Introduction – A Little Girl’s Directions
A little girl got lost on her way home. A policeman stopped and asked, “Can I help you?”
She answered, “Just point me to the cross, and I’ll be able to find my way home.”
Her house was near a church with a tall cross on its roof.
That’s what the cross does. It points us home.
All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ.
All the forces of darkness are afraid of the cross of Christ.
But many people ignore it.
As I prepared for this message, I prayed, “Lord, I need Your help. I am inadequate. I don’t know how anyone can read the story of the cross and be unaffected.”
Grace is never as amazing to me as when I study the cross.
And I am never more deeply affected than when I linger there.
Let us pray:
Lord, expound this subject in its profound height and depth. Holy Spirit, press it into every heart. Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Message of the Cross
Paul declared, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
He determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Charles Spurgeon once said:
“Abide hard by the cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. This subject is worthy of an angel’s tongue. Christ Himself will be expounding it throughout eternity.”
Martin Luther said, “I feel as if Christ died yesterday.”
Oh, that we would live every day as if Christ had died yesterday, fresh in our minds and hearts.
This morning my prayer is to deepen our understanding, our appreciation, and our affection for the cross.
Jesus Before Pilate – The Silence of Jesus
Matthew 27 says that early in the morning the priests and leaders bound Jesus and led Him to Pilate.
Picture it: Jesus, bruised and bound, standing in the judgment hall of Rome’s governor. The priests sneer, the crowd whispers, Pilate studies Him with curiosity.
Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “It is as you say.”
But when the accusations poured in, Jesus was silent.
No defense. No protest. No resistance.
Why? Because this was the very hour for which He had come. He refused to resist the process of His suffering.
Pilate offered the people a choice: Barabbas or Jesus.
And the crowd shouted: “Barabbas!”
Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus?”
And they cried out louder and louder: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Pause with me. Where are you in that crowd?
Where Do You Stand?
Where are you in this story?
Are you with the priests?
Are you with John, standing near the cross?
Are you with Mary, watching her Son suffer?
Or are you in the angry mob?
Friend, you don’t truly understand sin until you recognize your own face in that crowd — your own voice shouting, “Crucify Him!”
John Stott wrote: “Until you see the cross as something done BY you, you will never appreciate that it was done FOR you.”
Martin Luther said: “We all carry the nails in our pockets.”
It wasn’t necessary for Jesus to die for anyone else’s sin.
It was necessary for Him to die for mine.
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The Separation of Jesus – Forsaken by God
The soldiers stripped Him, mocked Him, spit on Him. They pressed a crown of thorns on His brow and forced Him to carry His cross toward Golgotha.
Imagine the jeering crowd along the road. Imagine the soldiers driving Him forward. Imagine the women weeping, not yet understanding what He bore.
They nailed Him to the cross.
They mocked: “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself.”
But if He saved Himself, He could not have saved us.
From noon until three, darkness covered the land.
Not an eclipse. Not the weather.
This was the judgment of God.
Think of it: the Light of the World, covered in darkness. The Judge of all, standing condemned.
In Gethsemane Jesus had prayed, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.”
That cup was not physical pain. That cup was the wrath of God against sin.
And at the ninth hour, He cried out: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
This was no illusion.
The sinless One was bearing sin.
The beloved Son was enduring wrath.
The eternal Companion of the Father was utterly alone.
Why?
He was forsaken so that we would never be forsaken.
He was condemned so that we could be forgiven.
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Forgiveness and Peace – The Gift of the Cross
Friends, I don’t ever want to grow familiar with forgiveness.
I have sinned enough today alone to deserve judgment. Yet because of the cross, I am forgiven.
He was treated as if He were a sinner, so that I might be treated as if I were righteous.
Because of the cross:
There is no condemnation.
The verdict is already decided.
There is peace with God.
“Jesus drained the cup of God’s wrath, leaving us not a drop to drink.”
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Do you hear it? That’s grace. That’s mercy. That’s why grace is not just amazing — it’s overwhelming.
Conclusion – The Wondrous Cross
He was pierced for our transgressions.
Crushed for our sins.
Forsaken, that we might be forgiven.
Condemned, that we might be free.
Alone, that we might never be alone.
What a wondrous cross.
What a wonderful Savior.
Invitation
So what about you?
Is this just a story you’ve heard? Or is it your story?
The Spirit is calling.
Will you come to Him today?
Will you recommit at the foot of the cross?
Pray this with me:
Father God, I love You. I need You. I’m sorry for my sins. I receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I believe He died for me, rose again, and lives today. Take me as I am. Make me what You want me to be. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Assurance
Because of the cross there is no condemnation.
Because of the cross we have peace with God.
Because of the cross we have blessed assurance: Jesus is mine.
Amen.
