The Certainty Of Christ's Crucifixion
Book of Luke 23:26-56
Crucifixion was a mode of capitol punishment used by Rome in the time of Jesus but was not used by the Jews.
The Jews used capitol punishment but they used the sword and stoning for the most part.
Crucifying was regarded as the most horrible of deaths by the Jews and was a greater horror for the curse of God.
Deu 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
Deu 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Notice the first rule was that they be worthy of death!
**Crucifixion always began first by a scourging.
The difference in Jesus case was that He was scourged before He was even sentenced!
**Then the condemned had to carry his own cross to the place of execution which would be outside the city but in full view of those who entered into the city.
Before they were nailed to that cross, they would be given a cup of vinegar with medication mixed of gall and myrrh to deaden the pain but we know that Jesus rejected this this cup.
God will never go against His Word about alcohol or drugs!
Mat 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
**It was then that the nails were driven into the body.
Jesus felt every hit of the hammer that drove those nails.
All the accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ are in accordance with the customs and the practices of Rome.
**It is a fact that the Lord Jesus Christ died of a broken heart, a ruptured heart which is why we see the blood and the water from the soldiers spear.
Joh 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
The truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ clearly understood from the beginning that He had come into this world to die on the cross and He was fully prepared and had joy in giving His life so that we could be saved!
Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 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.
Let's begin:
*****Luk 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Again we should realize that everything that Christ did had a purpose.
It was not some accident that Simon just happen to be passing Jesus at that time.
It was not some accident that Jesus felt the pressure of the cross at that time.
The truth is, that the trials of this life come when we least expect them.
The cross that we are to bear in this life is usually laid upon us at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place.
We often think of Christ bearing the cross for our sin and that is so true, but here we see a sinner bearing the cross for Jesus Christ.
It is that close personal relationship that Jesus is seeking with each and everyone of us.
It is a beautiful thought that our own cross borne for Jesus Christ is borne with Jesus Christ!
Jesus wanted us all to know He is involved with us in a very personal relationship!
The truth is, we all had have a piece of the cross of Jesus and we must help bear that cross.
Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Nothing in this world happens by chance, not to the Christian. God will oversee the life of all His children.
Simon was just a pilgrim traveling in a foreign land.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Many of the crosses we bear for ourselves are the ones that me make ourselves.
There was a large crowd following the procession that day but only Simon was chosen. It was not really the soldiers that chose Simon because it was the Lord.
*****Luk 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
In most cases it is said that the same crowd that was saying Hosanna one day were saying crucify Him the next day. That could be true, but there could also be two separate crowds. Jerusalem was full of all sorts of people in celebration of the Passover and some did actually realize that the true Passover was being crucified that day.
These were those who knew that Jesus was innocent.
These are those that knew everything about Jesus was good and He possessed no evil at all.
These are the ones that knew Jesus was the hope of all people.
This is a picture of us all, when we get to know Jesus in a personal relationship.
When we realize what great things God has done in order that we can be saved, then we to can weep and bewail and feel the pain of our Savior for what He has done for us!
These people were crying out, especially the women, because they were feeling the pain of their Savior!
Some had known Him for many years and others were mourning because they felt their pain.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
But what we see when we mourn, let it be for the right reasons.
*****Luk 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luk 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luk 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Luk 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
The women of that day were for the most part home makers and not involved in the politics of the day. To many of them, their husband was their lord.
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
They knew Jesus was innocent and they had never heard unfavorable things about Him.
They knew that everywhere Jesus had traveled, He had shown only mercy and truth.
They knew Jesus was the only hope for the people, because they knew that the glory of God had departed from Israel and the land was under the curse of God.
They had been aroused by the words He had spoken and the miracles they had heard of Him.
They knew no such person as this, deserved death!
Jesus simply said "weep not for me" because it was by the cross that the prayers of these women would be answered and prophesy would be fulfilled.
Jesus was saying "trust me, this is what I came to do"!
The truth is, a natural response to the sufferings of Christ is just not enough. We must understand why Jesus suffered and feel a godly sorrow over Christ bearing the sins of the world.
We are just not ashamed of our sin!
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Then Jesus painted a picture of Israel's doom, which we must remember is also a "type" of the future destruction of this world.
