Exposed, Excused and Exulted
Today is Resurrection Sunday commonly called Easter Sunday. This is the day when we in the Christian Church commemorate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago.
The resurrection of Christ Jesus is the basis of the Christian Faith. His death is paramount, because by means of his death, he paid the price for our sins and the sins of the entire world; thereby giving each human who enters the portals of this world the right to the tree of life.
His resurrection which we commemorate today, in humility and joy, signifies his victory over death, hell and the grave; for we are told by Holy Scriptures that he descended into hell and on the third day he arose from the dead with all power in his hand. Hence we may say, that this is the day, when we acknowledge and accept that God has given us Jesus Christ his Son as a gift of love; and that we have graciously and gratefully, accepted his gift.
Resurrection Sunday or Easter Sunday is inextricably tied to the cross. The cross carries the stigma of shame and reproach. This is so because; Jesus was crucified, as a criminal. He was sentence to death, as one, according to the Scribes, the Pharisees and the High Priest, who committed the most grievous crime: making himself equal with God; saying that he himself is Christ the King of the Jews. The cross is sometimes referred to as Dark Calvary, where Jesus shed his blood for us.
My friends this morning, I want you to understand, that Jesus, could have gone straight from the manger to the Cross. He could have gone from Jordon to the cross or he could have gone from the Mount of Transfiguration to the Cross. Instead, he went from Gethsemane to the Cross. It took him less than forty eight hours to make the trip from Gethsemane to the Cross. However, in these few hours of man’s time and not even a millisecond in geological time; His journey accomplished the ends for which it was intended: Exposure and Excused. This could be considered as the reason for the first half of his journey from Gethsemane to Praetorium to Calvary. The second half of his journey would have accomplished Exultation, and this would have been achieved between Joseph of Arimathaea Tomb and Bethany to the Mount of his Ascension.
Let me see if I could let you enter in to the thoughts of this sermon: Exposed, Excused and Exulted. The idea is that by means of the process through which Jesus went, from Gethsemane to the Ascension; he accomplished several things from man and for man. First, he pulled out the intent and the thoughts of man’s heart; in other words, the heart of man was Exposed. Second, by means of what he said on Calvary as he hung on the tree: Father forgive they for they know not what they do; Man was Excused for what he had done to Christ. Third, through Jesus’ completed work He brought Exultation to His Father on behalf of mankind whom he had purchased back by his death. That is to say; when he arose from the dead, he had completed the work which he had been sent to do; he had not failed and thereby exulting God the Father and taking man back to the place where God had intended for him to be. Hence it is fit to say: Man was exposed by his suffering; excused by his dying and exulted by his rising. Praise God.
In order for this sermon to be complete, I must put some meet on the skeleton that I’ve just created. As it is now, it is reminiscent of the valley of dry bones. In Ezekiel 37: 1-3 where we find: The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me to pass by them round about: and behold there were very many in the open valley; and lo they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of Man can these bones live? This skeleton can live, and would live as God breath his breath into it.
Consequently, I would unveil how the true nature of man’s heart was exposed. But first, let me show that Jesus had already stated that there was none good save God, when he spoke to the a certain ruler who came to him and said Good Master what should I do to inherit eternal life. Moreover, he revealed to Peter the unreliable nature of man well in advance of when he said to him: before the cock crow thou shalt deny me trice. So as man hid behind a veil of righteousness, faithfulness and love; Jesus’ task was to remove man from behind the veil and left him bare for the angelic hosts and the other onlookers to see what he truly was mad of. This was dramatized very clearly in Mark 14:51-52 where it states: “And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him : and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.” In the same way how the young men laid hold on this man and he left the linen cloth so Jesus’ walk from Gethsemane to Calvary remove the linen clothe of self righteousness from man and expose him for who he truly is.
