His Crucifixion Series

“Eight Unique Characteristics of Jesus”

“His Crucifixion”

2 Corinthians 5:19; Isaiah 53

When you read Matthew chapter 21 you find the account of Jesus entering into Jerusalem in what is often been called the triumphal procession – it’s the event that is celebrated in churches usually the Sunday before Easter, which is known as Palm Sunday. Now in Matthew 21 I want to draw our attention to verse 10, where it says: "And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying ’WHO IS THIS?’. So the multitudes said, ’This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’"

Note - "The whole city was moved". That word "moved or stirred" is a word used in other places in the New Testament to describe the shaking that takes place when there is an earthquake. In other words, the city was shaken by the entry of Jesus. The city was alive with excitement. Excitement was in the air. The passage states, that all of Jerusalem said: "Who is this?" as the multitudes with Him proclaimed His coming to the Holy City with shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.” It literally was a triumphal procession.

It was Sunday - the first day of the week. BUT by the end of that week the acclamation would turn to accusations, the accusations would turn into an arrest, an arrest would then lead to a trial and the trial would lead to a crucifixion.

These people in Jerusalem had seen Him work miracles - they’d heard Him teach with authority - they were drawn to Him - and so, no doubt, as they celebrated His coming into Jerusalem they were quite sure that He was the awaited Messiah, and that He was coming to the capital now to lead a revolution to overthrow the Roman oppressors. But what happened? Instead of rallying support for a revolution, instead of challenging the Romans, Jesus went straight to the Temple and challenged the Jewish leaders. NOT a good political move - NOT a good start to the revolution. The multitude was still with Him at this stage, but He clearly wasn’t doing what was expected of the Messiah.

Jesus then went outside Jerusalem to Bethany where He stayed while He taught on the Mount of Olives. He returned on Thursday to eat the Last Supper with His disciples. But all week long the Jewish leaders had been scheming and lobbying the city against Him. In the middle of the night He was arrested by the mob in the Garden of Gethsemane, dragged before Annas the High Priest, then before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. All this examining and cross-examining took place through the early hours of the morning (Jesus hadn’t slept for at least 24 hours). Then, when they felt it was a reasonable enough hour of the morning, Jesus was brought to Pontius Pilate (the Roman Governor) for his rubber stamp approval on what the Jewish leaders had determined should happen. The accusations they made before Pilate were that Jesus was plotting against Rome - treason punishable by death. Pilate was reluctant - he could smell a rat. He said: "I find no fault in this man". But finally he relented to appease the locals, and the crucifixion was ordered. By late afternoon Jesus was dead.

Now before we continue, there is a question I want to ask that I asked about 50 people back in 2005 on a Sunday evening over in the old Sanctuary. The question is WHO was responsible for Jesus dying on the Cross? Some us will say well I know the answer to that it was the Romans? Pontius Pilate? The Jewish mob? How bout Herod? I know Judas Iscariot? Or was it Satan himself? Some of you are saying come on Bro. Travis that’s easy it was US! Right? For all of sinful mankind - for if it weren’t for our sin He would not have needed to die. That’s right. TRULY I agree with all those answers, there were many hands that had a part in holding the hammer which pounded the nails in Jesus’ hands. But what I’m asking this morning is: Who was ULTIMATELY responsible for Jesus going to the Cross? Whose idea was it? Who was the mastermind behind the cross? Who was the ‘ARCHITECT’ of the Cross? TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:19.

“GOD was, in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself . . .” Who was in charge of the events taking place on that little hill called Calvary that day? The answer may shock you but it was GOD HIMSELF. It was His idea. To prove this I want you to look with me at these amazing facts that the Word of God declares.