The Compassion of Christ-Luke 23:46-49

Intro

Typically when I teach a lesson about the cross, I try to make the pain and agony of the cross become real to you.

Yet the Bible simply says, “and they crucified Him.” Mark 15:24

We spend a lot of time focusing in on the physical pain and agony of crucifixion, yet the Bible describes it so simply.

This is not to say that it wasn’t that bad because even Paul describes in Philippians 2:8.

This morning, let us look on the cross and notice some things.

Do You See The Enormity Of Sin?

How are we to measure Sin? Is it really all that bad?

The cross reminds us that we don’t see sin as God sees sin.

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

In the shadow of the cross sin is not to be taken lightly and laughed off.

Do You See The Shame Of Man?

It’s mind boggling that God took on flesh, dwelt among us, and we killed Him!

On December 8, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt said that December 7, 1941 was a “date which will live in infamy.”

But this date pales in comparison to the cold, calculated murder of Jesus.

Only once in the history of the world was there a perfect, sinless man, and we nailed Him to a cross and murdered Him.

John 19:6 ESV

6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

Matthew 27:19 ESV

19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

Do You See His Compassion?

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Can you imagine the depth of love demonstrated in saying “No” to Jesus’ prayer? Luke 22:39-44

Luke 22:39–44 ESV

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Matthew 26:53 ESV

53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Conclusion

The cross of Jesus stands as a billboard read by men throughout the ages.

It’s messages is written in the blood of Jesus.

And that message unmistakably says, “I love you.”

The question that remains to be answered is “Do you love Him?”