Close to the Cross, Far from Christ

Introduction

A man once worked at a large hospital for many years. Every day he walked the same hallways as doctors, nurses, surgeons, and patients. He heard medical conversations daily. He saw ambulances arrive. He watched lives being saved constantly. But one day he became seriously ill himself, and the shocking reality was this — although he had spent years around medicine, he had never personally received treatment.

He was close to healing every day, yet never applied it to himself.

That is how many people are spiritually. They are:

close to church, close to preaching, close to worship, close to Christian people,

yet they have never personally surrendered their lives to Christ.

The soldiers in John 19 were standing closer to Jesus than most people in history would ever stand. They heard Him speak. They saw His suffering. They witnessed prophecy unfolding before their eyes. Yet while salvation was hanging above them, they were focused on gambling below Him.

They were close to the cross, but far from Christ.

Short Punch Line

“Proximity to Jesus is not the same as relationship with Jesus.”

And there is a Spiritual Paradox where physical proximity to the cross does not guarantee a spiritual connection to Christ.

In the church today, we are engaging in building the membership, but there is no concern about building up the member.

We are searching for Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram likes and loves, and yet people are still lost in sin.

We will spend half of the church meeting arguing about who can sign checks, and on Sunday morning when the deacons pray more than one prayer, we will tell them that they are out of order. “Close to the Cross, Far from Christ.”

Jesus during His earthly ministry said in Matthew 10:38 “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Those of us that want to experience the transformative power of Christ must remember this truth.

Being close to the cross will cause you some challenging times in life.

Just as Jesus was being crucified, he was being talked about and mocked. He was insulted and ridiculed.

I am talking about being close to the cross and experiencing a spiritual connection with Christ

Jesus also said in Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” When Jesus was being crucified, he was in the middle of two thieves.

“In my spiritual imagination, the thief on the left saw Jesus only as an escape plan. He was close to the cross, but far from true repentance. His mindset was, ‘Lord, get me out of this situation.’ And many people still approach God that way today — wanting rescue without relationship.”

“And then there is the thief on the right. Unlike the thief on the left, though facing the same fate, his response was completely different. He developed a spiritual connection with Christ on the cross. While Jesus remained silent between the two criminals, the thief on the right began speaking truth to the thief on the left. He acknowledged his own guilt, recognized the innocence of Jesus, and placed his faith in Him. One thief wanted escape from suffering, but the other desired mercy from the Savior.”

We are guilty of our crimes, this man is innocent

We deserve our punishment but this man in the middle does not deserve this.

The thief on the right says with his last breath, “Lord remember me when thou come in thy kingdom, and Jesus promised him...”Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.”

Therefore we come this morning to share about another group who was close to the cross, but far from Christ.

John 19:23 KJV 1900

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Principle #1: They Lacked a connection (They saw a criminal and didn’t see Christ)

They took His garments

Split them four ways (four soldiers)

Fifth article of clothing was Jesus seamless tunic.

Observation:

Jesus beaten, bruised, and broken body is nailed to the cross

The Soldiers (who follow command and orders from their commander) took Jesus clothes

Took the garments (divide them among 4 soldiers) and outer garments (seamless/one piece). Five articles of clothing.

Interpretation:

One of the perks for retribution for payment for the soldiers was splitting the prisoners clothing.

Jesus was stripped of his clothes so that we could be clothed with righteousness

“Jesus endured ridicule publicly so He could save us eternally.”

“The insults of men could not stop the intention of God — to save humanity through Christ.”

According to Jewish custom, a person would consistently wear five articles of clothing (shoes, turban, belt, tunic, and outer robe).

What could they do with Jesus shoes? Could they walk the path that Jesus was about to walk?

What would they do with Jesus turban? A turban was a headdress in the Jewish tradition worn by the High Priest. It would distinguish the Priest from others. Would this turban change the status of the soldier?

