UNMOVED BY THE CROSS?
John 19:23-24
INTRODUCTION
A. OPENING STORY
1. Two men had indulged in every sinful activity imaginable while away on a business trip together. In the morning, as they were making their way to the airport, one man challenged the other. He said, “I dare you to go over to that Cathedral over there and confess everything you did last night to the priest. I ‘ll bet you $500 you can’t do that – it would give the priest a heart attack!”
2. The other man said, “Easy money! I’ll do it, no problem.” He walked into the Cathedral and went into the confessional and began with, “Father, forgive me for I have sinned.” And then in graphic detail he told of every escapade of the night before.
3. But the priest, being very perceptive, was able to discern the insincerity of the man’s confession. He said, “Son, your penance will be to walk to the front of the Cathedral and kneel before the life size statue of Jesus, dying on the cross. And I want you to look into the suffering face of the Savior, and I want you to say, “Jesus, all this you did for me, and I COULDN’T CARE LESS!”
4. The man came out laughing from the confessional booth, demanding the $500 from the bet. But his friend said, “Oh no! It’s not complete yet, not until you do your penance.” “I’ll do it,” he said, “it’s no big deal.”
5. So he walked to the front of the statue, flippantly knelt and said, “Jesus all this you did for me and I…..” And just then, the teachings of his childhood came back to him, something he’d heard and learned echoed in his mind – it was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”
6. He cleared his throat and tried again, “Lord Jesus, all this you did for me….” He couldn’t complete the sentence, because a terrible sense of betrayal took hold of him. Instead, genuine repentance finally welled up in his heart and he repented for his sins.
7. We’re going to go back 2,000 years ago to a hill called Calvary and look at some soldiers who “couldn’t care less” about Jesus!
B. TEXT
23 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. 24 “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 that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did” John 19:23-24.
C. THESIS
1. Try to picture this scene for a moment. These men, were witnessing THE most significant event in all of history – YET they missed it – because they were too busy looking down, throwing dice, rather than looking UP – and beholding the Christ. What a tragedy to be so close to the Cross, BUT so far from Christ.
2. I mean, these guys were touching the very Son of God – yet they weren’t touched BY Him. And what we discover today is that, the reasons the soldiers were unmoved by the Cross, are the same reasons people today are not moved. TITLE: Are You “UnMoved By The Cross?”
I. WHY PEOPLE ARE UNMOVED BY THE CROSS
A. CRUCIFIXIONS WERE COMMON
1. Crucifixions were very routine to these men. It was the way criminals paid the ultimate penalty for their crimes.
2. Tradition tells us that around the time when Jesus was a teenager, there was a rebellion near where He lived. The Roman army crushed the rebellion but they didn’t want it to happen again, so they crucified an Israelite every 30 feet for 10 miles – some 1,700 people. [Skip Gray, The Way of The Cross]
3. So for these soldiers, crucifixions were their job – it was what they did for a living. They were numb to it; it was just another day at the office. Yes, they heard the screams & cries for mercy, but they’d learned to ignore it.
4. Some of you have been around Christianity and Church all your lives and you’ve gotten used to the story of Jesus. You no longer hear the sounds of the hammering & the weeping; you no longer see the pain & the violence & the blood. Your hearts have become hard and you’ve closed your ears and eyes. Oh God! Open our hearts to you, Jesus!
5. These soldiers were unmoved by the cross because...
B. CROSS CARRIERS ARE UNKIND: Poor Examples
1. You see, the Jews hated the Romans because they oppressed them. Jewish zealots constantly tried to stab Roman soldiers as they walked by in crowds.
2. So when the Centurion said, “We have a Jewish rebel for you to crucify,” the soldiers relished the opportunity. That’s why they punched Jesus with their fists; mocked him with the robe & crown of thorns; why they spat on him, kicked him and pulled his beard out. Jesus was just a convenient target for their frustration and hatred for the Jewish people.
3. And some of you are hard toward Christ because you’ve been hurt by a Christian. Or maybe they were hypocrites or were judgmental or unkind.
4. Listen – my challenge to you today, is for you to look beyond the imperfect followers of Christ and see Jesus. “Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith” Hebrews 12:2. The 3rd Reason We’re Numb:
C. MATERIAL THINGS OVERSHADOW THE CROSS
1. There was some dice-throwing that went on at the foot of the cross. Imagine the scene. The soldiers are huddled in a circle, their eyes turned downward. The criminal above them is forgotten. They divided up his clothing and gambled for His under-garment.
2. Have you ever wondered what that scene must have looked like to Jesus, as He looked past His bloody feet? He must have been amazed: here were common soldiers witnessing the most uncommon event in history and they don’t even know it! As far as they’re concerned, it’s just another Friday morning and He’s just another criminal.
