The Blood At The Cross
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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In the cross is health, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is heavenly sweetness, in the cross strength of mind, in the cross joy of the Spirit, in the cross the height of virtue, in the cross perfection of holiness. There is no health of the soul, no hope of eternal life, save in the cross.
Thomas à Kempis (Ascetical Writer)
For the last two weeks, we have been going through the times Christ bled as we have been going through the Gospel of John.
Today, we get to what is the most pivotal point in not only Christian history, but history in general.
The crucifixion of Jesus is a pivotal moment because it is the central event of our Christian faith, it is the ultimate sacrifice of a perfect Savior and King, it is the exact point of the reconciliation between man and God, and it is the exact moment where death, hell and the grave were defeated.
To scholars, the crucifixion is the most widely accepted point in time that all historical and archeological findings give weight and significance too.
Everything points to the most influential and excruciating death of Jesus Christ.
Matter of fact, something my beautiful wife pointed out to me as I was studying this message. Excruciating has it’s root word in Crucifixion. There was no word in the Greek to describe the horrors of a crucifixion, so they had to create a word.
Before we go any further, let’s look at our verses for today
But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Let’s pray!
Nails are mentioned in the bible nine times, but John 20:25 is the only time it is in reference to Christ.
Something to note, the Roman’s were very good at torture, and crucifixions were there specialty.
Now, most of you have seen the pictures of the hands and feet of Christ with the nail holes.
Most scholars agree with the placement of the nails on the feet due the gap in the meta tarsal and the vertical pressure Christ would have placed on his feet.
What is debated is the placement of where the nails were placed on his hands. Most believe due to understanding human biology and Roman torture, they believe it would have been more placed in the wrist. Now before you get all up in a roar, the Greek language at the time did not have a word for wrist and they would have used the word hand to describe that area.
Either way, it is not a heaven or hell issue if it is in his hands or his wrist, what is a heaven or hell issue is your belief.
Today we will be looking at two things dealing with the nails and two things dealing with the spear.
The Nails
They nailed closed the Door of Judaism
They nailed together Christ and the Church
The Nails
They nailed closed the Door of Judaism
The second the nails were pushed through the skin of Christ, we moved from the old covenant to the new.
He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.
The nails shut the door to the requirements of the law. No more need for the priesthood. No more need for sacrifices. No more need for burning incense.
Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
The Old Testament begins with the promise of a deliverer, and the New Testament reveals that Jesus is that deliverer. The entire Old Testament serves as the lead-up to this promise, and the New Testament announces its fulfillment.
Why, then, was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
The Old Testament was there for man to be aware of their sins. The Old Testament has always been to point to the need for a Savior.
And that Savior when the nails were pushed through his skin
The Nails
2. They nailed together Christ and the Church
One of the greatest deceptions that the devil has done is change peoples attitude about the need for the church:
The church is not need for salvation...yes that is true but it is need for sanctification
The church is a man made concept. Sorry no it is not.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
Christ calls the church his bride. He loves the church, so much so he gave himself for her.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her
Now be very aware, some will resent the church, some will forsake the church. Some will ignore the need for the church, and some will be there just to divide the church.
But when those nails nailed Christ to the cross, they also nailed Christ to the church and the church to him.
Now the nails were not the only thing that pierced him when he was on the cross
The Spear
The Blood
The Water
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
The Spear
The Blood
The blood is needed for the redemption of sin and for the purchase of the church.
According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Because Jesus shed his blood for us, we can have forgiveness of our sins.
Every single one of us needs redemption of our sins.
The redemptive aspect is the life giving aspect.
When the spear pierced his side, the blood formed a fountain for the washing away of sin.
“On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the residents of Jerusalem, to wash away sin and impurity.
2. The Water
The water is for importing life where there is death and for the production of the church.
For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of his body.
The flowing water and the unbroken bone are signs that relate to the life importing aspect of Christ death. The water became the fountain of life.
For the wellspring of life is with you.
By means of your light we see light.
We can be washed at the fountain for sin by the confession of our sins.
Praise the Lord for his redeeming and life imparting death, for both the blood and the water.
