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Again I want to welcome everybody that is joining us online today for our Easter service.
And if it is your first time, I want to encourage you fill out a digital connect card at mcf.life/online.
And I especially want to welcome those joining us for the first time, and would encourage you to take a moment and fill out a digital connect card at mcf.life/online so that we can better connect with you and send you some information about our church.
As well, if you are new, it would be helpful for you to know that we typically practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
What that means is, we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then studying them from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to better understand what the Bible says and how it applies to our lives today.
That being said, for the last year we’ve been moving through the book of Acts. A NT book written by a 1st Century Disciple named Luke who wrote it for two primary reasons:
First, to give us a history of the church. How it started. Who started it. And the circumstances that surrounded it.
Second, to give us a ministry template for how to accomplish the mission Jesus gave us to take the gospel to the entire world.
And so far, it’s been an amazing study! So, if you haven’t been with us, I would encourage you to go to www.mcf.life where you can listen to past messages leading up to today.
However, with it being Easter, we are going take a break from the book of Acts today and will be looking at a passage of scripture from the Gospel of John. A passage that I think will be of great encouragement to us as we celebrate Easter today.
But before we get to the passage, I want to begin by setting the stage for what we are about to read, and to do that I want to begin by asking you a question. A question that I doubt too many people give thought too on a daily basis, but an important question. And the question is this:
Question - How many of you understand the importance and purpose of symbols?
And when I say symbols, I’m talking about such things as gestures, signs, objects, signals, and even words. Symbols that are meant to serve as a reminder, convey purpose, or provide meaning within a certain context.
Let me give you a few examples of what I’m talking about:
For example, when you’re driving your car down the road, and you come to an intersection, how many of you understand the importance and purpose of the red octagonal sign at the intersection?
I would say we all do, right? In fact, it’s a really important symbol. Why? Because when we see that symbol, it’s a reminder that we need to stop and look both ways before crossing the intersection. Why? In order to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic, right?
Another example would be if you met someone and they had a ring on their left hand. That would be a symbol, right? A symbol that they are married. Because that’s what it typically symbolizes. A symbol that tells you they are involved in a covenant relationship with another person.
Or how about this, let’s say you are shopping for a new shirt, but you’re looking for a certain brand of shirt. So, let me ask you this, “How do you tell one brand of shirt from another?”
By the symbol or logo on the shirt, right?
For example, if you’re looking for a Ralph Lauren shirt, you look for the polo horsemen up in the corner of the shirt.
Or if you’re looking for a nike shirt, you look for the nike “swoosh” emblem.
In both cases the logo symbol tells you the brand of the shirt. Thats how it works, right?
But isn’t it true, it not only tells you the brand, but it actually tells you something about the shirt.
You’re looking for a certain symbol because not only does it identify the brand of shirt, but it tells you something about the shirt.
For instance, it tells you the kind of quality you can expect from the shirt.
Or it tells you what kind of price tag the shirt may have.
And with some brands, it may even represent what that company stands for or believes in.
For example, when it comes to Nike, in Greek mythology, Nike is the winged goddess of victory. And the logo is derived from goddess’s wing, which is represented by the ‘swoosh”, which symbolizes the sound of speed, movement, power and motivation. Which makes sense, since Nike for the most part produces athletic clothing and gear.
And what makes the nike swoosh such a powerful symbol, is that it’s not only recognized within
So,
Here’s another interesting point about symbols. Have you ever noticed some symbols are universal?
For example, the Red Octagonal stop sign is a universal sign used by almost all countries. Which means, no matter where you go in the world, regardless of the language or culture, if you see a red octagonal sign, it probably means stop.
And the same would be true with the Nike logo. It’s a logo that is recognized as a sports logo around the world regardless of the country, culture, or language.
All that to say whether they be signs, rings, or logos, symbols are meant to serve as reminders, convey meaning and purpose, and sometimes provide universal recognition.
All that to say, symbols, whether they be signs, rings, or logos provide understanding, convey purpose, and provide recognizable meaning
Now, at this point, you might be thinking, “Ok Pastor, that’s all very interesting. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. But what exactly does this have to do with Easter?”
