“COME TO THE CROSS” (A MEMORABLE GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE)
Six Responses To The Cross Of Christ
An Interactive Sermon By Martin Wright
(RESPONSE CARDS: You will want to make sure you have distributed response cards prior to beginning the sermon. Our cards were 5.5” X 8.5”. One side had an image of the cross and the words “Come to the Cross.” The other side read as follows:
Come To The Cross
The cross commands our attention and challenges our spirits. As we examine the responses of various individuals to the cross, think about your own response. Which of the six responses is most like your own this morning? Perhaps the cross evokes another response in you, if so; use the space at the bottom to write out your own response.
_____ The Centurion: Moving From Doubt to Faith. “I’ve been a skeptic when it comes to Jesus, but I’m starting to wonder about him. Maybe he is more than a good teacher. I’d like to get to know more about Jesus.
_____ The Thief: Moving From Sinner To Saint. “I am ready to place my faith in Jesus for my salvation and become a Christian. I want to follow Jesus and be saved.”
_____John: Moving From Friend To Family. “I am already a Christian, but I need to connect with a church family. I would like to become a part of this spiritual family and become a member of this church.”
_____The Bystander: Moving From Spectator To Servant. “It’s time for me to quit sitting on the sidelines and get involved. I want to do something for Jesus. I would like to find an area where I can use my talents and serve the Lord.”
_____Joseph: Moving From Secrecy To Boldness. “I’m a Christian, but I’ve been hoping no one around me would notice. I guess I’ve been afraid of what they might think. I see now, I need to be bolder. I want to publicly declare my faith in Jesus, both in the church and in the world.”
_____Nicodemus: Moving From Spiritual Infancy to Spiritual Maturity. “It’s time for me to take my faith to the next level. I want to learn more and grow deeper and closer to God. I want to get into a study group or discipleship group.”
_____My Own Response:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the conclusion of this message you will have an opportunity to “Come To The Cross” with your response and drop it in the response basket at the foot of the cross. Feel free to kneel to pray around the cross and talk with the Lord about your response if you wish. You are under no obligation to sign this card, however you may want to, especially if you are making a decision for Christ, so that our leadership can pray with you and arrange your baptism. If you would like a member of our staff to follow up with you about your response please write your name and phone number below:
My name:___________________________________________________
My phone number:____________________________________________ )
(CROSS AND BASKET: This sermon works best if you place a large cross on the stage or on the floor at the front of the room. The more accessible the cross the better for the conclusion of the sermon. Before you begin speaking you might drag the cross in or stand it up, we began with a large cross just lying on the ground. You can go a lot of places with this but the key is to be touching the cross as you begin, and throughout the talk. Have a large basket nearby the stage that you can place at the foot of the cross during the response time.)
SERMON:
Introduction: “This Old Cross”
[Lift up the cross and set it in it’s base.]
“I love this old cross. It feels so authentic. Its’ timbers are weathered and grayed with age. Its’ edges are worn down after years of use. And its face bears the scars of the many services in which it’s been used over the past two decades.
I understand that this particular cross was created for an Easter sunrise service in the early eighties. During the outdoor service a young man, acting the part of Jesus, was raised up on this cross wearing the traditional loincloth and little else. The only problem -- the temperature was hovering around freezing that morning. Those who were there tell me it was quite memorable.
If you look close you will see hundreds of tiny nail holes on this cross. On one occasion everyone present nailed black ribbons representing sin to it. Then red ribbons representing the blood that Christ shed to cover our sins were nailed on over the black. Finally, white ribbons were nailed on over the red and black to represent our cleansed condition in Christ.
There are burn marks at the bottom of this cross. A former youth director conducted a service where students nailed cards with the temptations they struggled with to the cross. At the conclusion of his message, he began tearing the cards off and burning them in a metal can he had placed at the bottom. As he did so, the flames shot higher and higher from the can, eventually scorching the wood and filling the sanctuary with smoke.
Yes, this old cross has been through a lot over the years. Today, the cross spends most of its time in the corner of the youth room. It’s not uncommon to see a group of teens kneeling to pray in its’ shadow on any given Thursday night.
Transition: “Everything Changes At The Cross”
The cross is a powerful symbol isn’t it? There’s a reason millions of people have crosses around their homes or around their necks. There’s a reason churches have crosses adorning their steeples and sanctuaries. There’s a reason you’ll find more than thirty crosses throughout our building. And that reason lies in the power of the cross to change lives. You see everything changes at the cross. Who knows, perhaps we may even be changed by the cross today. (PPT SLIDE 1)
So let’s revisit the cross this morning. Lets look at the changes the cross made in the lives of the people who were at the crucifixion. Come to the cross with me and consider the responses of six people who were there. Which of their responses is most like the response you might be ready to make? Reflect on your own response to the cross today and prepare your heart for a time of decision. (PPT SLIDE 2)
1. The Centurion: Moving From Doubt To Faith
(Matt. 27:27-31, 50-54; Luke 23:36-37; John 19:23-24
Consider for a moment the transformation the cross made in the life of the centurion. He was one of the executioners of Jesus. We pick up his story in Matthew 27 and it’s not a very pleasant story. (PPT SLIDE 3)
“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” (Matt. 27:27ff.)