The first thing we note about man is that he cannot keep his word. When things are going well, and they see a possible opportunity for them to better their condition they will say all manner of good and will vow to stick with you until the end. But when trouble comes; and they see where they could be endanger, they will not stay true to their word. Peter, demonstrated this trait saying good things in good times, when he said in response to Christ’s statement that all of the disciples would be offended because of him, that very night; that even though all the others would be offended, he would not be offended. Jesus prophetically, told him, that this day, even on this night, before the cock crow twice, Peter would deny him thrice. Within hours Peter was put to the test, he did follow Christ to Caiaphas the high priest house when most of the other disciples had left. But when the damsel said to him that he was also with Jesu of Galilee he denied it by saying he did not know what she was saying. Later, a maid recognized him as one of the fellows tht was with Jesus of Nazareth; on this occasion he denied it under oath; forgetting the commands of His lord: to let your communications to be yes or no, and to not take oaths. If this was not enough a little while later, another some of the people present stood by and said to him; man you speech is one of a Galiliean; we can hear that you was with Jesus. On this occasion, Peter began to curse and to swear, saying I know not the man. At this very moment, the Cock crow and he wnt outside and wept bitterly.
Pause for a moment! Aren’t we just like this. We sin, not once; not twice; but many times and then when we catch ourselves, we cry out to God with a lamentable cry seeking his forgiveness. Exposed: Man’s propensity to deny each other, at the time when needed most.
Man’s heart was revealed further when Judas showed up. Judas is one of Christ’s disciples; the one who was trusted with the purse: the Treasurer. Jesus had said to Judas that he would betray him; but Judas made light of it. Matthew 26: 21 we find: And as they did eat, he said Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” Each of them asked Jesus: Lord is it I? Judas asked is it I? and Jesus said thou have said. One writer said “and after the sop, Satan entered into Judas, and he immediately went out. Now here in Gethsemane, Judas having made an arrangement with the chief priest to deliver Christ to them for thirty pieces of silver; he emerges comes to Jesus ahd Kiss him as a sign that this was He was Jesus. Jesus asked Judas, do you betray me with a kiss?’ Here, we note that betrayal is paradoxical; something as innocent as a kiss; a kiss is meant to denote friendship; it is meant to convey passion and love; but here it is meant for evil; it is meant to identify one whom Judas knows was exemplary in his life to men whom Judas knew; were more concern with their maintaining their own position in the eyes of the people. But, the propensity of man to betray each other was here exposed as Jesus made his way from Gethsemane to Calvary.
The Bible was being fulfilled in dramatic ways as it relates to the heart of man. Jeremiah who is known as the weeping Prophet wrote hundreds of years before Calvary: the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? My friends this morning only God knows the heart of man. Hence, Jesus’ task was to reveal or expose man’s heart; not to God; but to himself. Moreover, man had to know that God knows what is in his heart and nothing is hid from him. Moses wrote in Genesis chap 8: 21 and the lord smelled a sweet savour and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth...”
With this in view let us note that man has the propensity to tell lies on each other, without considering or caring about the consequences it may have upon the person they lie on. In scriptural terms this would be bearing false witness. Jesus’ walk from Gethsemane to Calvary was designed to expose this flaw in man’s character. Man had to see this fault; it had to be brought in the opened; and in the open it was brought. The Bible states in Matthew 26: 59 that the chief priest and the elders and the council brought false witnesses to testify against Jesus in order to put him to death. However, they could not find any credible ones except or two who claimed that Jesus said he was able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. These were all trumped up words, and could not stand up in a court of law; but to the persecutors, they were good enough.
Let us view man’s inhumanity to man at its worst. The bible says they spit in his face, they buffeted him and some smote him with the palms of their hands. This is exposure; yes man’s cruelty; how if man doesn’t like you they will spare no end to be cruel to you. But thank God for this march; Christ’s march from Gethsemane to Calvary; we see man’s heart for what it is.
Man’s propensity to commit suicide before repenting and turning from sin is exposed. If you note, the issues exposed during this Journey from Gethsemane to Calvary are the very ones which have the world in disarray today. Suicide is still the norm. Many people could seek God; the one against whom they’ve sin; or the one who can help them through their difficult time; but they choose instead, the course of Judas. The bible records in dramatic fashion Judas action after he discovered that his plans were blotched. Matthew 27: 3- tells us Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said what that is to us? See thou to that. And he cast dwon the pieces of silver in the temple and departed and went and hanged himself. Exposed!! Exposed! Suicide exposed. But most importantly, the cry of a penitent heart is exposed! Jesus’ journey from Gethsemane to Calvary is to expose the heart of man.