Why look for those symbols? Because those symbols not only identify the shirt, but they also tell you something about the shirt. They tell you what kind of quality to expect. They tell you what kind of price to expect.
To be honest, it has everything to do with Easter. Because in many respects, like a stop sign, a ring, or a logo on a shirt, Easter is a symbol.
A symbol that is meant to remind us of something.
A symbol that provides the purpose for our celebration today.
And a symbol that is universally recognized by Christians all over the world.
A reminder, purpose, and universal meaning that is symbolized in one universal symbol. Can you guess what that symbol is?
It’s the the symbol of the cross, right?(Show Picture)
A symbol that represents our beliefs and the hope that we have on Easter. And a symbol that is often displayed in a number of different ways and for different purposes.
For example:
For some it’s a religous symbol of identification that they hang on their wall or place on a mantel in their home.
For others its worn as a logo they wear around their necks or maybe print on a t-shirt.
Some hang it on walls as a sign and reminder of their faith.
Then there are those who see it as a sign and sacrament that is created by a hand motion in order to prepare them to receive grace.
To many it’s a sacrament and symbolic gesture by the individual that prepares them to receive grace.
For many churches, it’s a symbol of religous identification displayed on steeples that can be seen from miles away.
The fact is, the cross is the universal symbol for Christianity that is hung, worn, signed, and displayed by Christians and churches throughout the world for different reasons and purposes.
And while that’s all fine and good, it does beg to question, “What exactly is the cross supposed to represent or mean?”
In other words, just like a stop sign, a ring, and a nike logo have specific meanings and purpose, when we see a cross, what should it say to us? What should it automatically cause us to think about? What purpose does that symbol serve in our lives?
That’s what I want to talk with you about today. Because as we celebrate Easter today, I can’t think of a better time than to ask the question, “What does the symbol of the cross represent?”
And so to answer that question, we are going to go to the Gospel of John chapter 12. A chapter that leads us into the passover weekend and just a few days from the crucifixion of Jesus.
And from this passage we are going to discover 3 implications of the cross. Three implications that the cross symbolizes.
And my hope is that in discovering these implications, not only will we have a better understanding of what the cross represents, but what it means personally to our lives. So that when we hang it, wear it, or display it, we know exactly what the symbol represents and the hope that it guarantees.
And so with that as our basis, let’s jump into as Jesus and His disciples arrive in Jerusalem and the passover weekend begins.
And just to give you a heads up, we are going to start in an odd part in the passage.
John 12:20
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Odd because it involves a group of people that we typically don’t give much thought to when it comes to the Easter story. But as we’re going to discover, they play an important part in what’s about to happen.
John 12:20-
Before we get to the group that set the crucifixion in motion, the first thing I want to point out, is that this passage directly follows the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
So, let’s find out who this group is as we go to , beginning in verse 20, John writes:
Hosanna! Blessed is uhe who comes in the name of the Lord, even vthe King of Israel!”
That moment where Jesus road in on a donkey as the people laid palm branches before Him.
That moment when they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
u [ch. 5:43]
That moment when the people were hopeful that Jesus was the Messiah that had come to deliver Israel from Roman occupation and establish His earthly kingdom.
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
But as we all know, that’s not what Jesus came to do. Instead He came to be a spiritual deliverer, something the Jewish people had not yet grasped, understood, or accepted.
v See ch. 1:49
In fact, at this point, Jesus’s own disciples hadn’t grasped it. We know this because John writes, “His disciples did not understand these things at first...” (ESV)
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
John says the disciples were clueless as to what all this meant. In fact, it wouldn’t be until after Jesus’s death and resurrection that they would understand. Because John goes onto writes, “…but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” (ESV)
All that to say, in the midst of Jesus entering Jerusalem and the people expecting Him to be made king, Jesus has other plans. Plans that are set in motion in verse 20 by a certain group. Let me show you what I mean. Going back to verse 20, look again at what John tells us:
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
John 12:20-
John 12:20-
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John says following the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, a group of Greeks want to see Jesus. And so in order to gain access they go too Philip, and then Philip goes to Andrew, and then they both go to Jesus. And they present the Greek’s question to Jesus, which is, “Can we speak to Jesus?”