They would be better off weeping for themselves!
There was soon coming a day when these women would wish they had been childless.
They would soon wish that they were buried alive rather than see the death of hunger.
If we realize that Jesus represents that "green tree" the "tree of life", how will the world treat a tree of no use, with no visible life left in it.
Israel was that "dry tree" at that time with no signs of life.
We could say that "America is that dry tree" today because America is dying the death of sin.
We are witnessing that today!
Israel had rejected the invitation of God time after time and had tried God's patience.
This time they had gone too far!
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
The killing of the Lord Jesus Christ by such ruthless men was the last straw for that generation!
Just as soon as the Church was established to a point of survival, Jerusalem was judged and Israel was scattered.
Mat 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And then another prophesy must be fulfilled:
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
*****Luk 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
As far as we know, this day may have already been set aside for execution. We already know it was a day when a criminal would be set free.
Mar 15:6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
It would be fair to say, that it was also an execution day already planned by Rome for some reason or another.
To those Jewish leaders it just added weight to their saying to the people that this was just a man like any other man and not the true Messiah.
Just another prophet like the others they had killed, but this time they were wrong.
Christ was counted with the sinner because our Father in Heaven had decided these things!
Over and over again we see God's plan and God just wants us all to be a part of His plan because no other plan will work!
So Mount Calvary came into view.
*****Luk 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Every sinner has a limited view of their own sin, because we simply do not see the things we do as evil!
For this reason, sin to them is just not a big deal and Christ dying for our sin was also no big deal.
They see laws made for others than themselves because they think they have no evil intent.
What we see in our world today is that sin appears indifferent and according to the circumstances in which it is seen.
So we see that Jesus said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".
Here we see the power of "Grace"!
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
The truth is that Christ was crucified in order to bring us back to God!
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Now we also see Jesus the Mediator between God and sinful man, because remember at His death, the Veil of the Temple was ripped into.
It is very true that those leaders and politicians simply did not know what they were doing!
In order to stop God's plan then Jesus would have had to live!
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
And then another prophesy is fulfilled.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
God just knows every little detail of every little thing and even every big thing!
Jesus was stripped of His clothes because Jesus allowed all His mortality to be stripped from Him.
Jesus came to bring eternal life from His death, because He came to abolish death and bring immortality through the "Gospel".
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
There is no way that this world could deny Jesus His cross and that is the same way we should all feel!
We should not allow this world to deny us our own cross in Jesus' name!
God will have His will on this earth!
*****Luk 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luk 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luk 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
What's wrong with this world? Most all people do not understand the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Those looking for a Messiah always have their preconceived notions of what a Messiah is.
Is the Messiah the anointed one of God? Yes
Is the Messiah the Savior of the world? Yes
Is the Messiah the Christ? In the Greek, Yes.
Is the Messiah the expected prince of God's chosen people? Yes of Israel. The prince who will be King.
Is the Messiah the High Priest of the Church? Yes
Was the Messiah sent to complete God's purpose? Yes
The Messiah was never to fulfill the will of the people!
The truth of the cross was, that since the Messiah came to save the people of this world then He certainly could not save Himself!
Did He have the power to do so? Yes
Did He have the will to do so? No, for He would have left us all to die!
You would think the people of God could better understand these things.
From the day Jesus was laid in that manger, He had not hid Himself from His message of salvation!
That cross that crucified our Lord was His message of love!
It was love that kept Jesus from coming down off that cross!
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
All leaders, all those who say they have religion, and all people of all societies are only human and Jesus died to save us all!
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
It was that generation in the time of Jesus, that should have realized the truth but they had rejected the truth and this is what is going on in our world today.
So what is the next truth?
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
This is also the truth of a world without Jesus Christ until He returns.
Those soldiers could not have understood the claim of Jesus to be King, they were only men paid to be obedient to Rome.
Jesus was first offered vinegar mixed with pain killers but He refused.
You will never see Jesus go against the Word of God.
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
Those soldiers also had their own drink source that was a mixture of vinegar and water and this is what was later offered to the Lord which He did take some.
Vinegar has no alcohol content in itself!
And there was also the superscription that was misunderstood.
*****Luk 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
The sign hanging above the head of Jesus was intended to mock the Jewish authorities and to reproach the claim of Jesus.
