week, I challenged you to meet Christ in Gathsemene when you face trials and challenges. I challenged you to meet him in prayer, before charging into battle. I hope you rose up to that challenge.

Let’s meet Jesus again on his observation post. As he sees those people walking past his crucifixion. Let’s imagine his reflection on all of those people watching as he became the spectacle of Jerusalem.

Teach:

Jesus, the spectacle of Jerusalems streets.

The events of the passover celebration have created a MASSIVE crowd of people in the Holy City. Jesus first ride in on a donkey, HAILED as KING. Now he is beaten and then herded down the street as a criminal.

He has all eyes on him, but it’s the scorn and hate of an entire city.

The next day the actual passover observation begins, no doubt what is driving them to hurry his crucifixion. To hasten his death to be done with it before the passover rules take place.

People pushing, rivers of people, street hawkers selling their wares. Purveyors of livestock for sacrifices. Doves, sheep, goats, cattle.

Visitors, not used to the sights and sounds of the City, are walking in and filling the streets. Seeing this public torturing of Christ must be jarring.

Cracked roads that trip you when you walk.

The weight of the cross.

Jesus is moved by the crowd, bumped and prodded by guards.

He trips on the uneven streets. The shifting of the splintered wood across his open wounds, skin hanging from his body in places burns with pain. Every jostle, every fall… unrelenting pain.

Christs friends, sympathizers, and enemies.

We will address Christ’s friends and enemies next week.

But what of those on the fence? Not yet friends, and not yet enemies?

Jesus sympathizers

On the fence about Jesus.

Inquisitive

Surely there must be a reason why they are torturing this man? Didn't we just see him riding in on a parade praising him?

What could have happened to change this much in so few days?

Should I help? Should I pity him? What’s my role? Do I even need to have one?

Scoffers

That guy must deserve it. He looks like a deadbeat.

They sure beat the crap out of him! Better him than me.

What an idiot! Why would you die for nothing!

Indifferent

They didn't care either way. Distracted by todays mission.

Their world is so crazy already, why add more stress and confusion to it.

To them this moment seemed small, and inconsequential in the midst of the chaos of their life.

This moment will NOT seem small when Christ walks the streets of Jerusalem again. Every knee will bow.

We see a moment here, where a man (one we don’t know his disposition to Christ) is asked to carry the cross. We meet Simon the Cyrenian.

Simon the Cyrenian

The one who carries Christs cross.

He comes along side and gives Jesus a moment of reprieve.

The guards enjoy causing pain to criminals, but they also don’t want to have to drag Jesus. They give him a little help so he can get up that hill on his own accord.

Imagine Mary, Christs mother, seeing him carry it for him.

How she wishes she could carry it for her son.

Jesus takes this moment of relief to speak to the crowd.

Don’t weep for me, but for your children.

Jesus addresses the women crying behind him.

Weep for yourselves, weep for your children who are the children of those that killed the living God.

Through the city gates.

The city gates are the public meeting places of this culture.

the roads are too narrow. The first space that opens up is the city gates.

This is where deals are made, judgements happen, contracts are signed with wittnesses, beggars beg, and news and trade happens.

Its also where justice is dispersed.

This is the best place for the gallows, or in Christs time, the cross.

The Gate is a sign of AUTHORITY over the citizens in that day.

Passersby and those who witness.

This is the season where a tent city pops up outside of the gates. Those there for the festival. They never would have seen Christ on his observation post deep in the city.

Its here where Jesus faces out toward those outside the city as well, he doesn’t face a desert but a sea of people, who have a front row seat to watch the Son of God be crucified for the sins of the world.

Preach:

Indifference towards Jesus is deadly.

If you see Christ, you know of his gospel, and have chosen to remain indifferent, unaffected. Your soul is in serious danger of death, both eternally, but also on this earth.

Not only is it destructive and deadly, forgetting or attempting to set aside Christ and his life, death, and resurrection is no better than mocking him. Both are an intentional rejection of Him.

Forgetting Jesus, the new mocking.

Sin of commission, mocking Jesus. Sin of omission, knowing who christ is, and refusing to acknowledge him with your life.

We don’t have to outwardly mock Jesus as they did on the streets, all we have to do is know his story, and forget about him.

Maybe Jesus complicates your life, maybe you are ashamed of his message around your unbelieving friends and family. It becomes easier to ignore him, than to remember him.

Knowing who He is, knowing what He did for you. Then forgetting Him, or even worse, Living your life as if what He did didn't happen or is of no consequence, is as bad as being on that street spitting on him, yelling profanities at him, mocking him.

Those people had two options, reject Christ, or feel sorrow for him.

But there was a third option in a rare circumstance, to walk along side Jesus and Carry his cross for a moment.

Church, today, we are given that chance. To pick up your cross and carry it alongside of Christ.

Carrying the cross may seem small, but it changes your universe.

Simon was no faithful disciple. But confronted with Christ, he carried his cross.

Can you imagine? The only human to bear the weight of the cross alongside of Jesus (not the weight of sin) but to experience what it was like in that moment.

Can you put yourself there for a min, put yourself there and I dare you to choose indifference today. Because if you can, your soul is in trouble. If you can your heart is so hardened that only a resurrection can break it.

Apply:

Pick up your cross and look upon the crowd.

Feel Christs love for them, and their scorn for him.

Feel christs love for you. Even when you have chosen something less.

Repent, carry your cross, follow him.