And they do so by going through the discipels. Becuase John says it happens as they first go too Philip, and then Philip goes to Andrew, and then they both go to Jesus. And their question is, “Can we speak to Jesus?”
Now, you might wonder, “What’s so significant about this group and this request?
We’re going to come back to that in a second, but first I want you to look at Jesus’s response to their request. Because Jesus responds in a very peculiar way. Listen to what John tells us Jesus says:
It’s significant because up until this point, outside of a couple of rare instances, Greeks or non-Jews has rarely been mentioned, and Jesus hasn’t focused on reaching either. Instead, His focus has been on the Jews.
We know this, because in Matthew tells the story of a Cananite woman, a non-Jewish woman, who sought out Jesus’s help, and I want you to listen to how Jesus initially responds to her:
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
On the surface, Jesus’s response is stunning and confusing because it appears Jesus isn’t willing to help this woman. But that’s not the case at all, because in this instance Jesus does go on to heal her.
The point Jesus is making though in that statement is that He came first to proclaim himself to the Jews in hopes that they would see Him for who He is and put their faith and hope in Him.
But unfortunately, they’re not seeing it. But apparently, there are others who are beginning to see it. Others that aren’t Jewish who are beginning to see Jesus as something much more.
You might say, “How do you know that pastor?” I know that based on Jesus’s response the Greek’s request to see Him. Because listen to how Jesus responded, verse 23:
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Kind of odd, right? Odd because instead of just saying, “No”, or “Bring them to me” or “Let me think about it”, Jesus responds to the request by saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
John 12:23-
I can about imagine the look of confusion on Philip and Andrew’s faces. Because that’s an odd response.
So, what does Jesus mean by that? Why the cryptic response? What is Jesus saying here?
Here’s what it means. It means it’s time for Jesus to be crucified. How do we know that? We know that because of what Jesus goes on to say in verse 31 as He begins to explain to his disciples what’s about to happen. Listen to what he says in verse 31:
Well, based on what Jesus says in the next few verses, He’s saying a few things:
First, In saying this, Jesus is declaring that the time for His death has now come.
John 12:
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
We know this based on what Jesus says next. Because listen to what He goes on to say:
John 12:
So, that’s the first thing the statement, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” means.
By making this statement Jesus is now pointing to His death. A death that will be like the death of a seed as it goes into the ground and produces much fruit. Because in Jesus’s death
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
After making His cryptic response, Jesus now makes reference to a grain of wheat that is sowed into the ground and dies. Which is exactly what happens to a seed when its put in the ground.
that because of what Jesus goes on to say in verse 31 as He begins to explain to his disciples what’s about to happen. Because listen to what He goes on to say as he explains his response to His disciples. Verse 31:
But in this case, the seed Jesus is referring to is Himself. Meaning, He’s about to be put in the ground.
Second, in saying this, Jesus is declaring why He must die.
Again, we see this in the grain illustration. Because Jesus says there’s purpose in the seed being put in the ground. And the purpose is one of sacrifice. A sacrifice that will produce a great harvest that bears much fruit.
Third, in saying this, Jesus is referencing the type of death he will face.
We see this in verse 31 as Jesus further explains to His disciples what is about to happen. Listen to what he says:
How do we know that? We know because of what Jesus goes on to say in verse 31 as He begins to explain to his disciples what’s about to happen. Because listen to what He goes on to say as he explains his response to His disciples. Verse 31:
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Notice the term, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth...”
By making this statement, Jesus is pointing to the type of death He will face. A death that will literally lift him up off the ground. A death that obviously points to crucifixion.
Finally, by saying this, Jesus is pointing to his resurrection and exaltation.
We know this because the phrase, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth...” actually has a dual meaning. Because while it points to the kind of death Jesus will face, it also points to the result of that death.
Second, asJesus just stated, it means it’s time for Jesus to be glorified.
It’s what the prophet Isaiah is talking about in where he writes this concerning Jesus:
So, what does that mean? In a nutshell, it means it’s time for Jesus to be seen for who He really is. It’s what the prophet Isaiah predicted in where he writes this concerning Jesus:
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
The prophet says when the promised savior comes, He will be lifted up and He will be exalted. And in that moment, it will become undoubtedly clear that He is the Son of God.