But God changed things. Pilate who was His judge had now proclaimed the glory of God.
So the cross had actually become the first throne of King Jesus!
And this was written in the known languages of that day.
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Just when this world thinks it is in control, God shows up to make a mockery of those who ridicule Him!
But still the world is full of unbelievers!
*****Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
First we have a man in the same predicament as Jesus and you would think this man would have at least shown pity.
He had probably never even seen Christ before, yet he rejected the Lord.
So even with this horrible thing he said that day, he is still less guilty that those who have known the Lord Jesus and still rejected Him.
The truth is and we all need to know, if we pray for God to show us His power to prove who He is, then God will remain silent and never answer such a prayer.
God is all about faith and not about proof!
But there is always someone on the right side!
This known criminal became humble and repented because he felt the power of the cross, maybe the very first one to do so!
In faith he found hope for his guilty soul!
The truth is, this man knew that he and his partner in crime were both guilty beyond measure but he also realized that Jesus had committed no crime at all, yet they all were together on this day, judged by an unrighteous world.
What is the truth of most all Atheist? As they see their life come to an end, the love of this world that they cherished all their days will begin to disappear and they indeed will search for something else or cry out in torment even before death finally comes.
When you are on death's row, you may think one way but when you sit down in the electric chair life becomes real!
Every breath becomes important because you do not know which one will be your last.
When we realize we deserve death, it is at that point that Holy Ghost conviction can do it's work!
Then can come repentance and only then!
It takes a whole hearted submission to God for salvation to take place!
And only then can we be "Born Again" into new life that last for an eternity!
And He said to Jesus:
*****Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Death to the sinner is death of the body and then a living death of the soul in Hell and later the Burning Lake of Fire.
Death to the Savior, who knew no sin, but He bore all our iniquities on the cross and then rose again to "New Life".
Death to the child of God means no death has any power over him. We may not be able to escape the death of this body because just like all the material things on this earth it was just something else on loan from God.
We have a new glorified body awaiting us and an eternal life body and soul in the glories of Heaven.
There is not one soul that has done things so bad that they cannot be forgiven by the Lord!
God must judge sin, or God could not be God!
It was at the cross where God showed the intensity of His love.
And Jesus said:
*****Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Not next week, not next year, not next generation but "today".
We know that Jesus gave up the ghost at 3 PM. The Jewish day ends at 6 PM. Jesus made an appointment which He kept before that new child of God had his legs broken before 6 PM and he died the death that we all face but he was in the arms of Jesus before they took his body off that cross and he was with Jesus before the body of Jesus was laid in that garden tomb.
Jesus was busy while that old physical body was being prepared for that borrowed tomb!
Once we realize that Christ Jesus does certainly have a Kingdom, why would we be foolish enough to not want to be with Him in that place!
What does the sinners prayer require? Lord remember me!
*****Luk 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Darkness is a symbol of separation and loneliness and the darkness will always speak to us in lies and broken promises.
The truth is all of mankind was separated from the light of the Lord until Jesus came the first time and one at a time, many have come to the light and out of the darkness!
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
The truth is, none of us can really see when we are in the darkness!
Without true sight we stand alone in this world solely responsible for our own behavior.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The sixth our to the Jew is the noon time hour.
When the Sun had reached it's peak on that day the world became dark and stayed dark for three hours until 3PM or the ninth hour.
Those who have not witnessed an eclipse of the sun cannot know how this takes place. Whether eclipse or not the timing of it was in God's hands!
We should consider that the Passover was held at the time of the full moon and it is impossible to have an eclipse of the Sun and a full Moon at the same time!
This veil that was ripped into was the veil that hid the entrance to the Holy of Holies.
This was the most sacred place in all the Temple, the place of where the presence of God was said to be at times.
The death of Jesus on the cross on Mount Calvary had rolled back the curtain to open the door to the Holiest Place of all to all who would come to worship at the feet of God!
Jesus simply said, "Father into thy hands, I commend my spirit".
Jesus was not concerned with what was going on around Him, He just knew that His work that He had come to accomplish was finished.
John was a witness to these things and John gave us the words of Jesus.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
When Jesus commended His soul into the hands of God, it was certainly proof that the soul still lives as the body does.
