Three Crosses

THREE CROSSES

TEXT: MATTHEW 27:26-31; LUKE 27:32-46

INTRODUCTION: I would like us to look at the three crosses mentioned in our text this morning/evening. Each one has a significant meaning for us today. It is important that we understand what each one represents, because your eternal destination may depend on it.

I. THE CROSS OF REDEMPTION

Redemption means to buy back, to ransom, to rescue from loss.

Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Christ bought us back.

1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

A. A Cross Of Suffering

Crucifixion was the cruelest form of punishment devised by man. Explain it. Scourged, crown of thorns, and what happened on the cross.

Mat 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

Isa 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Isa 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

But the worst suffering came when Christ was on the cross. God the Father turned His back on His Son and the Trinity was for the first and only time broken.

Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

B. A Cross Of Substitution

2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Propitiation: A suitable sacrifice, turning away anger.

The greatest tragedy is that Jesus died for all, past present and future, but all will not receive the sacrifice.

Only Jesus can be our substitution, I could never die to forgive sin.

C. A Cross Of Salvation

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

But He didn’t stay on the cross.

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1 Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

I. THE CROSS OF REDEMPTION

II. THE CROSS OF REJECTION

Verse 39; Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

A. A Cross Of Misconception

If Thou be. The thief had a misconception of who Jesus was and the way to get to heaven. Just like many people have today.

They think that;

1. Baptism

Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Jesus was baptized.

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.