Which is exactly what happens following Jesus’s death and His resurrection, as Jesus ascends into heaven and takes His place at the right hand of God.
All that to say, in this one statement, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”, Jesus says a mouthful as He declares his death, how He will die, the purpose it will serve, and the final result, which will be his exaltation. And at the center of all of it is the cross. That’s why Paul writes in Philippians:
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Phillipians 2:
Which is what is so significant about this group of Greeks seeking out Jesus. Because it’s in their request to see Jesus that the cross now comes into focus. The question then is, “Why? Why does their request become the catalyst for the cross?”
So, you might ask, “So, why this moment? Why this request?”
John 12:
And from that symbol Jesus gives us four implications of the cross, the first being this:
Here’s why, and it leads us to the first implication of the cross.
The Cross symbolizes that the Gospel is for all.
Here’s what we need to understand about these Greeks. Up until this moment, outside of a couple of rare instances, while on earth, Jesus never focused on reaching Greeks or non-Jews. Instead, He primarily focused on the Jews.
We know this, because in Matthew tells the story of a Cananite woman, a non-Jewish woman, who sought out Jesus’s help for her daughter who was possessed by a demon, and I want you to listen to how Jesus initially responds to her. Matthew writes:
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
On the surface, Jesus’s response is stunning and confusing because it appears Jesus isn’t willing to help this poor woman’s daughter. But that’s not the case at all, because in this instance Jesus goes on to heal the daughter.
So, let’s stop there for a moment and get our bearings on what all of this means.
The point Jesus is making though, is that He came first to proclaim himself to the Jews in hopes that the lost sheep of Israel would put their faith in Him as the Son of God.
But unfortunately, they’re not seeing Jesus as a spiritual savior. All they can see Jesus as is a physical redeemer who will deliver them from Roman rule and provide for their temporal needs.
But that’s not why Jesus came. Jesus came to provide spiritual salvation. But the Jews of that day couldn’t see that.
But apparently, there are others who are now beginning to see Jesus as something more. Others who are open to what Jesus is saying. And for Jesus it’s a sign. It’s a sign that His time to leave this world has come.
You might say, “How do you know that pastor?” I know that based on Jesus’s response the Greek’s request to see Him. Because while we don’t know if Jesus saw them or not, what we do know is that Jesus saw this as a turning point. A point where He had done everything He could do to reach the Jews.
Everything from healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding thousands, casting out demons, and silencing storms.
But none of that has convinced the Jews that He is who He say’s He is. They are still unwilling to believe and continue to ask for a sign.
Going back to the Greeks who want to see Jesus, what I want you to see first, is that this is the turning point. It’s their request to see Him that sends a signal to Jesus that the time is upon Him. And the reason it does, is because
But now their are some Greeks that are willing to believe. Greeks who are now seeking Jesus out. And for Jesus, it’s the sign that the time has come to present the gospel, not just to one people group, but to all people groups. Which is why Jesus says in verse 23:
“
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
And then in verse 32:
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Because Jesus knows through his crucifixion and resurrection, the door of salvation will now be opened to all. That the time for the gentiles to hear the gospel has come.
Which is exactly what happened as the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus led to the birth of the church and the expansion of the gospel into the rest of the world.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
And that’s good news for you and me. Because what that means, is that the gospel is for everyone who would desire it.
24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Meaning, it’s not just for a certain group or class of people.
Jesus says there will be a time period where the focus will be on
It’s not just for people who have a perfect track record.
It’s not just for people who live on a certain side of town or make “x” amount of dollars.
It’s not just for people who have a certain religous background.
It’s not just for people who grew up in church.
No. The gospel is for anyone and everyone who would desire to have a relationship with God.
Jesus said, “I am lifted up to draw all people to myself.”
So, what that means then is, when you see a cross, one of the first things it should remind you of is the salvation that Jesus provides to all.
You might say, “Why’s it so important we understand that?” It’s important because it reminds us that the cross is inclusive not exclusive.
Meaning, it’s not just for the group that meets in the building with the cross on the steeple.