You see the Centurion was a brutal warrior capable of carrying out his orders with sadistic efficiency. This man was no push over. He had probably dealt with criminals for much of his career. By the time Jesus crossed his path, he was likely so jaded that events like this didn’t even faze him. Do you believe he thought, even for a moment, that Jesus might really be the Son of God? Not likely. But all of that was about to change, but not until they had exacted even more humiliation upon Jesus. (PPT SLIDE 4)
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did. (John 19:23ff.)
As if all of this wasn’t enough Luke tells us they took their angry doubt even further. (PPT SLIDE 5)
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” (Luke 23:36 ff.)
Like all crucifixions before it, this was a terrible scene full of terrible cruelty. But this was the crucifixion of Christ. And the cross of Christ changes people. It was an incredible moment; a moving moment; a transforming moment. Jesus, who basically could have had a lifetime exemption from pain and suffering, chose to endure the pain of the cross. As the centurion sat beneath the cross he heard every word Jesus said. He expected cursing and anger. He expected Jesus to beg and plead for mercy. But Jesus didn’t do that. Jesus didn’t fit the mold he had tried to place him in. Jesus wasn’t like anyone he had ever met, ever crucified, or ever heard about. Jesus was asking God to forgive the men who were crucifying him. As if this wasn’t enough to change the Centurions heart, the earth was shaking, rocks were splitting the whole world seemed to be going upside down. The words and events of that moment were so powerful that it moved the centurion from doubt to faith. Listen to how Matthew describes his transformation. (PPT SLIDE 6)
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
(Matt. 27:50ff.)
There doesn’t seem to be any doubt in the Centurions final statement does there. “Surely, he was the Son of God!” What about you? Do you come here this morning with doubts about Jesus? If so I encourage you to stay open to the possibility that Jesus might really be whom he claimed be – God’s son; that he really did what he said he would do – died and rose again; and that his message of hope and forgiveness is real and available to you. The Centurion did not come to the cross as a believer, but after observing Jesus for just a few hours, he was moved from doubt to faith. Is it possible some here might be similarly moved today, as we come to the cross?
You may really be able to identify with the Centurion; then again your response to the cross might be a lot more like the thief’s. (PPT SLIDE 7) We witness his amazing transformation in the book of Luke.
2. The Thief: Moving From Sinner To Saint
(Luke 23:32-33, 39-43)
The thief was unfortunate enough to get caught, again. And the punishment for habitual offenders was death. Some people might argue that this was too harsh a penalty for thievery, but the thief did not make such an argument for himself. In fact, he finds himself arguing for and defending Jesus, instead of himself. Listen to his story. (PPT SLIDE 8)
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
(Luke 23:32 ff.)
Do you know what I find so interesting about that story? Through hours of trials, no witnesses had come forth to defend Jesus. His friend Peter had tried to come to his aid in the garden, but later that night, at the first trial, Peter had abandoned Jesus. His friend John remained an observer, but there is no indication he spoke up to defend Jesus in any of the trials. But now on the cross, a most unlikely witness emerges, proclaiming the innocence of Jesus. A thief. And what a thief. Instead of proclaiming his own innocence with shouts of, “You’ve got the wrong guy” or “I’ve been framed”; he says, “I’m guilty and I’m getting what I deserve.” Here at the end of his life—a selfish life spent taking what he wanted; a life focused totally on his own agenda—he finds himself near the cross of Christ. And unusual things happen at the cross. So able to deceive no longer, he repents. He confesses, “I’m guilty.” Then he begins to reflect on the character and nature of Jesus. He probably looks up and reads that inscription over Jesus’ proclaiming him the king of the Jews. As he considers Jesus, he realizes Jesus is not only innocent of wrongdoing, he is the messiah, and he places his hope in Jesus by saying; (PPT SLIDE 9)
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
and
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:42 ff.)
What a change the cross had brought into the life of the thief. He had arrived at the cross a thief and a sinner, but he leaves the cross a saint, resting with the Savior in paradise. Could the cross cause such a transformation in your life today? Is this the day you might need to repent of your sins, and place your faith, hope and trust in Jesus for salvation? Could you make such a confession--that you believe Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God and accept him as you Lord and as your Savior? Like the thief, are you also ready to be buried with Christ? Would you be buried through baptism, to rise to walk with Jesus everyday, eventually to be with Christ in paradise? If so, be changed at the cross today. Respond to Jesus as the thief did.
