THE JOURNEY TO THE CROSS PART III: THE POWER OF THE CROSS
LUKE 23: 26 – 43
PALM/PASSION SUNDAY APRIL 13, 2003
INTRODUCTION: Think you are having a bad day? Karen Miller Sent this!
There was a case in one hospital’s Intensive Care ward where patients always died in the same bed, on Sunday morning, at about 11 a.m., regardless of their medical condition. This puzzled the doctors and some even thought that it had something to do with the supernatural. No one could solve the mystery...as to why the deaths occurred around 11 am on Sundays. So a World-Wide team of experts was assembled to investigate the cause of the incidents. The next Sunday morning, a few minutes before 11 a.m., all doctors and nurses nervously wait outside the ward to see for themselves what the terrible phenomenon was all about. Some were holding wooden crosses, prayer books and other holy objects to ward off the evil spirits. Just when the clock struck 11, Pookie Johnson, the part-time Sunday sweeper, entered the ward and unplugged the life support system so that he could use the vacuum cleaner.
STILL HAVING A BAD DAY? The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were being released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later, in full view, a killer whale ate them both.
STILL THINK YOU ARE HAVING A BAD DAY? A woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen shaking frantically, almost in a dancing frenzy, with some kind of wire running from his waist towards the electric kettle. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly current, she whacked him with a handy plank of wood, breaking his arm in two places. Up to that moment, he had been happily listening to his Walkman.
YOURS IS STILL A BAD DAY, HUH? Two animal rights protesters were protesting at the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn, Germany. Suddenly, all two thousand pigs broke loose and escaped through a broken fence, stampeding madly. The two hopeless protesters were trampled to death.
WHAT? STILL THINK YOUR DAY IS BAD?
Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet didn’t pay enough postage on a letter bomb.
It came back with "return to sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the
bomb; he opened it and was blown to bits. THERE NOW ARE YOU FEELING BETTER?
TRANSITION THOUGHT: The Text Tony read from us was about a very bad day for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This Sunday is called Palm Sunday, but it can also be called Passion Sunday. There are two options, you could preach on Jesus riding into town on a Donkey and the crowd cheering, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”, or you could preach on Jesus Journey to the Cross.
The only problem we Wesleyans have is that we don’t follow through this week and observe Maundy Thursday in which Jesus ate the last supper, was betrayed by Judas, and was arrested. We also don’t gather for Good Friday as a congregation, on which Jesus was tried before Pilate and sentenced to be crucified, was crucified and buried. SO, I have lead us to this point so that on Easter Sunday we might truly celebrate the empty tomb which was first filled with a crucified Christ. If you only observe Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, then Jesus went from riding into town being praised to being raised from the Dead and you might just wonder, “How did He get dead??” Bad English, I know, but a truthful statement. So, here we are, Jesus is having a bad day, but just what does this bad day mean to us and as we journey to the Cross, what can we learn this day concerning the Cross of Christ?
THESIS SENTENCE: THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND THE PROMISE OF PARADISE!
IF THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS FORGIVENESS AND PARADISE, HOW DO WE GET THERE?
I. THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS A WILLING SACRIFICE VV. 26-31
A. A sacrifice required
1. Two weeks ago we began on this journey with the promise of the Cross. Peter did not want Jesus to go, but Jesus told Peter he had in mind the things of man and not the things of God.
2. Last week I mentioned that Jesus did not respond to the vile testimonies made about him by the people. I also mentioned that in the book of John, chapter 19, Jesus told Pilot that he, Pilot, had no power over Him, only that which God had allowed him to have.
3. The point is that God required this cross and it was happening the way God had planned it to happen and thus a sacrifice was required! 4. This fulfilled Jesus prayer in the Garden, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done (Matthew 26: 42).”
B. A sacrifice offered
1. If a sacrifice was required, then Jesus was willing.
2. Our text begins with Jesus faltering under the load of the cross beam and Simon from Cyrene, a black man, picking up the cross of Jesus and carrying it for Him.
