The Scenes At Calvary

THE SCENES AT CALVARY

Text: Luke 23:33-49; John 19:37

Adoniram Judson returned to America for a brief furlough, following a tenure of 30 years in Burma. A large group gathered to hear the renowned missionary.

Judson could have told of the grave illness of his wife, and four children in the Orient, but he didn't. He could have recounted stories about his imprisonments in many jails. He could have mentioned many struggles under adverse circumstances and the sustaining grace of God in a pagan land, but none of that became his theme. For a brief - time he spoke about the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary for man and sat down.

Many criticized him for such an ordinary message. Some said, "We expected a different message from one coming from the other side of the world." The man of God answered: "Well I am glad to say that one who has come from the other side of the world has nothing more thrilling to tell than the story of Jesus dying on the cross for sinners."

"They shall look on him whom they pierced." John 19:37 TEXT: What a sight they did behold. What a scene for us to remember and tell as long as we live. "At the Cross where we first saw the light."

These propositions offered in the light of the Cross.

1. How to live with Christ in view.

2. How to love with our brother in view.

3. How to die with judgment in view.

I. THE SCENE ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS:

A. How the people bring Jesus to Calvary...(In the morning):

1. By force...'The whole multitude of them arose and led him unto Pilate." Luke 23:1

2. They came as men wild in appearance. "And they were the more fierce." Luke 23:5

3. They forced the issue:

a. Pilate said, "...I find no fault in him...' Luke 23:4

B. How they left the cross (In the evening):

1. The Centurion saw what was done, he glorified God. Luke 23:47

2. All the people beholding that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breast, and returned." 23:48

a. Why such an emotional outburst? "...smiting their breast and returned." 23:48

1. Astonished, they could not believe what they saw and felt.

2. Alarmed, robbed of the joy of their victory.

II. THE SCENE OF CALVARY TODAY:

A. They saw a “suffering" “dying" humiliated Messiah.

B. We gaze upon a Risen, living, exalted Messiah. 'Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.• Phil. 2:9

III. THE SPIRITUAL EFFECT OF CALVARY TODAY:

A. Surveying the wonder of the Cross, I see:

1. Strength: (He who was conscious of irresistible strength surrendered Himself to be treated as the weakest of weaklings.)

Strength never witnessed before or since.

a. Strength to persevere the shame He encountered: When they said, "He saved others: himself he cannot save..." Matt. 27:42 The beatings, mocking’s, and all this shame would not stop Him of finishing His mission.

b. Strength to persist in the face of unbelief. ' ...If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matt 27:40

c. Strength to save the dying thief. Luke 23:42 "...Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.' Luke 23:43

2. Submission: "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, 0 God." Hebs. 10:7 ...he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Phil. 2:8 Jesus was in submission to the needs of the world. "But we see Jesus, who ... by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Hebrews 2:9

3. Sacrifice: (The Bible says, "...For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.' I Cor. 5:7

a. The first animal that shed blood in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. Gen. 3:21

1. The firstling of Abel's flock. Gen. 4:4

2. Noah offered an offering when he came out of the ark. Gen. 8:20

3. Solomon, when he dedicated the temple offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. I Kings 8:63

b. God only accepted the sacrifice at Calvary. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.' Hebs. 9:12 Jesus is the sacrifice that caused God to be just, "...and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3:26

4. Satisfaction:

a. I see God satisfied, "...He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied...' Isa 53:11

b. Jesus was satisfied, "...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebs. 12:2