It also shows us that the true resting place for the soul is with God!
The truth is when we die we will go through a great change in true living!
But that soul cannot return to God unless we go through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Jesus did not die for Himself no more than He lived for Himself!
And we must realize no matter what we are going through, somebody is always watching.
*****Luk 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
As we have seen throughout the New Testament, these Centurions have been thoughtful and honest men.
This is the man that had the responsibility to obey the commands of Pilate and crucify our Lord, yet He stood amazed at the man he had murdered.
This is exactly what most of our world is missing today. Certainly Jesus was a righteous man but more important He is our Savior.
This was a Gentile who is a "type" of the working of the Cross upon the human mind and the human heart once we realize what Jesus has done for us all.
Jesus had fulfilled His purpose!
This Centurion had only obeyed His orders.
But how did those that insisted He be crucified act?
*****Luk 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
What had God said?
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Many had come with malice and many out of curiosity but they had been overcome by the "Grace" of God!
**It was sin that drove the "Passion" of Christ, we may not have driven those nails but He bore "our" griefs and "our" sorrows.
**Jesus did not die on the cross for all mankind as much as He died for each individual sinner.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
**Jesus Christ is the same in His glory as He was on that cross!
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Oh what a Savior we have!
These people may have come for entertainment but what they saw had saddened them and brought conviction and some were now prepared in their hearts to hear the truth of the 'Gospel".
Hos 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
We are a foolish people to think that every step that Jesus took on this earth did not have a direct and profound purpose and He fulfilled everyone of them.
But there were those that loved Him there also:
*****Luk 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Disciples, secret friends, and even some acquaintances who lacked the courage to get closer to the Lord not ready to pick up there own cross.
The women who had financially supported the ministry of the 12 chosen of the Lord feared to get closer but they were there never the less.
There were many who truly cared for the Lord and loved Him and there would soon be many more and Jesus said "He has not lost a single one of them"!
The three that we know who got as close as they could was His mother Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene.
We can be sure of the the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ!
We can be sure that Christ died for our sins because He had none of His own.
We can be certain of our salvation because we can be certain of our Lord!
His purpose was completed on the cross and ours just began once we realized this truth.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Luke 23:26-56
Crucifixion was a mode of capitol punishment used by Rome in the time of Jesus but was not used by the Jews.
The Jews used capitol punishment but they used the sword and stoning for the most part.
Crucifying was regarded as the most horrible of deaths by the Jews and was a greater horror for the curse of God.
Deu 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
Deu 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Notice the first rule was that they be worthy of death!
**Crucifixion always began first by a scourging.
The difference in Jesus case was that He was scourged before He was even sentenced!
**Then the condemned had to carry his own cross to the place of execution which would be outside the city but in full view of those who entered into the city.
Before they were nailed to that cross, they would be given a cup of vinegar with medication mixed of gall and myrrh to deaden the pain but we know that Jesus rejected this this cup.
God will never go against His Word about alcohol or drugs!
Mat 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
**It was then that the nails were driven into the body.
Jesus felt every hit of the hammer that drove those nails.
All the accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ are in accordance with the customs and the practices of Rome.
**It is a fact that the Lord Jesus Christ died of a broken heart, a ruptured heart which is why we see the blood and the water from the soldiers spear.
Joh 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
The truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ clearly understood from the beginning that He had come into this world to die on the cross and He was fully prepared and had joy in giving His life so that we could be saved!
Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 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.
Let's begin:
*****Luk 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Again we should realize that everything that Christ did had a purpose.
It was not some accident that Simon just happen to be passing Jesus at that time.
It was not some accident that Jesus felt the pressure of the cross at that time.
The truth is, that the trials of this life come when we least expect them.
The cross that we are to bear in this life is usually laid upon us at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place.
We often think of Christ bearing the cross for our sin and that is so true, but here we see a sinner bearing the cross for Jesus Christ.
It is that close personal relationship that Jesus is seeking with each and everyone of us.
It is a beautiful thought that our own cross borne for Jesus Christ is borne with Jesus Christ!
Jesus wanted us all to know He is involved with us in a very personal relationship!
The truth is, we all had have a piece of the cross of Jesus and we must help bear that cross.
Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Nothing in this world happens by chance, not to the Christian. God will oversee the life of all His children.
