Christ on the Cross
THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST
MATTHEW 27:33–50
I. THE CRUCIFIXION WAS PROPHESIED.
1. It was prophesied by Isaiah; Isa. 53:2–12.
2. It was prophesied by Daniel; Dan. 9:26.
3. It was prophesied by Zechariah; Zech. 13:6.
II. THE CRUCIFIXION WAS NOT DESERVED.
1. He knew no sin; 2 Cor. 5:21.
2. He did no sin; 1 Peter 2:22.
3. He was without sin; Heb. 4:15.
III. THE CRUCIFIXION WAS VOLUNTARILY.
1. He came to give His life as a Ransom; Matt. 20:28.
2. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter; Isa. 53:7.
3. He gave Himself as a sacrifice to God; Eph. 5:2.
IV. THE CRUCIFIXION WAS SHAMEFUL.
1. He was crucified on a tree; Gal. 3:13.
2. He was crucified in the midst of mockery; Mark 15:18–20.
3. He was crucified by His own nation; Acts 2:23.
V. THE CRUCIFIXION CAUSED AGONY.
1. Agony came because of the crown of thorns; Matt. 27:29.
2. Agony came when He was forsaken by the Father; Matt. 27:46.
3. Agony came when He suffered thirst; John 19:28.
VI. THE CRUCIFIXION WAS SUBSTITUTIONARY.
1. The Just took the place of the unjust; 1 Peter 3:18.
2. The Sinless took the place of the sinner; 2 Cor. 5:21.
3. The Guiltless was made a curse for us; Gal. 3:13.
VII. THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST WAS VICTORIOUS.
1. By His crucifixion we are reconciled to God; Rom. 5:10.
2. By His crucifixion He conquered death; Rev. 1:18.
3. By His crucifixion we have a gospel to preach; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4.
Introduction:
THE CROSS WAS PROMISED
THE CROSS WAS PROMISED
By Isaiah
By Daniel
By Zechariah
THE CROSS WAS UNDESERVED
He knew no sin
He did no sin
He was without sin
THE CROSS WAS VOLUNTARILY
He came to give His life as a Ransom
.
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter
He gave Himself as a sacrifice to God
He gave Himself as a sacrifice to God
THE CROSS WAS SHAMEFUL
He was crucified on a tree
Means of Showing Contempt
At one point early in Julius Caesar’s political career, feelings ran so high against him that he thought it best to leave Rome. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but en route the ship was attacked by pirates and Caesar was captured. The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar’s staff was sent away to arrange the payment. Caesar spent almost 40 days with his captors, jokingly telling the pirates on several occasions that he would someday capture and crucify them to a man. The kidnappers were greatly amused, but when the ransom was paid and Caesar was freed, the first thing he did was gather a fleet and pursue the pirates. They were captured and crucified ... to a man!
Such was the Romans’ attitude toward crucifixion. It was to be reserved for the worst of criminals, a means of showing extreme contempt for the condemned. The suffering and humiliation of a Roman crucifixion were unequaled.
Today in the Word, November 23, 1992
He was crucified and mocked
He was crucified by His own people
THE CROSS WAS AGONIZING
Agony via the crown of thorns
Agony via isolation from the Father
Agony via thirst
THE CROSS WAS OURS
The Just for the unjust
The Sinless for the sinner
The Guiltless cursed for the guilt-cursed
THE CROSS OF CHRIST WAS VICTORIOUS
We are reconciled to God
Atomic Experiment
“It was May 21, 1946. The place - Los Alamos. A young and daring scientist was carrying out a necessary experiment in preparation for the atomic test to be conducted in the waters of the South Pacific atoll at Bikini. “He had successfully performed such an experiment many times before. In his effort to determine the amount of U-235 necessary for a chain reaction—scientists call it the critical mass—he would push two hemispheres of uranium together. Then, just as the mass became critical, he would push them apart with his screwdriver, thus instantly stopping the chain reaction. But that day, just as the material became critical, the screwdriver slipped! The hemispheres of uranium came too close together. Instantly the room was filled with a dazzling bluish haze. Young Louis Slotin, instead of ducking and thereby possibly saving himself, tore the two hemispheres apart with his hands and thus interrupted the chain reaction. By this instant, self-forgetful daring, he saved the lives of the seven other persons in the room. . . (A)s he waited. . for the car that was to take him to the hospital, he said quietly to his companion, ‘You’ll come through all right. But I haven’t the faintest chance myself’ It was only too true. Nine days later he died in agony. Nineteen centuries ago the Son of the living God walked directly into sin’s most concentrated radiation, allowed Himself to be touched by its curse, and let it take His life . . . But by that act He broke the chain reaction. He broke the power of sin.
Death is conquered
The Gospel is proclaimed
CONCLUSION:
In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopp’d my wild career:
I saw One hanging on a Tree
In agonies and blood,
Who fix’d His languid eyes on me.
As near His Cross I stood.
Sure never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look:
It seem’d to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke:
My conscience felt and own’d the guilt,
And plunged me in despair:
I saw my sins His Blood had spilt,
And help’d to nail Him there.
Alas! I knew not what I did!
But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain!
—A second look He gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou may’st live.”
Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
My spirit now if fill’d,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by Him I kill’d!
- John Newton, 1725–180