What would they do with Jesus belt? Could they hold up the excess baggage of man? Funny: “Those soldiers were so focused on the garment that they missed the God wearing it. They were arguing over a girdle while salvation was hanging above them! Isn’t it amazing how people can get distracted by the wrapping and miss the Redeemer?”

What could they do with his outer robe? The outer robe was used to keep the man warm and to add style.

Last articles of clothing and the fifth piece. What would the lucky soldier who would cast lots do with his coat or tunic? The tunic was the most valuable part of Jesus uniform. It was pieces of garment sewn together seamlessly top to /bottom. Is this the same tunic that once healed a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years? “Some blessings must remain whole to retain their purpose.”

Application:

Don’t be so close to church that you miss worship.

Don’t be so caught up in religion that you miss reality

We tend to be close to material things that we will miss eternal things. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Mk 8:36.

John 19:24 KJV 1900

24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Principle #2: They Lack Clarity (Lacked perspective and understanding)

Let us not rend or tear this tunic

But let us play a game of dice for it.

Observation:

The soldiers didn’t want to rend or tear the seamless coat. If they did, it would have been useless. It would have lost value. “Be careful what you tear apart in pursuit of temporary gain, because some things cannot be restored to their original value once they are broken.”

Therefore to decide who would get the tunic, they cast lots.

Unknowingly fulfilling a prophecy from Psalm 22:18

Interpretation:

Don’t gamble at the foot of life

The posture of gambling is down on your knees but they were not praying.

“At the very foot of the cross, they bowed their knees not in worship, but in wagering — close to Christ physically, yet far from Him spiritually.”

“You see, gambling fundamentally contradicts the teachings of Christ because it is built on the desire to gain something without labor, sacrifice, or stewardship. It feeds the illusion that you can receive a reward without responsibility. But many times, in chasing what you hope to gain, you end up losing what you already have.”

“When you gamble for what you want, you may end up forfeiting what God already gave you.”

Application:

“Sometimes we get right on the edge of our breakthrough, but instead of holding on to Christ, we start gambling with life — and we miss the very Savior who was trying to deliver us.”

“Don’t gamble away your breakthrough and miss Christ.”

Transition Line: But don’t misunderstand me, the soldiers were gambling but God was about to get the Glory. Just hold on, the story continues.

John 19:24 KJV 1900

24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Principle #3: They Lack Closeness: They were at church but not in the church.

They didn’t realize that they were fulfilling God’s prophecy.

Observation:

Unknowingly fulfilling a prophecy from Psalm 22:18

God’s purpose and plan will always succeed.

Interpretation:

“Even those who do not acknowledge God can still be used by God to accomplish His divine purpose.”

Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

He was betrayed by his family

He dealt with false accusations and was imprisoned

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Application:

One day I was a kid shooting marbles, and my Mama and Daddy took me to church. I was just like these soldiers. I was at church but not in the church.

Conclusion

And then there was a man who had three servants. He went on a journey but before he left he gave the three servants a talent according to his ability.

He gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent

Immediately the one who received five talents went to work and invested his and it was doubled

Same for the one who received two talents, went to work and it was doubled

But the one who received one talent buried his talent

And when the Master came back, the one with now

ten talents brought his talents,

the one was now four talents brought his talents,

But the one who buried his talent didn’t have nothing to give back to the master.

The Master took his one talent and gave it to the one with ten, and then casted this servant into the outer pits of darkness.

Point: Whatever the Master gives you don’t gamble it away but use what He gave you to build up His kingdom.

If its joy - don’t gamble

If it’s love - don’t gamble

If it’s peace - don’t gamble

As I sat there on the moaners bench Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, nothing happened. Daddy asked me to find someone in the church and ask them to pray for me. I cannot remember who it was but we came back Thursday Night. Rev. Moses Tillman was a deacon then and My God it prayed that night for my lost soul. And church it was Thursday night for me when I took my Master’s hand and joined the christian band. I moved from the foot of the cross into the heart of Jesus.