Jesus’ Cross-Driven Concerns-3 Series

JESUS’ CROSS-Driven CONCERNS-III

Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:17-30; Mat. 27:33-54; Mk. 15:21-39

OR--CONCERNS From The CROSS

Attention:

It’s Missing!

Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, & fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend.

“Watson, look up at the sky & tell me what you see.”

Watson replies, “I see millions of stars.”

“What does that tell you?”

Watson ponders for a minute & then states,...

“Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies & potentially billions of planets.

Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.

Chronologically, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.

Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful & we are small & insignificant.

Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”

“What does it tell you, Holmes?”

Holmes is silent for a moment, then speaks. “Watson, what it tells me is that someone has stolen our tent!”

Watson was oblivious to the obvious fact that his tent was missing!

The Church & Christians can be oblivious to the obvious... that while we bicker about ‘this that or the other thing,’ that there are literally millions of people who do not know Jesus!

We can be so focused on extraneous ‘pressing’ matters that we totally miss the BIG picture!

Likewise, we can be so caught up in the sorrow, & gruesome brutality of the Crucifixion of Christ, that we miss the Cross-work of Christ!

Jesus’ ‘7 Words’ From the Cross:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”—Luke 23:34

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”—Luke 23:43

“Behold your son...”: “behold your mother.”—Jn. 19:26-27

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—Mat. 27:45; Mk. 15:33-34

“I thirst”—Jn. 19:28-29

“It is finished”—Jn. 19:30

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”— Lk. 23:44; Mat. 27:50; Mk. 15:36-38

Need:

To recognize those things which are of greatest significance to our lives & the lives of others.

We have found that A Cross-driven Concern of Jesus is...

1. Your FORGIVENESS(Lk. 23:34)

2. Your DESTINY/Future/Eternity(Lk. 23:43)

3—A Cross-driven Concern of Jesus is...

Your CARE & OBLIGATION(Jn. 19:26-27)

Explanation:(Jn. 19:26-27) Family/Care/Relationships

Jn 19:26—“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, & the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”

Several people stood by the cross of Jesus.”—BECNT

Jesus, knowing He will soon die on the cross, unable to further care for His mother’s needs, surrenders her care to John—the son of Zebedee(Mat. 4:21; Mk. 3:17; Lk. 5:10)—“the disciple whom He loved”—the apostle(Mat. 10:2; Lk. 6:12-16; Acts 1:12-13, 26).

Jn 19:27—“Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”

Evidently Mary’s husband, Joseph is out of the picture. So Jesus has particular obligation as the first-born son to provide care for his mother.

Why was Mary’s care not given to Jesus’ half-brothers or half-sisters?...

Mat. 13:55-56—-(Those who knew Jesus’ family said of Him)-—“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, & Judas? “And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”

Why was Mary entrusted to the apostle John instead?

John was “the disciple whom Jesus loved”(Jn. 13:23; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20).

Jesus knew John’s future & John’s demeanor. Jesus knew his mother would not be neglected spiritually or physically in John’s care!

God’s intent for all people is that they have a compulsion to express tangible concern for those closest to them. Sinners saved by grace are particularly expected to have that compulsion thru the Holy Spirit!

Caring involves inward Humility, Holiness, & Love to express outward Love, Gentleness, Compassion, & Appreciation...Without inward humility before God, no effort of caring can be complete!

We are compelled to pay great nurturing attention to our parents—who have taken on the dutiful inclusions & sacrificial trappings of parenthood. Godly, loving parents intentionally take it upon themselves to bring their children safely to & thru every juncture in life.

Argumentation:

*Ex. 20:12—““Honor your father & your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”

*Eph. 6:1-4—“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father & mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you & you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training & admonition of the Lord.”

*1Tim. 5:3-4, 8, 16—“Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home & to repay their parents; for this is good & acceptable before God.”.....“But if anyone does not provide for his own, & especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith & is worse than an unbeliever.”.....“If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, & do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.”