And it’s not just a personal religous logo that tells others you identify with Jesus or that you’re a Christian.
No. It’s so much more than that. It’s a proclamation. A proclamation that Jesus has come to save all who would believe.
It’s meant to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of salvation to anybody that would put their faith in Jesus.
And to be honest, the best place to display the cross isn’t around your neck, on a t-shirt, or on a building. The best place to display it is in your attitude, behavior, and love for others. Because as a Christian, your life is now the symbol of that cross. A symbol of hope. A symbol of love. A symbol that should draw people to Jesus, not push them away. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Paul says we have been crucified with Christ, and as a result, He lives in and through us. And guess what, our lives should symbolize that. Our lives should symbolize the inclusive love of a savior that gave His life not just for me, not just for you, but for all.
When the Greeks asked to see Jesus, Jesus pointed to the cross. And he said that’s the symbol that now represents what I’m providing to all who would believe.
Now, you might be thinking, “
This leads us to the second implication of the cross. And I would state it like this:
2. The cross symbolizes the judgment of God.
Listen to what Jesus goes on to say as he references his death on the cross:
John 12:
“Now is the judgment of this world...”
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Notice what Jesus says. He says as a result of his glorification, “Now is the judgment of this world...”
So, what does that mean?
What it means is the cross represents a decision each of us will have to make. Andt he decision is simply this:
“Will I make Jesus Lord of my life or not?” (Repeat)
Jesus puts it like this in . Listen to what He says about this judgment:
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Jesus says the light, which is Him, has come into the world. And as a result, there are two responses to it.
The first response is from those who love the darkness rather than the light. In other words, these are the people who have given themselves to the ways of the world and the desires of the flesh. These are the ones who have no desire to live according to God’s law or His ways. The Apostle Paul describes them like this:
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
And so Jesus says, for those who love the darkness, they will refuse to come to the light. Why?
Jesus says it’s because they don’t want their lifestyle to be exposed. Meaning, they don’t want to be told that what they are doing or how they are living is wrong. In fact, they don’t respond well to that at all.
And if you don’t believe me, just look at how secular culture responds when it’s told certain actions, lifestyles, or ways of living are wrong.
For example, look at how the pro-abortionists responds when they are told abortion is wrong. In many cases they become verbally viscous, right?
Or look at how the LGBTQ community responds when they are told their lifestyle is wrong. They become highly offended, file lawsuits, and lash out, right?
Or just think about how people who are shacking up vs. getting married respond when you tell them they shouldn’t be living together. They get upset, correct?
Or how the person engaged in premarital sex responds when you tell them they shouldn’t have sex until marriage. Doesn’t go well, does it.
And the list goes on of ways the world gets upset when somebody tries to shine light in the darkness.
So, that’s one group.
The second group are those who come to the light. The ones who put their faith in Jesus, make Him Lord of their life, and commit to living according to God’s standards and desires. That’s why Jesus says in :
21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
So, those are the two groups. Those who want to live in the darkness and cover of sin and those who want to live free from sin in the light.
And so when Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world...” What’e He’s saying is the time to make a decision has come. You either choose the light or darkness. And with that decision come two different judgments.
For those that choose darkness, it’s a negative judgment. It’s a judgment that leads to spiritual death. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works:
What Paul is referring to is the final judgment. The judgment of the wicked dead where God will judge those who refused to turn from sin. Judge those who refused to accept the free gift of salvation that His Son Jesus had offered them. John the revelator describes that day of judgment like this:
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
John says there will be a day when we stand before God, and based on your decision concerning Jesus, your name is in the book of life or it’s not. And for those whose name is in the book of life, it’s a good day. But for those who are not it’s not a good day, and they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.
You say, “What’s the lake of fire?” Here’s John’s description of it:
10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
John says it’s the place Satan is going to end up. It’s a place of torment. It’s where anybody who choose the darkness over the light will spend eternity. Why? Because that’s what they choose.
Now, some of you might be thinking, “Pastor, that’s horrible. Why would you share something like that on Easter? That’s not very encouraging!”
