The Way to the Cross

Intro

Sometimes names can be deceiving:

Best man (why is she marrying that guy?), buffalo wings (not actually from a buffalo), funny bone (not funny… unless it happens to someone else), etc.

Good Friday can seem like a misnomer as well

What is good about the day where we remember, lament and grieve the suffering and death of Jesus upon the cross?

We will do these things, but the day is still Good (convinced of why by the end of sermon)

Pray

The Lament of the Cross

Lament the terrible physical pain, shame and death of the cross

Jesus was whipped

Crown of thorns placed on his head

Led to shame and pain

Forced to carry his own cross

Just the cross section

So fatigued from everything that Simon of Cyrene was conscripted to help

Nailed to the cross

Sometimes used ropes; nails for Jesus

Likely naked; shame in the extreme

Hung on the cross until he breathed his last breath

Fatigue and pain would eventually cause the person to sag down, and not be able to breathe

A terrible death to die, and a public spectacle

Lament the unjust nature of the cross (not guilty, but innocent)

This was terrible for anyone to endure, but even more so for Jesus who did not deserve ANY of it

Crucifixion used to make point as well as punish

Reserved for traitors, rebels and criminals of the worst sort

Hanging between 2 criminals, one recognizes the unjustice of the moment

Read verses 39 - 42

This should move us to lament as well; Jesus willingly suffered and endured all of this, even though He did not deserve it

The Heart of the Cross

Jesus displays His heart for others all the way to the cross

Compassion for the “daughters of Jerusalem”

Group of supporters following Him in deep lament; many women

Even facing imminent death, Jesus laments for those who are weeping for Him (v. 28 - 31)

Jesus is referring to the seige of Jerusalem (A.D. 70)

The suffering will be so great that people will be glad to have no children, and cry out for the hills to fall on them

Jesus is referring to Hosea 10:8.

His last saying is a proverb; meaning is muddy and unclear

One possible explanation: If the innocent Jesus suffered like this, what will be the fate of the guilty Jews?

The point is driven home using green/dry wood

*Trying to start a fire before people arrive*

You think it’s bad now; wait until the time to come

Forgiveness for those driving the nails into his hands and feet (v. 34)

How hard would it be to offer forgiveness to the people actively putting you to death?!

Jesus knew that this was part of God’s bigger plan (even though they did not)

Beyond this, the ability to forgive enemies is truly a characteristic of God

Our ability to truly forgive is evidence at God at work within us

*Cliff and Wilma Derksen forgiving daughter Candace’s murderer*

Hope for a criminal rightfully condemned to death

Jesus was in the middle of criminals who deserved death, even though He didn’t (v. 41)

One railed against Him, selfishly demanding that He help save him (mocking Him as well)

The other showed fear in God and faith in Jesus: “remember me when you come into your kingdom” (v. 42)

What faith! Even with BOTH hanging on a cross, the criminal believed

Jesus responded to the faith of the guilty man by giving a message of hope: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43)

He didn’t need to do this; the man was guilty, sinful and could do nothing in life to change that fact

Jesus did it anway, proving on the cross that there is hope for all

This is the heart of Jesus - the heart of the cross - for you today

Compassion for all who are grieving and mourning

The heart of Christ broke at the coming struggle for the daughters of Jerusalem

The heart of Christ breaks when you are also overwhelmed with sorrow and grief

*This is my first Good Friday without Mom; It means so much to know that Jesus shares my tears*

Forgiveness to those who have opposed or resisted God

Collectively, we all share some responsibility in the death of Jesus

We didn’t put the nails in His hands and feet, but our sin required that He endure the pain of the cross

This is the Good News: Jesus freely offers us forgiveness, even when our hands are still on the hammer

He doesn’t wait for us to do better, or to believe rightly. Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone, even those who are opposed and seem far from God

Have you accepted the forgiveness of Jesus on the cross?

Hope for each of us rightfully condemned to death

Likewise, the criminal hanging next to Jesus did nothing in his life to earn or merit eternal life

He was guilty; He was dying; He was still given hope

Once you have accepted the forgiveness of Jesus, the hope found in Him alone is yours as well

Grab hold of it by faith! Trust that the promise is good

Which is why we can call this day Good Friday

The Way to the Cross

The way to the cross for Jesus was full of shame, pain and death

He endured it all so that our way to the cross could be radically different

Because of Jesus, our way to the cross is full of compassion, forgiveness and hope

You are invited forward to remember the cross:

Remember all of what Jesus endured

Remember all of what Jesus freely gives to you

Lead communion and pray