3. What is interesting to note is that Simon becomes the first disciple to do just what Jesus had commanded, to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus.
4. Also, we see many of the followers of Jesus, those who had listened to Him along this Journey to the Cross, following. They appear to be silent now, and yet they follow on. Maybe they are trying to sort it all out, but one they follow. And as they do, the women mourn and wail for Him.
5. What is of great importance now is that Jesus is not rebelling against His cross, but steadily marches toward His fate upon it!
C. A sacrifice responds
1. This is where the story gets interesting. Here Jesus speaks on the Journey to those that are mourning His fate.
2. And just how does He respond, “Yes, wail for me, scream, for to a terrible death I go, because you people have sinned against God.” Yes, this is terrible, focus on me, feel sorry for me, for I die unjustly!”
3. IS this His reply? Of course not, He is not thinking of Himself, but of those that follow Him on this journey to the Cross!
4. What He is actually saying in verses 28 through 30 is, “If I have to die this way and I am innocent, fear for your own lives. These times are evil and will only get worse.” Did Jesus know of the soon coming Persecution of the Church? Of course He did! He knew the evil that resides in the hearts of men. He also knew that He was the first of many martyrs to come. 5. This is the Via Dolorosa! Jesus sees with mourning in His own heart the pain and anguish that will come upon those that follow Him. He is not concerned with Himself. He has chosen to follow the plan of the Father! 6. Jesus responds, “you are not safe in a world like this!”
ILLUSTRATION: How to stay safe in 2003
Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation. You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church!
Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even less. FOR SAFETY’S SAKE – Attend Church and Read your Bible … IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
KEY THOUGHT: WHOM DID JESUS FOCUS ON, HIMSELF, OR FOR THOSE THAT MOURNED HIS PAIN?
II. THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS A FORGIVING SACRIFICE VV. 32-38
A. A forgiving sacrifice is a ridiculed sacrifice
1. Jesus is crucified between two criminals. He is judged with the malefactors of the world. Yes, the world tries to right its wrongs by crucifying criminals. This is the true reality behind the cross; it was to be a deterrent to criminals. They would see the bodies hanging there and would possible reconsider their acts of lawlessness. This was the goal and Jesus hangs on the middle cross!
2. All around evil prevailed. “‘They’ divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘ He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the King of Jews, save yourself.’ There was written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
B. A forgiving sacrifice is a forgiving sacrifice
1. Again I asked, did Jesus respond with, “You wait and see the place I have prepared for you. It is a fiery place of torture and torment. You think I am suffering now, wait and see how you will suffer.”
2. Did He respond with, “Father send ten million angels and wipe the face of this planet. Destroy these that would destroy me.”
3. Did He respond with, “Father, take me down off this cross, make the way easier and let offer a painless sacrifice to You.”
4. Let me ask, “How would you respond at this point?” You are dying for a lost humanity. You are dying for those you created. You are dying for those that should have known you and loved you. How would you respond?? 5. Jesus responded with, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
6. All the commentators’ alike state that this term “THEY” is as generic as it can be. It is a blanket “they”. It covers everyone from the soldiers to the street sweepers. It covers Pilot to the smallest official in the smallest town. It covered anyone and everyone who had a part in this really bad day of His.
7. CAN YOU IMAGINE SUCH LOVE????????????????????!
ILLUSTRATION: A young nun once claimed to have had a vision of Jesus. Her bishop decided to test her truthfulness and ordered that the next time she had a vision she should ask Christ what the bishop’s primary sin had been before he became a bishop.
Some months later the nun returned and the bishop asked if she had asked Christ the question, to which she affirmed that she had. "And what did he say?" the bishop asked, apprehensively.
"Christ said..." and the nun paused a moment... "He said, ‘I don’t remember. ’"
We have a God who not only forgives but also forgets!
Donald Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations, Resource, 1992, p. 94.
