Nailed To The Cross

(Slide 1) Our main text for this morning is found in John’s gospel, chapter 19 and beginning with verse 18 we read:

(Slide 2) There they crucified him. There were two others crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

(Slide 3) The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. Then the leading priests said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘the King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written. It stays exactly as it is.” John 19:18-22 (NLT)

In a recent conversation, a friend reminded me as we talked about forgiveness, that when someone was crucified, the charges against him (or her) were nailed to the cross so that it was made public as to the reason for the crucifixion.

In our main text, we read that Pilate, against the objection of the leading priests of that day, had written the charge for which Jesus was crucified. It was for being ‘King of the Jews.’

As I reflected on my conversation with my friend, a retired minister, I thought, ‘If I were to be crucified for my sins, what would be posted on my cross?’

In your hand, this morning is a half-sheet of paper that is for you and you alone. It is your confessional, if you will, for this morning that you will have some time to fill out after the video clip that we will see in a moment.

It is entitled, ‘The Cross.’ It shows various images of Jesus and the Cross throughout human history and from a couple of different cultures. Then, it will switch gears and show some words that we need to think about that are ‘nailed’ the cross.

Then it will conclude with some great truths about the results of Christ’s death that we all need to remember.

After the video, you will have sometime to write down on your half-sheet what you believe you need to confess to the Lord today. A song will be playing as we write and when the song is done, the writing will be done.

(Slide 4) Video clip from Christianity Today called ‘The Cross.’

Now let’s take some time for prayer and reflection and write out what you believe you need to write out to the Lord as we listen to the song, ‘You Have Been So Good,’ by Lenny LeBlanc. (Slide 5)

As we move toward Communion this morning, let’s change our focus from confession to praise and thanksgiving by watching a clip that was shown in the sermon series I preached a while back, ‘Making Prayer Your Second Language.’ Let us be thankful to God for the forgiveness of our sins and the other things as they appear on the screen. (Slide 6)

As we prepare for communion, (Slide 7) we do so, with both clear hearts and thankful hearts. Amen…