As with all my sermons no sermon is original, there may be some material for other sources through the years.
Title: The Meaning of the Cross
Theme: To try to understand the meaning of the cross through the last sayings of
Jesus
Text: Luke 23:32-34
Luk 23:32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Introduction
The cross. What is the meaning of the cross. We look at it. We see it represented in many places and many forms. But we must ask what does it mean. It is a universal symbol that has never been the same. You go around this world and people see one association to the cross.
In the Old Testament is was a cruse to did by the cross. But today it is different. The cross. Today as we look at the last words of Jesus let us allow him to answer for us, “The meaning of the Cross.
As you put the events of the crucifixion together in the gospels you come to see that there are seven last sayings of Jesus. Seven things that were said as he was hanging on this cross. In each one he described to us and gave us the answer to the question “What is the meaning of the Cross?”
Two sections: 1) For others first three
2) For self last four for self
For others:
Suffering is a great test of character. What one does during suffering is the sign of ones character. Jesus first thought was not for him but for others.
I. Intercession and forgiveness
Luke 23: 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
It would seem from here that the purpose of the cross was a means of intercession and forgiveness. Without this there was no way that God could forgive these men or any other person that committed sin. But with the cross the Father, through the Son, can now look down and offer forgiveness for their sins.
Before this statement would mean nothing. It would actually go against the very nature of God to forgive man with out some kind of sacrifice. God cannot turn his head to sin. God cannot look the other way but if there is a way that the sin can be covered up. If there is a way that the sin can be wiped away. If there is a way that the sin could be changed then he could forgive and forget. This is what the cross has done.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the
spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was
numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12 ASV)
Jesus is not only making the way but he is offering it up. He is fulfilling his own words as said in:
Pray for them that persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 ASV)
Jesus here shows who is father is.
Then Jesus shows that he was an advocate.
Then we see the answer, very speedily.
2 Questions
1) Have you been forgiven?
2) Do you forgive?
II. A life of eternity with Christ
Luke 23:39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
It was quite evidence from Mt 27:44 and Mark 15:32 that these thieves were cursing Christ and degrading him from the beginning. But something happened to one. As this thief looked at the compassion and forgiveness of Christ as he saw who he was and realized it he wanted forgiveness.
The man was converted
1) He had an honest confession vs. 41
2) He declared the Lord’s divinity.
3) He knew that the soul after death still lived “Remember me”.
Then the Lord gave him a swift reply.
1) Shows us that there is no such thing as purgatory, “Today you shall be with me in paradise”
2) Explains what paradise is. “with me”
3) Shows us that there is no sleep theory. He said today. As soon as they both had died they would be together.
What we see.
1) Salvation by faith only
2) A minimal amount of knowledge to be a Christian.
3) Heaven is attainable even if the one is knocking on the gates of hell.
4) Conversion is sudden and quick.
5) A swiftness of growth, he knew automatically.
6) There is hope for all.
7) We must not downgrade death-bed repentance’s.
III. A New look at Family Values (Also a showing of unselfishness)
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
We see that Jesus’ thoughts was still toward the caring of his family. He knew what to expect. He knew what was going to happened but he was looking out for his mother. In the cross we see a new view of family values.
For self:
IV. Atonement A momentary separation of Jesus and His father (God turned his back on Him)
Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!" 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."
Jesus took into his life the sin of all mankind. God could not look upon it. This was something that was foreign to Christ Himself. It is something he has never known. Today we can say that we do not deserve to looked upon by God in our sinful nature. We know why. We know that we are/were sinners. We cannot utter this phrase. But Jesus.
Jesus does not understand. He does not know. How can it be that He but be separated from His Father whom he has been with for eternity? But he did it for me and for you.
In this we see darkness. Almost three hours. What happened during this time we are not told. The scripture is silent. But I believe it is a symbol of the time. It was dark and dreairsome.
Why the cry?
1) weakness, no for he is strong when he gives up his life.
2) Imagination, no even though we feel we are forsaken in our imagination. We don’t hear from God so we imagine but this is not true.
3) It was because he was made sin for the world.
We sometimes have to sit in darkness. But remember God has not forsaken us.
V. Fulfillment of prophecy (a bodily redemption)
Joh 19:28-29 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalms 69:21 AV)
The cross is fulfillment of age old prophecies that have been building up for over 4,000 years. All creation had been groaning and wailing for a savior. Not only the human race but all creation fell with Adam. Finally the fulfilling had been fulfilled.
Thirst in scripture:
1) Bodily thirst.
2) Thirst for God “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee” A thirsty soul.
3) Thirsting for men’s souls. The purpose of it all.
The cross was means a fulfilling of prophecy.
VI. A final blow to Death, hell and the grave
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is
finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
1) A sigh of relief
2) A shout of victory
3) A message to the Father
4) A proclamation to man.
What is finished?
The law is fulfilled
Messianic prophecy is accomplished.
Redemption is complete “He hath finished the transgression, and made an end of
sin, and made reconciliation for iniquity, and brought in everlasting
righteousness, and sealed up the vision, and prophecy, and anointed a holy of
holies.”
The beginning of the end for the old world and the beginning of the
kingdom of God as truly God would have it.
Death is overcome.
Hell shall be defeated.
The grave soon shall no longer be needed.
The opening up of Abraham’s bosom
VII. Rest. A return to the Father with a task fulfilled
Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, ’into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ " Having said this, He breathed His last.
Soon he would be reunited with the Father. Soon He would stand before his father and his father would say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Oh think about the reunion that he had with his father. To be back.
1) He died with the scripture on his lips
2) He calls to his Father again. Now the work is done.
3) He went into the Father’s hands. Not the devils. Probably the only thing he had to do with the devil was to go to Hades and claim those who had been looking forward to the blood of Christ.
Notice in the end he gave up his spirit. He gave up his body. Death could not take it. It was an free sacrifice given for mankind. Only Christ could give it up.
Conclusion
The meaning of the cross. This is what we have been looking at for centuries. An old rugged cross. But now we see it is more than a crossed piece of wood. It is more than an good luck charm. It is more than a symbol someone wears. There is so much more to it.
I. Forgiveness
II. Intercession
III. Family
IV. Atonement
V. Fulfillment
VI. Defeat
VII. Rest
What does it mean to you? Let us look at these last sayings of Jesus and make an personal application in our lives.