KEY THOUGTH: WHO WAS JESUS FOCUSED ON, AVENGING HIMSELF OR THE FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS?
III. THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS A WELCOMING SACRIFICE VV. 39-43
A. A welcoming sacrifice is a hearing sacrifice
1. As mentioned a few minutes ago, Jesus had not been concerned for Himself as He heard others mourn and wail for Him, He was concerned for them.
2. In the matter of forgiveness, again, He was not self-centered. He did not respond to ridicule with ridicule, but with forgiveness.
3. Now we have to thieves speaking to Jesus. One calls out, “Get us down from here if you are who you say you are! Listen, don’t just save yourself, save me!”
4. “Who knows,” thought this criminal, “maybe he can do something, and I want in on it! The plank above His head did say this is the King of the Jews and I know they can do some stuff.”
5. What this criminal wanted was a temporal salvation. He wanted a quick fix that would get him out of the immediate jam he was in. He was the kind of guy who gets religion when it’s to his benefit.
6. What he is saying is Jesus, just take care of me know!
7. Another criminal speaks from his cross and rebukes his fellow crucifixee. “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 (vv. 40-41).”
8. ONE THOUGHT HERE, JESUS HEARS ALL WE SAY, BUT TO WHAT DOES HE CHOSE TO ANSWER?
B. A welcoming sacrifice is a saving sacrifice
1. One last word about this listen sacrifice, “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
2. What was this other criminal up to? Did he not want down from his cross? Did he not fear death? Was he not concerned for his own well -being? 3. Could he have seen a greater reality? What is he really saying about Jesus? Did he believe Jesus to be the King of the Jews?
4. The text makes it clear that this man saw a kingdom coming, but knew it was not of this life.
AN ASIDE: WAS THIS CRIMINAL FORGIVEN? YES, OF COURSE HE WAS, JESUS HAD ALREADY PRAYED, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.” IS THIS A UNIVERSAL FORGIVENESS? HAS IT BEEN RECEIVED BY ALL MIGHT BE THE APPROPRIATE QUESTION? IS FORGIVENESS ENOUGH? FOR WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS CRIMINAL WAS ASKING? HE WAS ASKING FOR THIS FORGIVENES TO BE APPLIED TO HIS LIFE!!
5. Now back to hearing, Jesus heard everything that was said. But to the criminal on the cross wanting to get down, to the one who hurled insults at Jesus, He did not respond.
6. To the Criminal who, like Pilot and his wife, stood up for Jesus, proclaiming His innocent death on the cross, He gladly responded!!
7. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
ILLUSTRATION: The Puzzle: A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his magazine on which was printed the map of the world. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby, and said, “Go into the other room and see if you can put this together.”
After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map correctly fitted together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. “Oh,” she said, “on the other side of the map was a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where he belonged, then the world came together.”
Isn’t that the truth, when we put Jesus where He belongs in our lives, the whole world comes together.
How have your responded to Jesus, which criminal on the cross are you? Are you hurling insults at Him or are you asking Him to remember you when He comes in His Kingdom?
KEY THOUGHT: WHO WAS JESUS FOCUSED ON, GETTING HIMSELF OFF THAT CROSS, OR GETTING SOMEONE ELSE INTO PARADISE: SAVING THE LOST!
CONCLUSION: Today we learned of the Power of the Cross. The Cross of Jesus brought our forgiveness and our entrance to heaven. As we conclude this Journey to the Cross, where are you? Have you embraced the Christ of the Cross? Have you anguished for the price paid for you sin? Are you mourning and wailing? He says morn and wail for yourself! Are you hurling insults at Jesus as He hangs upon that Cross for your sin? He says, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing! Are you wanting out of one of life’s difficult situations? Jesus will not reply! Have you asked Him to remember you, after first accepting your own rightful condemnation for sin, when He enters His kingdom? He will reply, “Today you will be with me in Paradise!”
WHERE DOES JESUS FIND YOU TODAY????!
BENEDICTION: REVELATION 1: 5B-6