I share it, because it’s the truth and it’s what the cross represents. It represents a decision of life or death. A decision of salvation or damnation. A decision to make Jesus Lord of your life, or not make Him Lord of your life. And it’s something we better understand and take to heart. Because like it or not, it’s the truth. It’s what the cross symbolizes.
All that to say, when you see a cross, not only should it remind you that Jesus provides salvation for all, which is amazing! But it also should remind you that for those who don’t put their faith in Jesus, there are dire consequences. And as a result, when you consider the cross, it should produce a couple of responses in you:
one of the first things it should remind you of is the salvation that Jesus provides to all.
Response #1 - If you’re a Christian, it should produce a desire to seek and save the lost.
Here’s what I mean by that. While the cross is a great symbol of your faith that looks good on a necklace or on a building, if you’re not actively trying to share your faith and lead people to Jesus, then you truly don’t understand what that cross represents.
Let me explain it like this. If you know anything about the comic book superhero batman, you know that the bat emblem he wears on his chest is important to him. For batman, it represents everything he does in fighting crime and helping people.
And as a result, it’s what becomes the symbol of hope for the people of Gotham City. Not only that, but it becomes the symbol that represents their need for help. Because whenever something goes wrong in Gotham city, the bat emblem is shot up into the sky to signal Batman that the people of Gotham need help.
In the same way, that’s what the cross should represent to us. It represents everything we believe. For us it’s a beacon of hope. But it’s also a beacon of distress. A reminder that there are people who are in desperate need of help. A reminder that God has called us to respond to the need. That God has called us to reach a lost and dying world.
The cross is meant to remind us of that. And it should produce a response to seek and save the lost.
Response #2 - The cross should cause you to ask yourself, “Which have I chosen? Darkness or light?”
Like I said, for all of us the cross represents a decision. A decision to make Jesus Lord or not.
So, if you’re going to wear the cross, make it your religous symbol, or attend a building with a cross on it, here are three questions you can ask yourself to determine which you’ve chosen:
Question #1 - Have I made Jesus Lord of my life? In other words, have I recognized I’m a sinner in need of saving and accepted Jesus’s death as payment for my sin? Have I put my faith in Him? Yes or no.
Question #2 -If yes, does my life actual represent that? In other words am I truly living in the light, or are there areas of darkness in my life. Areas that I’ve covered up and hidden. Areas I don’t want exposed. Pet sins that I’m not willing to let go of.
Question #3 - If there are areas of darkness in my life, what am I going to do to change that? What do I need to repent of? What do I need to let go of? What needs to be exposed so that I can walk in the light?
That’s an important question to ask yourself.
It ought to give you a heart of evangelism.
You see, the cross should always produce a response in us. Because it’s not just a logo you wear to represent Jesus or be religiously cool. It actually represents a decision of life or death.
It should result in some personal spiritual reflection.
This leads us to the final implication of the cross.
3. The cross symbolizes the defeat of Satan.
Jesus puts it like this as he continues, that because of his death on the cross:
"…now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” John 12:31b
The cross should cause you to ask yourself, “Which have I chosen?”
What Jesus is saying here is, that while the cross may have initially looked like a victory for Satan, it actually represents his ultimate defeat.
Now, some might say, “If that’s true Pastor, then why is there still evil in the world? Why do bad things still happen?”
Here’s what Jesus means by this statement. Up until the cross, Satan had done his worst to cause chaos and destruction within God’s creation. Done his worst to bring death to all God has created. But with the cross, his days of tyranny are over.
Let me explain it like this:
In way, Satan and his works are like the Corona Virus. He’s an unseen deadly creature that has been working hard to spread the infection of sin throughout the world. An infection that breeds fear, death, and chaos.
But those days are over now. His reign of tyranny has ended. Because God has provided the cure. A cure that comes through faith in Jesus. A cure symbolized by the work that Jesus did on the cross. The place where Jesus overcame sin, death, and the grave. The place where the beginning of the end started for Satan.