Envy exposed. What is envy? Bing’s dictionary defines envy as follows: the resentful or unhappy feeling of wanting somebody else's success, good fortune, qualities, or possessions. Hence, God wanted to show how deeply envious man was. Jesus, demonstrated talents and knowledge that was far beyond that of the most intelligent leaders of his day and even today: and it was for this cause; the Jewish leaders were envious against him. Pilate a Roman governor, one who was considered unregenerate took note of this envy and ask whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus Called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. The resounding and unanimous cry was release unto us Barabbas. Exposed: envy.
Another important exposure was the fact that when pilate saw that he could not prevail in having Christ released; he asked for water and washed his hands; and here disclaiming assent nor consetn to the blood of an innocent man. However, the all the people answered let his blood be upon us and upon our children. Exposed. They asked for his blood to be upon them and their children. However, their intent was we will take the full responsibilty for Jesus’ death and what ever happens to us; we will accept. With this thought in mind; cannot we justify the high volume of murders and thievery to their request. They choose the Blood of the innocent man to be shed without mercy; hence retribution is now catching up with Adam’s lost race.
On the other hand, these people were unwittingly and unknowingly, saying yes to Jesus and his shed blood. That his shed blood innocent as it should be was to be upon them and their children as an everlasting covenant that washes away their many sins and the sins of their children. I am reminded about that song which says: there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s vein and sinners plunge beneath that flood lose all their guilty stain. Here they meant it for evil; but God intended it for good. It is here that God winked at their ignorance.
Exposed; man’s evil intent: let his blood be on us; is God’s righteous predestination: his blood shall be shed for the sin of my people.
Exposed. Man will work the work of God by doing their own selfwillness. They stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. This is a regal robe, fit only for a king and Royalty. Yet that which they wanted to hold back from Jesus, through ignorance they gave to him. One great writer seeks to reveal the purpose of the scarlet robe say: Dress then should be considered both the badge and the punishment of sinners. Here we may begin to understand the profound meaning of the scarlet cloak thrown over the shoulders of our Divine Savior. Being essential holiness He could not assume the guilt, nor, strictly speaking feel the remorse of sin. But in His infinite mercy He could assume its appearance, and experience its temporal effects. Hence our Lord was first stripped of that sacred garment which He had received from the immaculate hands of His most holy Mother. Thus He was in appearance deprived of the essential attribute of His inseparable holiness. Then a soiled and worn out red cloak of a Pagan soldier was temporarily cast over His sacred shoulders. This cruel and humiliating insult was permitted by Divine Wisdom to enable us to understand that our merciful Savior wished, through this action, to signify that He consented to assume the filthy dress of sin, deeply dyed in the blood and crimes of mankind during the long period of four thousand years.
They plaited a crown of thorn and put it on his head. One passionate father wrote regarding the cross: The thorns, with which the adorable head of our Lord was crowned, were not planted upon earth by the paternal hand of God, but they were maliciously sowed by a treacherous enemy. From the Gospel we learn that this enemy was the Devil, and the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve was the noxious seed. The curse of God made them grow long and sharp. These thorns and thistles were more intended to prick the sinner's conscience than the callous hand of the industrious laborer. This is the wise reflection of St. John Chrysostom: "when God said to our fallen parents: Cursed is the earth in thy work; thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee." He intended to signify: thy conscience O sinner, shall never cease producing thorns and stings which will prick thy guilty soul. (St. John Chrys. in Mark 10:19) The thorns of this accursed earth are therefore the figures of our sins. They are the brand of God's malediction impressed on the forehead of sinners. Even the learned Protestant Grotius discovered this truth and said: "The curse of sin was the origin of thorns."
After all this, they took off him the robe and put his own garment on and led him away to be crucified. But there is one more point I wish to raise this morning as it relates to exposed. The bible said that Herod and Pilate were at war with each other and because Pilate sent Jesus to Herod they became friends. The bible records: “and the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves.” Here we note that the road from Gethsemane to Calvary exposes the fact that when Jesus is in the midst, foes becomes friends. Jesus shows that man alone can achieve no peace; but with him lasting peace is possible.
