ON THE ROAD TO THE CROSS - PART 6
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: The Intersection of Life & Death
Main Scripture: Luke 23:26-49; Matthew 28:1-10
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
We’ve come to the end of the road, where Jesus would be crucified. Pastor Ryan took us to Luke 23 where we see Jesus endure the cross but not without saving and showing mercy. On the cross meant to kill Jesus, He defies its purpose and saves a criminal who in his own way repents. The love of God cannot be stopped, even on the cross Jesus is still saving, still forgiving, and still drawing sinners to Himself. Before Jesus died, He peacefully committed His Spirit to His Father. It was finished. Jesus succumbed to the cross and finished His work. The earth responded, the rocks cried out. An earthquake and darkness came over the land. The temple curtain tore in half from the top down. A centurion was moved by all these events, especially Jesus, and declared Jesus was the righteous Son of God. Jesus’ body was removed from the cross and carried to a tomb. Was the cross a dead? It seemed like it. There was great sorrow and even the women who followed Jesus to the crucifixion were prepared to visit His body at the tomb on Sunday morning. But to their surprise, upon their visit to the tomb, the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not there. It was on this third day, that Jesus rose to life! Jesus is alive! At the intersection of life and death, Jesus was life and He was triumphant! Jesus rose again proving He had conquered sin and death. When we encounter Jesus we are offered life instead of death. Today, Pastor Ryan encouraged us to choose Jesus…to choose life.
Notes:
We’ve come to the cross, an intersection of life and death for Jesus and for us. Jesus was sentenced to be crucified, beaten, mocked, and now on the final leg to His crucifixion and grave.
Teaching
V. 26 Simon of Cyrene
Jesus was scourged by whips and beaten so badly that He was unable to carry the cross any further so the Romans seized Simon to carry it for Him. There was possibly something deeper going on here. The guilty were required to carry their cross to their own crucifixion, but Jesus does not finish this task, possibly pointing to the fact that He wasn’t guilty.
Biblical historians have connected the dots that Simon was from Africa and probably traveled over 800 miles to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Little did Simon know that at this intersection with Christ his life would change forever. We have good reason to believe that Simon was converted because of this encounter with Jesus. Mark refers to Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus in his book, implying they became part of the family of God. Paul mentions a Rufus in Romans 16:13.
Simon and his family found life in the midst of this deadly day.
V. 27-31 The grieving women
Jesus doesn’t want them to grieve for Him but grieve for themselves because their people and city are in trouble. Future judgment is coming and if you think this is bad just wait. Warren Wiersbe says, “If the Roman authorities do this to One who is innocent, what will they do to you who are guilty?” While Jesus was there it was like a green tree, but when He is gone it will become a dry tree, easily burned and judged.
In AD 70 the Romans persecuted the Jews so badly that they were better off if they were not pregnant and had no children because starvation and violence were severe.
Here is Jesus still concerned for His people on His way to the cross.
V. 32-33 Jesus on Calvary between two criminals
The hill that Jesus was to be crucified on was called the Skull because it resembled a skull. It has been translated as “Calvary” in Latin and Greek and “Golgotha” in Hebrew/Aramaic.
There are no dramatic details in the actual crucifixion of Jesus. All four gospels simply and factually say something about nailing Jesus to the cross or there they crucified Him.
The Greek word used for robbers here (Matt. 27:38) means “one who uses violence to rob openly.” It is likely that these criminals were guilty of an armed robbery involving murder.
Between these two men is the perfect, sinless, Son of God. The Holy God was willing to be identified in the middle of the wickedness of our world (the criminals) so He could bring us to salvation.
V. 34 Jesus’ first words on the cross: Father forgive them…
No other Gospel book highlights these words of Jesus. We see here once again the mercy of Jesus, but now on the cross, praying for His murderers and for us…Jesus was fulfilling Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
“Those responsible for the crucifixion know what they are doing to Jesus, but they do not know what God is doing through Jesus, including praying for their forgiveness. The redemptive and self-sacrificing love of the Father that is demonstrated in the cross surpasses even their evil and envelops them in prayer.” Edwards, J. R. (2015). The Gospel according to Luke (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 688). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
These are powerful words because all the Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Now, the spotless, unblemished lamb of God is paying the penalty for sins and declaring the forgiveness of sins at the same time, something no animal could do. Jesus was the sufficient sacrifice for all of mankind's sins.