3. “COME ON, HURRY UP; IT’S MY TURN!” “ALL RIGHT, THIS THROW IS FOR THE GARMENT.” CASTING LOTS HEADS DUCKED. EYES DOWNWARD. CROSS FORGOTTEN. THE SYMBOLISM IS STRIKING. DO YOU SEE IT?
4. THE SOLDIERS ARE SO CLOSE TO THE CROSS BUT SO FAR FROM THE CHRIST. Someone said, “If satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy!”
5. Many people in this room are not moved by the Cross or Christ because you’re too busy – too busy chasing wealth, status, possessions, pleasure, popularity, thrills, success…
6. LET ME TELL YOU WHY YOU SHOULD BE MOVED BY THE CROSS!
II. WHY SHOULD YOU BE MOVED?
There are many people who love us – our parents, our spouses, our children -- but Jesus claims that He loves us with a greater love than any other person. He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends...” John 15:13-14. What substantiates His claim?
A. GREAT LOVE BROUGHT HIM TO EARTH
1. For a King to give up His throne, His glory, His riches and power because of love...seems unthinkable.
2. But Jesus had an even greater love for you, for He entered this world of time, death, sweat, poverty, obscurity and scorn... for you.
B. ONLY GREAT LOVE WILL DIE FOR ANOTHER
1. Some might lay down their lives for you because it was necessary. But Jesus died for you when He didn’t have to. He could’ve stopped the crucifixion at any time. In Gethsemane, He said, "I Am," and all the soldiers fell to the ground. One word, or possibly one thought, could have destroyed them; but He was willing to die because He loved YOU!
2. Christ was never had to die; He was immortal and without sin. The death He died was not for Himself, but for us, out of indescribable love.
C. FROM ETERNITY, CHRIST KNEW HE WOULD DIE
1. Some might, in an outburst of strong affection, spontaneously be willing to die.
2. But Jesus calmly thought it over and deliberately willed to die for us from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).
3. Where could you find such a spirit of sacrifice? It’s the greatest display of love ever manifested.
D. DIED FOR US UNDER CRIMINAL CHARGE
1. I’ve seen some good men falsely charged of crimes and felt that I would rather die than be guilty of the crime they were accused of.
2. But BECAUSE JESUS LOVED YOU, He was willing to be called a criminal and executed between two thieves. He loves you that much!
E. HIS DEATH – BY THE CRUELEST MEANS
1. If you ever thought you might lay down your life for someone, you wouldn't want it to be by torture. But that’s how Jesus suffered!
2. SCOURGING -- beaten to death with a cat of nine tails. CRUCIFIXION -- the horrible pain of hanging on nails, cramps, bones out of joint; "excruciating" -- means "out of the cross." And his DEATH? By SUFFOCATION!
F. HE WAS MADE THE SIN BEARER
1. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 1 Cor. 5:21. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us..." Gal. 3:13.
2. To a pure mind, contact with sin in any form is truly horrible. Imagine how terrible it must have been for all the evil, wickedness, and guilt of sin to descend upon Jesus while He was on the cross!
3. His holy nature must have been traumatized and tried to draw back! But love kept Him on the cross!
G. OUR SAVIOR DIED FORSAKEN BY GOD
1. Many martyrs have sung songs of praise to God as they went to death, declaring they could feel God’s presence and He was giving them grace.
2. But Jesus had to cry, "My God, my God; Why have You forsaken me?" It was the pitiful cry of a broken heart and a sinking spirit. Dear friend, Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life while forsaken by God (because of OUR sin)!
CONCLUSION
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jn. 3:16
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. A number of years ago, a news story told of a dramatic incident that occurred in a small Midwestern town. The residents of this town were warned to take cover because a tornado had been sighted.
2. Living in this town was a young couple with a
small baby. Knowing the tornado was upon them and that they had no time to take cover, they laid the tiny infant on the floor of the living room and covered the baby with their own bodies.
3. The tornado struck with devastating force and leveled a row of homes, including theirs. The next morning, as rescue workers were rummaging through the destroyed homes, they heard a muffled cry.
4. They came upon the lifeless bodies of a young couple, with their baby still safe beneath their shattered bodies. They gave their lives for their child. This is what Christ has done for us.
B. THE CALL: THE CROSS POINTS HOME
1. Many years ago a little girl wandered away from home and got lost in vast London. A policeman found her sobbing and tried to find out where she lived. He finally mentioned a landmark called the Charring Cross.
2. The little girl’s eyes lit up, “O yes! I know where the Charring Cross is. Mister take me to the Cross and I can find my way home!” It’s the same with you today – if you come to the Cross of Christ, you’re on your way home!
3. How many of you want to come back the Cross of Jesus? Let’s come to the front and find a place to ask God to forgive and heal you. PRAYER.
[This is a rewrite of Steve Malone's message of the same title]