Having seen how their was exposure of man’s heart on the road from Gethsemane to Calvary; let us view God’s input Let us see what God’s intention was in all the suffering and humiliation that his Son had to endure. Jesus always said that this happened that the scripture should be fulfilled. Here we are at Calvary. Having come from Gethsemane to Anna’s house; from Anna’s house to Caiaphas’s Palace; from Caiaphas Place to Pilate’s Hall; from Pilate’s hall to Herod’s Palace; from Herod’s Palace back to Pilate’s Hall; from Pilate’s Hall to the Praetorium court and from the Praetorium court to Calvary Jesus comes to display God’s heart towards his people. On Calvary brow, hanging between two thieves we hear Jesus making seven utterances which are now called the last words of Jesus: verily. I say unto you, today thou shalt be with me in Paradise; Woman behold thy son; Son behold they mother; My God; my God why has thou forsaken me; I thirst; It is finished; Father forgive them for they know not what they do and Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Each of the words uttered by our Saviour spoke to one or several of failures of man’s heart. First he excused a man on the cross for the sins he had committed owing to his own human failings, upon his recognition of an acceptance of his lordship; Second he excused himself from the physical attendance of his mother and handing her over to a trusted and reliable friend, this reminds us, that this world is not our home, and one day we too will have to leave those we love in the care of others whom we trust and love. Moreover, he was specific as to whom he handed his mother, which signify that she was the only earthly relative he had. All others had failed. Third, he excuses himself from the presence of God; by being made sin; knowing full well that God could not look at sin and that sin always broke the relationship between sinner and God. Hence, he acknowledges that he was forsaken and that he had truly become the sin of the world. Fourth; he said I thirst: this thirst is the cry of the sin sick soul; the cry of the penitent soul; like that of David when he said Having mercy upon me O God, according to thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgression…for I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sins are ever before me.” It is the cry of Judas; when he repented and said: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” Yes my friends: it is reminiscent of the words which he spoke while walking the dusty roads of Galilee: Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall e filled.” I thirst identify with that yearning of all men’s heart when they fall adrift and cries out for Father’s mercies and forgiveness.
Fifth, it is finished. This signified that man’s heart had been revealed. They demonstrated the extent to which sin would drive them and how they would not listen to the best of instruction in their blood hunger state. It is finished means that the war that was raging through the ages between Satan and humanity had come to its climax. Humanity no longer was helpless in the clutches of this adversary; but now had a right to the tree of life. Satan had done all; within his power to bring him to death and the hour had come and thus it was finished. God’s work for humanity is done. Today, we can claim the finished work of Christ whenever, we are assailed by the enemy; knowing that Satan shall not have dominion over us because he debt was paid.
Sixth, Jesus cried; Father into thine hands, I commend my Spirit. There could be no better hands than the hands of his loving Father in whose hand to commend his spirit. His Father, even though he turned his back on him; had his hand stretch out fo receive his spirit. One Biblical writer said: as a Father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Today, each of us has the right to commend our spirit to God as did our Saviour Jesus Christ. He is our example; he is our high priest now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for us.
Seventh: he said: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. I left this for the last because this of all the other sayings this includes all of humanity: those born and those unborn. Have the unmitigated audacity to say that this prayer for forgiveness included Judas; it included the other thief who railed on Jesus; it included Pilate; Herod and the Sanhedrin council; the Roman Soldiers who spit in his face; and place the crown of thorn on his head. Yes, it includes countless others who through faith believed in the work which had accomplished on Calvary. Father Forgive them for they know not what they do is an all inclusive prayer that excused all the players of that dreadful and fateful day and gave them a right to the tree of life.
Finally, there is exultation. Exultation is the joy of mission completed and the handing out of badges of Honour. Jesus brought exultation to his Father; when he arose triumphant from the grave. Death could not suffocate him; the grave could not contain him; Hell could not burn him; Satan could not capture him. For the song writer says: he arose a victor from the dark domain and he lives forever with the saints to reign. He arose; He arose; alleluia, Christ Arose.