V. 35-38 Mocking Jesus on the cross
I am reminded of Paul’s word in 1 Corinthians 1…18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God...God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
V. 39-43 The criminal’s response to Christ
The second time Jesus talks on the cross
The faith of the other criminal is incredible. He just listened to the mocking of religious leaders, the soldiers, and the other criminal. In his correction of the other criminal, He is confessing Jesus as innocent but that he is guilty. He looks to Jesus, who is dying on the cross, and has the faith that Jesus has the power to save him and bring him into eternity.
Jesus accepts this man’s words as confession and faith and promises His place in heaven.
Plummer reminds us that “some saw Jesus raise the dead and did not believe. The robber sees him being put to death, and yet believes.” For the unrepentant criminal, Jesus must come down from the cross to save (v. 39); for the penitent criminal Jesus must remain on the cross and fulfill his divine duty to save. The petition of the penitent criminal is a witness that Jesus’ death is not a defeat but a means of salvation. Edwards, J. R. (2015). The Gospel according to Luke (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 691–692). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
V. 44-46 Darkness for 3 hours, the curtain was torn and Jesus trusts His Spirit into God’s hands…
The curtain torn means we have direct access to the Father. Jesus is our sufficient sacrifice who died once for all sin. His pure, eternal, and sinless blood was enough for all mankind, for all time. Jesus is now our most holy priest pleading for us so we no longer need a human priest to intercede for us nor do we perform animal sacrifices.
These would be his last words on the cross (“It is finished” is recorded in John). Psalm 31:5 is quoted here. “This was actually a bedtime prayer used by Jewish children, and it tells us how our Lord died: confidently, willingly, and victoriously” (Wiersbe, pg 138).
V. 23:47-49 The centurion believes and worships God
Could this be the first convert after the cross and death of Christ? In the other gospels, the soldier says, “surely He was the son of God.”
I’m reminded of John 12:32 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
The Burial
Joseph of Arimathea and some of the women would take down Jesus’ body from the cross before the sabbath and have him placed in a tomb. What would be going through their minds?
Was the cross a dead-end for Jesus? Was Jesus not their beloved Messiah who would reign forever? Sorrow and silence fell on all of Jesus’ followers. The next 24 hours would be very difficult…
Jesus said to His skeptics and followers when He was with them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up…”
Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:20; 22 “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy….You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy…”
In their grief, these words were forgotten…
Matthew 28:1-10 NLT But then the third day came…
Why do the crucifixion and resurrection mean so much to us?
Jesus died so we can be forgiven. Jesus rose again so we could have new life and life after death.
The crucifixion is the sufficient payment for all our sin, the resurrection is proof that it worked. When God raised Jesus to life it was His approval of Jesus' sacrifice for us. And because Jesus rose to life, all who believe have the assurance of life after death. (Romans 4:24-25 NLT)
The cross was an instrument for death. The tomb was a place for the dead. But the power of Christ's blood overcame them both! What was meant for death, God used it to save and bring life! Hallelujah!
The blood of Christ is still saving and God is still resurrecting lives into new life…We have a special testimony to show you how God is still saving, still working today…
Where do we go from here?
At this intersection of life and death, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death for us. Jesus is the way, truth, and life. Jesus offers life, eternal life!
At the intersection of the cross and the empty tomb, we are given a choice…All who can hear this message are aware now of what God has done for you. I pray this plea today is the Holy Spirit compelling you to believe and trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life?
Church
We’ve come today to remember and celebrate what Jesus has done for us… But Jesus said our grief would turn to joy and nothing could rob us of this joy. May we return to where our true joy comes from, a joy that is incorruptible by any circumstance, trial, or forces in this world. Our joy comes from knowing God and the promise of our eternal inheritance. Don't let anything rob you of this joy. May God restore the joy of your salvation this Easter.
We must not be quiet about this good news of Easter. We’re reminded today to fulfill the Easter mandate, “come and see…go and tell…” Today, may our hearts return to the glory of the cross and empty tomb, and may we be energized by the Holy Spirit to GO and share this good news.
Discussion:
What portion of Luke 23:26-49 ministers to you and why?
What did Jesus demonstrate on the cross?
Why are the cross and resurrection so important to the Christian faith?
The power of the cross and the resurrection is still working today. What do you want to see God do in your life or in this world?
How can we live grateful for the blood and the empty tomb?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!