The Crucifixion of Christ

The Crucifixion of Christ

FCF: Lack of Appreciation for the Sacrifice of Christ; Don't know the narrative

Introduction:

Crucifixion was a method of execution often attributed to the Roman government for those who commited the worst of crimes. The person to be crucified would be nailed to a cross alive and subjected to suffering to his death.

Such was the case with Jesus. The exception to this execution is that Jesus was innocent of any crime. He was suffering at the hands of the Roman government at the behest of the Jewish sanhedrin council.

Matthew 27:1-2 says, "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor."

When you think of the crucifixion of Jesus, what do you think of? Do you recognize the extent of our Lord's sacrifice?

What is your level of appreciation of the death of Christ? If you have not began to respect the sacrifice of Jesus and honor Him for His sacrifice you are in a grave condition and must come to the realization of its worth.

Proposition: Christ endured the horror of the cross so that we didn't have to die as sinners

Transition:

Since we have established the innocence of Jesus let us view the crucifixion of Jesus closer by beginning with The Setting of the Crucifixion . . .

The Setting of the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:45)

Calvary, Golgotha is familiar to the many of us who have read, sang and heard sermons regarding the cross.

It was dark but it was not dark at Calvary alone. The text says,"there was darkness over all the land" Luke speaks of the darkness being over "all the earth"

we must be careful to note that the death of Christ affected all of the world not just some of it. The Calvary event took precedence over all of creation.

All of nature began to witness and acknowledge the very work of Christ on the cross

the sun stopped shinning, in the middle of the day (protested)

the earth quaked (vs 51)

rocks split open (vs 51)

graves opened (vs 52)

dead people arose and began witnessing

the setting of the Crucifixion tells us that there was more power in the death of Jesus than there was in all of the living.

Calvary was gloomy but it was not the end. It looked bad but it wasn't over.

Illus: I was watching a basketball game sometime ago and the from the beginning of the game the team I was rooting for was being blown out in the first quarter. The commentators and the fans were astounded at the fact that the coach just sat there and wouldn't call a time out. The team closed the gap by the end of the game and went on to win the it. When the coach was interviewed after the game, he was asked why he didn't call a timeout when their opponents were leading in the first quarter. His response was, "well, we came with a plan and we still had three more quarters to play, there was no need to panic in the first quarter. We knew it looked bad but we also knew our strategy would work"

So it is with us, when it seems we are losing just remember it is not over, do not panic, you are still in it. It may look bad but Jesus has a plan.

Application:

Face your darkest hour trusting the power of Jesus. Know that nothing is too difficult for Him. Jesus has more power than your situation, your circumstance, your problem, your condition. Don't give up because of how things may look. Just trust the power of Jesus over those things. Don't quit because you don't think your life is where it ought to be. Trust the power of Jesus.

Transition:

The setting of the Crucifixion must ever be a reminder of power of Christ in the lives of believers. We must also take into account The Suffering in the Crucifixion . . .

The Suffering in the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:46-49)

There was physical suffering

Jesus had been beat and tormented (Luke 23:22)

Jesus had been mocked & spat on (Matthew 27:27-31) (Mark 15:16-20) (John 19:2-3)

Jesus was marched up the this hill (Matthew 27:31-32) (Mark 15:21) (Luke 23:26) (John 19:17)

Hands were nailed

Feet were nailed

He was in bad shape physically

There was spiritual suffering (vs 46)

"My God, My God Why hast thou forsaken me"

This moment was a portrayal of the humanity of Christ, he was both divine and human.

He knew no sin throughout His entire life but it was at this point while on the cross he bore the weight of sin of all the world

He suffered from the burdens of our sins

sin causes separation and emptiness

loneliness

where were those whom he had healed

Bartimaeus

the lame man

There was suffering from ridicule (vs 49)

Even at this moment there were bystanders who taunted Him

They were unable to appreciate the moment of deliverance & Salvation

Illus: In baseball, there is something referred to as a sacrifice hit. This is where a player comes to bat while a teammate is on base and hits the ball in such a manner that it forces the opponent to direct his attention upon him and throw him out, while his teammate rounds the bases safely.

That's exactly what happen on Calvary. Jesus placed all the attention on himself by bearing all of our sins so that we can make it home safely. Look Christ knows what you feel because he took the hit for you. All of our sins laid upon Him. He has felt the struggle you have felt, because He made the sacrifice. He has endured the separation sin causes for you because He made the sacrifice.

Transition:

1 Peter 3:18

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

Application:

Give your life to Christ because He gave His life for you. If Jesus can do all this for us. It ought be worth it to give our lives to Him. Ask yourself right now. Is it worth it. Is the suffering Christ endured for me worth me surrendering myself to Him. Christ did it so that we wouldn't have to. Paul says, "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). Look beloved, it is worth it. But let us also consider, The Significance of the Crucifixion . . .

The Significance of the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:50)

His death, to the Jews, who plotted to have Him crucified signified what they thought was their victory over Him

They thought they had Him

They schemed and believed the scheme worked

His death to the believer signifies His victory over sin

It signifies the door of eternal life for those who believe and accept Him as Saviour

It signifies His Grace!!

Look at what Romans 5:21 says,

" That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Isaiah says it this way, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:

The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

1 What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain:

O precious is the flow

that makes me white as snow;

no other fount I know;

nothing but the blood of Jesus.