Simon was just a pilgrim traveling in a foreign land.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Many of the crosses we bear for ourselves are the ones that me make ourselves.
There was a large crowd following the procession that day but only Simon was chosen. It was not really the soldiers that chose Simon because it was the Lord.
*****Luk 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
In most cases it is said that the same crowd that was saying Hosanna one day were saying crucify Him the next day. That could be true, but there could also be two separate crowds. Jerusalem was full of all sorts of people in celebration of the Passover and some did actually realize that the true Passover was being crucified that day.
These were those who knew that Jesus was innocent.
These are those that knew everything about Jesus was good and He possessed no evil at all.
These are the ones that knew Jesus was the hope of all people.
This is a picture of us all, when we get to know Jesus in a personal relationship.
When we realize what great things God has done in order that we can be saved, then we to can weep and bewail and feel the pain of our Savior for what He has done for us!
These people were crying out, especially the women, because they were feeling the pain of their Savior!
Some had known Him for many years and others were mourning because they felt their pain.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
But what we see when we mourn, let it be for the right reasons.
*****Luk 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luk 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luk 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Luk 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
The women of that day were for the most part home makers and not involved in the politics of the day. To many of them, their husband was their lord.
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
They knew Jesus was innocent and they had never heard unfavorable things about Him.
They knew that everywhere Jesus had traveled, He had shown only mercy and truth.
They knew Jesus was the only hope for the people, because they knew that the glory of God had departed from Israel and the land was under the curse of God.
They had been aroused by the words He had spoken and the miracles they had heard of Him.
They knew no such person as this, deserved death!
Jesus simply said "weep not for me" because it was by the cross that the prayers of these women would be answered and prophesy would be fulfilled.
Jesus was saying "trust me, this is what I came to do"!
The truth is, a natural response to the sufferings of Christ is just not enough. We must understand why Jesus suffered and feel a godly sorrow over Christ bearing the sins of the world.
We are just not ashamed of our sin!
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Then Jesus painted a picture of Israel's doom, which we must remember is also a "type" of the future destruction of this world.
They would be better off weeping for themselves!
There was soon coming a day when these women would wish they had been childless.
They would soon wish that they were buried alive rather than see the death of hunger.
If we realize that Jesus represents that "green tree" the "tree of life", how will the world treat a tree of no use, with no visible life left in it.
Israel was that "dry tree" at that time with no signs of life.
We could say that "America is that dry tree" today because America is dying the death of sin.
We are witnessing that today!
Israel had rejected the invitation of God time after time and had tried God's patience.
This time they had gone too far!
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
The killing of the Lord Jesus Christ by such ruthless men was the last straw for that generation!
Just as soon as the Church was established to a point of survival, Jerusalem was judged and Israel was scattered.
Mat 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And then another prophesy must be fulfilled:
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
*****Luk 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
As far as we know, this day may have already been set aside for execution. We already know it was a day when a criminal would be set free.
Mar 15:6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
It would be fair to say, that it was also an execution day already planned by Rome for some reason or another.
To those Jewish leaders it just added weight to their saying to the people that this was just a man like any other man and not the true Messiah.
Just another prophet like the others they had killed, but this time they were wrong.
Christ was counted with the sinner because our Father in Heaven had decided these things!
Over and over again we see God's plan and God just wants us all to be a part of His plan because no other plan will work!
So Mount Calvary came into view.
*****Luk 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Every sinner has a limited view of their own sin, because we simply do not see the things we do as evil!
For this reason, sin to them is just not a big deal and Christ dying for our sin was also no big deal.
They see laws made for others than themselves because they think they have no evil intent.
What we see in our world today is that sin appears indifferent and according to the circumstances in which it is seen.
So we see that Jesus said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".
Here we see the power of "Grace"!
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
The truth is that Christ was crucified in order to bring us back to God!
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Now we also see Jesus the Mediator between God and sinful man, because remember at His death, the Veil of the Temple was ripped into.
It is very true that those leaders and politicians simply did not know what they were doing!
In order to stop God's plan then Jesus would have had to live!
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
And then another prophesy is fulfilled.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
God just knows every little detail of every little thing and even every big thing!
Jesus was stripped of His clothes because Jesus allowed all His mortality to be stripped from Him.
