sf506 - THE HIGHWAY TO HOPE - PART 5 -The CrossRoad of Eternity (Mar 15 21-41)
Mark 15:15-32
INTRODUCTION
The Highway to Hope has reached a CROSS-ROAD!
Did Jesus really have to die?
Was the Cross a tragedy or a triumph?
Did Jesus die in vain or in victory?
Paul provides our answer….
Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
The songwriter put it to music…
The Way of the Cross Leads Home
I must need go home by the way of the cross, There’s no other way but this; I shall ne’er get sight of the gates of light, If the way of the cross I miss!
Calvary is the CROSSROADS of History and Eternity.
1A. THE PLACE OF THE CROSS (15:22)
“Golgotha” = (Hebrew) the place of the skull
1B. The place of the cross was a place of sacrifice
Golgotha was located about one mile outside of Jerusalem. It was necessary that the sacrifice take place outside the city.
Hebrews 13:11-12 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
2B. The place of the cross was a place of shame
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),
3B. The place of the cross was a place of significance
It had been prophesied in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."
It had been pictured by Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14)
Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided."
It had been perpetuated by the Passover
Exodus 12:13-14 'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 'So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.
God had planned this day for all eternity! (Revelation 13:8)
2A. THE PEOPLE AT THE CROSS
1B. The scoffers
The Roman soldiers (15:16-20)
Ø They refused to recognize Him as Lord.
The regular people (15:29-30)
Ø They refused to receive His Word.
The religious leaders (15:31-32)
Ø They rejected His salvation.
2B. The saints
Those who had ministered to Christ (15:40-41)
Those who had ministered with Christ (John 19:26-27)
3B. The seekers
Simon of Cyrene (15:21)
Ø He came to be a by-stander, but he left as a believer.
Ø Sons become well known in the Church.
The Thief on the other cross (Luke 23:39-43)
Ø One man died in sin, one man died to sin, and one man died for sin!
Ø He came there condemned to die, but he left with eternal life!
The Centurion (15:39)
Ø He came to do his job, but he left with a new joy.
Were You There…
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
3A. THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS (Isaiah 53:4-6)
1B. To cure human sickness (53:4a)
“Griefs” = malady, anxiety, calamity: - disease, grief, (is) sick (‑ness).
Physical sickness
Spiritual sickness
Ø We live in a “sin sick” world
Ø The greatest sickness is not AIDS, cancer, or heart disease it is SIN!
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.
2B. To comfort human sorrow (53:4b)
“Sorrows” = anguish or (fig.) affliction: - grief, pain, sorrow.
3B. To cleanse human sinfulness (53:5)
His death was vicarious and victorious.
His death is both sufficient and efficient.
4B. To conquer human straying (53:6-9)
He was speechless (53:7a)
He was selfless (53:7b)
He was sinless (53:9b)
5B. To complete heaven’s standards (Hebrews 10:10-12)
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small, Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me your all in all… For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white, In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb…
Application
Today you stand at the CROSS-ROAD with Jesus.
What will you do?
Which way will you go?
He calls you to come to Him! He calls you to come to the Cross…
Down at the Cross
Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where by cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to His name… Come to this fountain so rich and sweet, Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet; Plunge in today and be made complete; Glory to His name!
How can you know if God is calling you to salvation?
“… Are you a sinner? Do you feel it? Has God the Holy Spirit made you feel that you are a lost sinner? Do you want salvation? …. If you have a desire to be saved, a desire given you of the Holy Spirit, that desire is a token for good. If you have begun believingly to pray for salvation, you have therein a sure evidence that you are saved. Christ was punished for you. And if now you can say,
“Nothing in my hands I bring
simply to the cross I cling,”
You may be as sure you are God’s elect as you are sure of your own existence; for this is the infallible proof of election — a sense of need and a thirst after Christ.” (C.H. Spurgeon, “The Death of Christ”)
Mark 15:15-32
1A. THE _____________________ OF THE CROSS (15:22)
1B. The place of the cross was a place of ______________ (Hebrews 13:11-12)
2B. The place of the cross was a place of _____________ (Galatians 3:13)
3B. The place of the cross was a place of _________________________
It had been prophesied in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:15)
It had been pictured by Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14)
It had been perpetuated by the Passover (Exodus 12:13-14)
2A. THE ____________________________ AT THE CROSS
1B. The __________________________
The Roman soldiers (15:16-20)
The _________________________ people (15:29-30)
The _________________________ leaders (15:31-32)
2B. The _______________________________
Those who had ministered to Christ (15:40-41)
Those who had ministered with Christ (John 19:26-27)
3B. The ____________________________
Simon of Cyrene (15:21)
The _____________ on the other cross (Luke 23:39-43)
The Centurion (15:39)
3A. THE ______________ OF THE CROSS (Isaiah 53:4-6)
1B. To cure human ________________________ (53:4a)
Physical sickness
Spiritual sickness
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.
2B. To comfort human ___________________ (53:4b)
3B. To cleanse human ______________________ (53:5)
His death was vicarious and victorious.
His death is both sufficient and efficient.
4B. To conquer human ____________________ (53:6-9)
He was speechless (53:7a)
He was ______________________________ (53:7b)
He was sinless (53:9b)
5B. To complete heaven’s _________________________ (Hebrews 10:10-12)