And so no, sin hasn’t been totally eradicated from the world yet. And yes, there is still evil in this world. But the good news of the gospel is spreading. The Spirit of God is on the move. The light is overshadowing the darkness. And there is a day coming soon when Jesus will return, and the ruler of this world will be judged. Jesus puts it like this in :
11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Jesus says judgment is coming for Satan. A judgment that will result in his final demise as he and his fallen angels are forever thrown in the lake of fire. A day that will result in the complete eradication of sin. John the revelator puts it like this:
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The cross represents the defeat of Satan and the beginning of a new life for anybody that would put their faith in Jesus.
And that’s good news for you and I. Because what that means is, we don’t have to live in hopelessness any longer. We don’t have to live the the fearing death or the life to come.
Instead, we can live with hope. We can live with confidence. We can live knowing that despite the challenges we still face, despite what the world throws at us, there is day coming where all of this will pass away. A day where there are no more tears, no more crying, no more pain, and no more death. A day where we are living in the light of God. I love how John the revelator describes it. In he writes:
22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
That’s what the cross symbolizes. It symbolizes the hope we now have because Satan has been defeated.
I don’t know about you, but I think that’s amazing news! And something worth putting our hope in.
With that said, as we close today, I think it would be appropriate for us to take a few moments and give some personal consideration to what we’ve just learned about the cross. And in doing so, I’d like to address two different groups of people.
The first group I’d like to address are those who claim to be Christians or have some sort of religious or church background. And my question for you is simply this:
Question - Do you have a proper understanding of the cross? In other words:
Do you recognize it’s meant to be a reminder that Jesus came to save anybody and everybody that would listen?
Do you understand because of that , it’s meant to remind you of your obligation to lead others to Jesus?
And finally, is it what you are truly putting your hope in. And when I say that, I’m not talking about the cross itself. I’m talking about what it symbolizes. I’m talking about the decision it requires of you. The decision to make Jesus Lord of your life or not. Is that something you have truly done?
Because the reality is, just because you have a cross in your home, or wear a cross around your neck, or go to a building with a cross on it, that doesn’t make you a Christ follower.
What makes you a Christ follower is if what it symbolizes is actually true of your life. That if what Pauls says in could be said of you, where he writes:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
The question is, “Is that true of you? Does your life truly represent what the cross symbolizes?” Is the old you really gone? Have you truly made Jesus Lord of your life, not in just a few ways, but in every way?
I’d like for you to think about that for a second while I talk to the other group.
And when I say other group, I’m talking about those of you who haven’t made Jesus Lord of your life. I’m talking about those of you who haven’t made a relationship with God a priority in your life. And I actually have a few questions for you:
Question #1 - What’s your symbol of hope?
In other words, when it comes to your life; your happiness, your fulfillment, your joy, your contentment, and your future, what is it you look to? What’s your hope in?
Is it in what the world offers? Its sinful desires? Its empty promises?
Is it in what the government promises it will give you?
Is it in what you can accomplish on your own?
Is it in how much money you have in your checking account?
Is it in a relationship with another person?
Is it in a bottle?
Is it in a bottle of pills?
My question for you is, “What is your symbol of hope? What is it that your fears, feelings, hopes, and dreams rest upon?”
And
Question #2 - How’s your symbol of hope working out for you?
In other words, is the world actually delivering on what it promises?
Has the government come through for you?
Is there ever enough money in your checking account?
Does the bottle and the pills actually take the pain away?
Is that relationship with that person actually filling the void in your life?
I’m just curious, has your symbol of hope come through for you or does it continually fall short?
Unless I miss my guess, I’m going to say it continuously falls short. That it’s actually not a symbol of hope, but in all reality, a symbol of disappointment.
Question #3 - Would you be open to a new symbol? A symbol that won’t fall short. A symbol that makes good on its promises. A symbol that doesn’t just bring hope in this life, but the life to come.
My question is, would you be willing to put your hope in the cross. In the free gift of salvation God offers us through faith in Jesus. A hope that removes the stain of sins in our lives. A hope that renews our spirits. A hope that gives us the strength to move forward. A hope that isn’t tied to the stock market or the cares of this life. A hope that doesn’t depend on a bottle. A hope that fills the relational void. A hope that isn’t just temporal, but eternal.
Are you open to a new symbol? Because if you are, I can’t think of a better day than Easter Sunday to put your hope in Jesus. To make today the day that you walk out of darkness and into the light.
Let’s Pray
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