Jesus came to bring eternal life from His death, because He came to abolish death and bring immortality through the "Gospel".
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
There is no way that this world could deny Jesus His cross and that is the same way we should all feel!
We should not allow this world to deny us our own cross in Jesus' name!
God will have His will on this earth!
*****Luk 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luk 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luk 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
What's wrong with this world? Most all people do not understand the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Those looking for a Messiah always have their preconceived notions of what a Messiah is.
Is the Messiah the anointed one of God? Yes
Is the Messiah the Savior of the world? Yes
Is the Messiah the Christ? In the Greek, Yes.
Is the Messiah the expected prince of God's chosen people? Yes of Israel. The prince who will be King.
Is the Messiah the High Priest of the Church? Yes
Was the Messiah sent to complete God's purpose? Yes
The Messiah was never to fulfill the will of the people!
The truth of the cross was, that since the Messiah came to save the people of this world then He certainly could not save Himself!
Did He have the power to do so? Yes
Did He have the will to do so? No, for He would have left us all to die!
You would think the people of God could better understand these things.
From the day Jesus was laid in that manger, He had not hid Himself from His message of salvation!
That cross that crucified our Lord was His message of love!
It was love that kept Jesus from coming down off that cross!
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
All leaders, all those who say they have religion, and all people of all societies are only human and Jesus died to save us all!
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
It was that generation in the time of Jesus, that should have realized the truth but they had rejected the truth and this is what is going on in our world today.
So what is the next truth?
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
This is also the truth of a world without Jesus Christ until He returns.
Those soldiers could not have understood the claim of Jesus to be King, they were only men paid to be obedient to Rome.
Jesus was first offered vinegar mixed with pain killers but He refused.
You will never see Jesus go against the Word of God.
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
Those soldiers also had their own drink source that was a mixture of vinegar and water and this is what was later offered to the Lord which He did take some.
Vinegar has no alcohol content in itself!
And there was also the superscription that was misunderstood.
*****Luk 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
The sign hanging above the head of Jesus was intended to mock the Jewish authorities and to reproach the claim of Jesus.
But God changed things. Pilate who was His judge had now proclaimed the glory of God.
So the cross had actually become the first throne of King Jesus!
And this was written in the known languages of that day.
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Just when this world thinks it is in control, God shows up to make a mockery of those who ridicule Him!
But still the world is full of unbelievers!
*****Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
First we have a man in the same predicament as Jesus and you would think this man would have at least shown pity.
He had probably never even seen Christ before, yet he rejected the Lord.
So even with this horrible thing he said that day, he is still less guilty that those who have known the Lord Jesus and still rejected Him.
The truth is and we all need to know, if we pray for God to show us His power to prove who He is, then God will remain silent and never answer such a prayer.
God is all about faith and not about proof!
But there is always someone on the right side!
This known criminal became humble and repented because he felt the power of the cross, maybe the very first one to do so!
In faith he found hope for his guilty soul!
The truth is, this man knew that he and his partner in crime were both guilty beyond measure but he also realized that Jesus had committed no crime at all, yet they all were together on this day, judged by an unrighteous world.
What is the truth of most all Atheist? As they see their life come to an end, the love of this world that they cherished all their days will begin to disappear and they indeed will search for something else or cry out in torment even before death finally comes.
When you are on death's row, you may think one way but when you sit down in the electric chair life becomes real!
Every breath becomes important because you do not know which one will be your last.
When we realize we deserve death, it is at that point that Holy Ghost conviction can do it's work!
Then can come repentance and only then!
It takes a whole hearted submission to God for salvation to take place!
And only then can we be "Born Again" into new life that last for an eternity!
And He said to Jesus:
*****Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Death to the sinner is death of the body and then a living death of the soul in Hell and later the Burning Lake of Fire.
Death to the Savior, who knew no sin, but He bore all our iniquities on the cross and then rose again to "New Life".
Death to the child of God means no death has any power over him. We may not be able to escape the death of this body because just like all the material things on this earth it was just something else on loan from God.
We have a new glorified body awaiting us and an eternal life body and soul in the glories of Heaven.
There is not one soul that has done things so bad that they cannot be forgiven by the Lord!
God must judge sin, or God could not be God!