[Pause here and place cloth across timbers.]
But perhaps you’ve already given your life to Jesus. Certainly, John had. (PPT SLIDE 10)
3. John: Moving From Friend To Family
(John 19:25-27)
John had given up everything to follow Jesus. No one can doubt his loyalty to Jesus as he boldly stands before the cross a loyal and faithful disciple. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also present. Noticeably absent from the scene is Joseph, who has apparently died. The death of his earthly father has left Jesus, the firstborn son, with the responsibility of caring for Mary. Normally, this responsibility would pass on to the next oldest son, but John 7:5 makes it clear his brothers did not believe in Jesus. (“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”) So Jesus does a remarkable thing, he makes his closest friend an official member of the family. He says, “I need you to take my place in caring for my family.” Listen to how John describes the event in John 19:25: (PPT SLIDE 11)
“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved (John) standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25 ff.)
Isn’t that a touching scene? Jesus invites John to be a part of his family. He entrusts the care and well being of his mother into the hands of a close friend. Perhaps, you, like John, are a long time friend of Jesus. You gave your life to Jesus long ago, but for some reason you have yet to connect with His family. If that’s your situation, then become connected today. Friends become family at the cross. Perhaps your response to the cross today needs to be a response to connect with Christ’s family, the church. Christians were not meant to live alone. It is in community that we care for others and they care for us. Just as John was asked to join Jesus’ family to care for Mary, we are asked to join together to care for one another. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:17, we need to “join with others as we follow Christ.” If this is your response to the cross today, we invite you to join this local assembly of Christians. We invite you to become a part of this spiritual family.
The cross. It’s powerful isn’t it? Already we have seen three lives that were changed at the cross. The cross is like that. It’s hard to watch the cross and be unmoved by what you see. It certainly moved they bystanders who were there. (PPT SLIDE 12)
4. The Bystander: Moving From Spectator To Servant
(John 19:28, Matt 27:47, John 19:30)
Listen to the way one bystander was prompted from inactivity to activity, from spectating to serving: (PPT SLIDE 13)
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28, Matt 27:47, John 19:30)
I just love it when someone sees a need and they meet it. This faceless, nameless spectator could not watch someone suffer and do nothing about it. When Jesus says, “I thirst,” this spectator bypasses the guards, takes on Christ’s need and attempts to meet it.
As you consider the cross this morning, do you feel called to action? Do you sense Christ calling you into an area of service? Does he reveal an area of need to you by his Spirit? Are you being called to move from inactivity to activity? Is it time for you to stop being a spectator and become a servant?
If Christ is calling you to serve today, how will you respond as we come to the cross?
Some of you love to serve, because you can serve unnoticed. But put you in front of people—well that’s just terrifying. If this sounds like you, consider yet another transformation at the cross. (PPT SLIDE 14)
5. Joseph: Moving From Secrecy To Boldness
(Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, John 19:38)
Joseph of Arimathea was pretty quiet about his faith. He was a prominent member of the council and he knew his affiliation with Jesus was politically incorrect. Knowing not everyone wanted to hear about Jesus, he made sure he never pushed his beliefs on anyone else. In fact, you could almost call him a secret Christian. His story is even kind of hidden in the Bible, so we have to put a few pieces together to fully understand the changes the cross brings into his life. (PPT SLIDE 15)
Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. (John 19:38)
Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. (Lk. 23:50) (PPTSLIDE 16)
Now check out his demeanor after the cross.
Joseph of Arimathea…went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (Mark 15:43 ff.)
I’ve been telling you this all morning, but it’s so true: everything changes at the cross! Did you catch those words; “he went boldly to Pilate.” Boldly! Before the cross Joseph was a sheepish lamb when it came to Jesus. After the cross Joseph was a lion. The disciples might have been hiding their relationship with Jesus, but not Joseph. He didn’t care what anyone thought, he boldly and publicly declared his faith in Jesus to and went to Pilate to ask for the body of Christ.
What about you and me? Are we bold in our faith? Are we quick to share our faith with others or are we closet Christians? Perhaps we too need to be changed by the cross. Do you need boldness to share your faith? Do you need to move from secrecy to boldness?
[Pause here and set crown of thorns on cross.]
