Our Focus The Cross

Our focus the cross

Matthew 27: 38 – 43

I’m a people watcher. When traveling, a layover at the Airport is not a point of misery---but an opportunity to observe the differences in people--- the way they look, the way they dress, their fashion statements--- Parents dealing with children, families traveling together---- seeing their JOY and Excitement--- transfers to those around them--- and we all become a little more joyful as we travel.

Today we are going to talk about Jesus and the Cross upon which HE died. But we are going to look at the people who were standing by and watching Jesus and the two thieves’ die---

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THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders,[a] said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel,[b] let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.[c] 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

While Jesus was being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem and out to be Crucified--- Did He look into the eyes of those who lined the streets--- Did He see them--- as they cursed Him, spit upon Him, Laughed at Him, did He see them--- or was He so overcome by their expressions of Hatred and Bitterness that He could not look upon the Creation turning on the Creator…..

Something like the mad scientist creates---- and then the Monster turns on its creator and kills him…..

As we read Matthew’s account of what is taking place--- we see the Authorities Mocking Jesus as He was hanging on the Cross. There the Son of God was dying and the members of the Sanhedrin were shouting at Jesus to Save Himself….. Come Down from the Cross--- And we will believe You..

The Miracles Jesus performed were NOT enough for them to believe. The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead was NOT enough--- HOWEVER, IF YOU come down from the Cross--- THEN we’ll believe in YOU. If they didn’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God before He was Nailed to the Cross--- why would they believe in Him if He came down.

I doubt very seriously that if He had come down they would have believed--- after all IT was a TRICK---- BLACK MAGIC of sorts…..

Then there were others who were shouting “You who destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! IF you are the Son of God, come down from the cross”

Have you ever stopped and thought for just a minute or two about what Jesus was thinking when His fellow countrymen were mocking Him. Treating Him with little if any RESPECT!

Did Jesus see some of the same faces who only a few days earlier Welcomed Him as the Conquering Hero into the City of Jerusalem? Now these same faces were defaming Him, mocking Him, jeering Him, and seeking His Death…. Oh, how His heart must have been breaking.

I wonder about what images were racing through His mind and memory---- as these insults were being hurled at Him --- AS HE was in such agony--- What was on His Mind…..?

As the Pain, the Agony and Stress on His body began to take hold, Did He think of the Beginning of Time---- When He and His Heavenly Father created the Universe--- the Stars, the Planets, the Cosmos--- Did Jesus reflect on the Creation of the Earth--- Did He think of how He had formed the Earth in His hands--- how the Seas were made, and the Mountains were formed. Did He think of the Birds of the air as He watched them flying over His Bloody Body.

Did He remember the day when He took a lump of clay and formed Man. Was He remembering how each tiny bone was made, the muscles and ligaments which held the structure of the human body together---. As Jesus watched clinched fists being shaken at Him, did He think of how He created the Human Hand, and now how that wonderful hand was used to DRIVE the NAILS into His own hands. And as He is hanging on the Cross, these marvelous hands are being used as expressions Anger and Hatred toward Him.

Was He remembering walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden---- or the day when Adam and Eve fell from Grace.