It was at the cross where God showed the intensity of His love.
And Jesus said:
*****Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Not next week, not next year, not next generation but "today".
We know that Jesus gave up the ghost at 3 PM. The Jewish day ends at 6 PM. Jesus made an appointment which He kept before that new child of God had his legs broken before 6 PM and he died the death that we all face but he was in the arms of Jesus before they took his body off that cross and he was with Jesus before the body of Jesus was laid in that garden tomb.
Jesus was busy while that old physical body was being prepared for that borrowed tomb!
Once we realize that Christ Jesus does certainly have a Kingdom, why would we be foolish enough to not want to be with Him in that place!
What does the sinners prayer require? Lord remember me!
*****Luk 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Darkness is a symbol of separation and loneliness and the darkness will always speak to us in lies and broken promises.
The truth is all of mankind was separated from the light of the Lord until Jesus came the first time and one at a time, many have come to the light and out of the darkness!
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
The truth is, none of us can really see when we are in the darkness!
Without true sight we stand alone in this world solely responsible for our own behavior.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The sixth our to the Jew is the noon time hour.
When the Sun had reached it's peak on that day the world became dark and stayed dark for three hours until 3PM or the ninth hour.
Those who have not witnessed an eclipse of the sun cannot know how this takes place. Whether eclipse or not the timing of it was in God's hands!
We should consider that the Passover was held at the time of the full moon and it is impossible to have an eclipse of the Sun and a full Moon at the same time!
This veil that was ripped into was the veil that hid the entrance to the Holy of Holies.
This was the most sacred place in all the Temple, the place of where the presence of God was said to be at times.
The death of Jesus on the cross on Mount Calvary had rolled back the curtain to open the door to the Holiest Place of all to all who would come to worship at the feet of God!
Jesus simply said, "Father into thy hands, I commend my spirit".
Jesus was not concerned with what was going on around Him, He just knew that His work that He had come to accomplish was finished.
John was a witness to these things and John gave us the words of Jesus.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
When Jesus commended His soul into the hands of God, it was certainly proof that the soul still lives as the body does.
It also shows us that the true resting place for the soul is with God!
The truth is when we die we will go through a great change in true living!
But that soul cannot return to God unless we go through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Jesus did not die for Himself no more than He lived for Himself!
And we must realize no matter what we are going through, somebody is always watching.
*****Luk 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
As we have seen throughout the New Testament, these Centurions have been thoughtful and honest men.
This is the man that had the responsibility to obey the commands of Pilate and crucify our Lord, yet He stood amazed at the man he had murdered.
This is exactly what most of our world is missing today. Certainly Jesus was a righteous man but more important He is our Savior.
This was a Gentile who is a "type" of the working of the Cross upon the human mind and the human heart once we realize what Jesus has done for us all.
Jesus had fulfilled His purpose!
This Centurion had only obeyed His orders.
But how did those that insisted He be crucified act?
*****Luk 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
What had God said?
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Many had come with malice and many out of curiosity but they had been overcome by the "Grace" of God!
**It was sin that drove the "Passion" of Christ, we may not have driven those nails but He bore "our" griefs and "our" sorrows.
**Jesus did not die on the cross for all mankind as much as He died for each individual sinner.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
**Jesus Christ is the same in His glory as He was on that cross!
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Oh what a Savior we have!
These people may have come for entertainment but what they saw had saddened them and brought conviction and some were now prepared in their hearts to hear the truth of the 'Gospel".
Hos 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
We are a foolish people to think that every step that Jesus took on this earth did not have a direct and profound purpose and He fulfilled everyone of them.
But there were those that loved Him there also:
*****Luk 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Disciples, secret friends, and even some acquaintances who lacked the courage to get closer to the Lord not ready to pick up there own cross.
The women who had financially supported the ministry of the 12 chosen of the Lord feared to get closer but they were there never the less.
There were many who truly cared for the Lord and loved Him and there would soon be many more and Jesus said "He has not lost a single one of them"!
The three that we know who got as close as they could was His mother Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene.
We can be sure of the the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ!
We can be sure that Christ died for our sins because He had none of His own.
We can be certain of our salvation because we can be certain of our Lord!
His purpose was completed on the cross and ours just began once we realized this truth.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