Jesus once called his followers to “take up their cross.” Seeing the cross like this, it really makes you think about that. As we reflect on the cross let’s consider one final response to the cross. (PPT SLIDE 17)
6. Nicodemus: Moving From Spiritual Infancy To Maturity
(John 3:1-3, 7:46-52, 19:38)
Consider the transformation in the life of Nicodemus. In the beginning he had a lot of questions. He wanted to seek the truth, but in as non-threatening an environment as possible. (PPT SLIDE 18)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:1 ff.)
This raised a lot more questions for Nicodemus. His first conversation with Jesus was all about spiritual infancy. Being born again. He apparently had investigated what Jesus said even further, for when we next see Nicodemus, his faith has definitely matured. Listen to how he has grown sympathetic towards Jesus:
(PPT SLIDE 19)
“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” (John 7:46 ff.)
Growing up is tough. It’s true in our physical lives, and it’s often true in our spiritual lives. Nicodemus had long been a student of scripture, but now he was actually growing closer to Christ, and the more he grew in Christ the more challenges he was facing. A closer walk with Christ would mean changes in the life of Nicodemus. Maturity is like that. Paul once said, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1Corinthians 13:11) The closer we get to Christ the more clearly we see what really matters and what doesn’t. For Nicodemus, a man who had used much of his wealth and influence to maintain a prominent seat on the council, spiritual maturity meant using his resources for Christ and taking a stand, regardless of the consequences. Listen to what Nicodemus grew to be able to do. (PPT SLIDE 20)
“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus…he was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.” (John 19:38 ff.)
One of the hallmarks of maturity is self-sacrifice. Nicodemus has grown tremendously during the time he has known Jesus. In the beginning he would meet with Jesus only in secret. Later he became a soft-voiced advocate for Christ. Now he risks everything to declare his loyalty to Jesus and he sacrifices a fortune in burial spices. Spices he had undoubtedly meant to be used at his own funeral one day. A funeral that would be marked by it’s excess. But now, a mature believer Nicodemus has learned, this life isn’t about me, it’s about Jesus. It’s not about what I can do to honor myself, rather what can I do to honor my King and my Lord. So he gives the best that he has for His Savior. He puts his earthly power and position at risk to honor Jesus. Wow, sometimes I wish I had such faith, such maturity. Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe your experience at the cross is most like that of Nicodemus. Maybe the cross challenges you to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Perhaps you feel called to grow even closer to Christ; to connect with Him on a deeper level. If you feel the call to sacrifice, leadership, and maturity, then respond as Nicodemus did, by taking the next step toward spiritual maturity. Get involved in a deeper life study group or leadership group; join an accountability group or small group. Learn, Grow, Produce Fruit. Mature in your faith today. Come to the cross!
Come to the cross for it can move us from doubt to faith. It challenges us to believe, even today.
Come to the cross for it has the power to changes us from sinner to saint. Perhaps it’s moving you closer to a decision for Christ and baptism.
Come to the cross for it transforms friends into family. Do you need to join an assembly of believers and place your membership with them?
Come to the cross where spectators get involved in service.
Come to the cross where the timid become bold enough to share their faith and get involved in evangelism.
Come to the cross and move towards spiritual maturity. Strengthen your faith through discipleship.
Come to the cross this morning.
(Pause with your hand on the cross and begin to pray)
Lord,
We thank you for the cross. Your death on the cross and your resurrection from the grave changed everything. It changed history. It changed spirituality. It changed everyone who was there and it changes us today. Be with now as we come to the cross. –Amen
When you arrived this morning you received a response card. Perhaps your response to the cross is similar to one of the ones we discussed this morning, perhaps its something different. If you’ve not done so already, please take a moment to read the response card and indicate which response is most like your own. You do not have to sign your card, but you may find you want to, especially if you wish for someone to follow up with you or pray for you. As the music plays, think about your response and write it down. When you are ready, step out and come to the cross. Place your response card in the basket at the foot of the cross and pick up one of the white “After The Cross” sheets. If you feel led, you may even take a moment to kneel and pray at the cross.
Come to the cross this morning.
(PPT SLIDE 21)
Come To The Cross
Please feel free to bring your card to the cross at this time. When you deposit your card in the box, please pick up one of the white “After The Cross” sheets. If you desire, you may pause to pray at the cross or return to your seat.
(RE: After The Cross Sheet. Our sheet was meant to give people a next step after the service. We synchronized new programming with the event. We also had set up a resource center with free resources for people to take, which related to their response. For instance, if someone indicated they needed to move from doubt to faith we encouraged them to attend our Wednesday evening “Faith Under Fire” study. We also provided free copies of the books “The Case For Faith” and “The Case For Christ.” Every response included some opportunity for additional teaching and follow up as well as some hands on resource people could take home. A collection of Bible passages relating to each response was also included on the sheet. The response was amazing. How awesome it was to see nearly the entire congregation on their knees in prayer at the front of the church!)
