NO AUDIO RECORDED FOR THIS SERMON
"Picture
Perfect!" • 3.22.20 • Calvary Christian Fellowship,
Sunday Morning Service (Corona Virus Quarantine #1)
Intro.
- "In the volume of the book, it is
written of Me." According to the author of Hebrews 10:7, these are the words that Jesus proclaimed through His
life on Earth.
- When one reads the Old Testament, they are
looking at the puzzle pieces of redemption. Those pieces will never make sense
to any one of us, until we hold up the picture on the box.
- That portrait is Jesus Christ and one of the
most amazing places to view that prophetic clarity and unity, is found in the
crucifixion of Christ.
- How does the Old Testament reconcile itself
in the person of Jesus Christ? How can God be loving, just and merciful all at
the same time?
- How can He succeed in holding every attribute
in perfect measure, without contradiction? The answers will be found here and
the scene will challenge us.
- Christ's crucifixion answers a long asked
question: "Is there any other way to God!?" Jesus asked this the
night before what we are about to witness and here He stood crucified!
- The cross challenges us to consider our lives
and the sin that we would choose over the love and grace that is exhibited
here. I'm reminded of Thomas Kelly's hymn.
˚ "Ye who think of sin but
lightly, Nor suppose the evil great. Here may view its nature rightly, here its
guilt may estimate. Mark the sacrifice appointed, see who bears the awful load;
'Tis the Word, the Lord's Anointed, Son of Man and Son of God." From Stricken,
Smitten And Afflicted, third stanza
- As we enter into this scene, may our eyes be
focused upon God's perfect picture and honest with regard to what our response
toward our own sin should be. Verse 17.
Text
• John 19:17,18 : "And He, bearing
His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in
Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with
Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center." :
As has been mentioned, John is very focused on certain details.
- Our working theory is that his gospel was the
final record produced. The other gospels were already in wide circulation, so
John will assume that those had already been read.
- Each of the gospels records that Jesus bore
His own cross, meaning the beam upon which His hands would be nailed. He bore
that cross beam out from the Praetorium and into public view.
- Rome loved to parade their victims throughout
the streets. Dead men walking carried their cross beams, the patibulum, upon
their own shoulders to bear the weight of their crimes.
- That piece of wood could have weighed
anywhere from 80 to 110 pounds. Consider how difficult that would be to carry
for a man in peak condition.
- By this time, Jesus had lost a profound
amount of blood, yet they put the weight upon Him and marched Him toward the
"Place of the Skull" or "Golgotha" which means
"skull."
- The fact that he bore His own cross reminds
us of Isaac carrying the wood upon his own back when he and Abraham ascended
this hill in Genesis 22.
- It was the hill where God communicated to
Abraham that "He would provide Himself the Lamb!" (Genesis 22:8) Jesus is the Lamb that
spared Abraham's Son!
- Today, Golgotha can be viewed from an Arab
bus stop sitting directly across from it. The craggy, rocky hill side resembles
a human skull.
- Jesus and the two criminals were either
crucified beneath it's shadow or right above it.
- Depending upon who you read, the distance
between the Praetorium and Golgotha is somewhere in the vicinity of 650 yards,
just over a third of a mile and is almost entirely uphill!
- At some point along the journey, Jesus
buckled under the weight and the soldiers compelled a pilgrim name Simon to
carry His cross for a spell. (Matthew
27:32)
- That action was not granted to express mercy,
but to expedite their cruel duty. Jesus was moving too slowly for them.
- When the Lord finally came to the top of the
hill, He was laid down upon the patibulum, which was guided into the vertical
beam already laying in place. John simply adds that Jesus was crucified.
- He didn't need to say anything else. Anyone
from his world who had seen a crucifixion would never need to see another one!
It was a common occurrence.
- Our problem is that none of us have ever seen
one, so we need some level of description.
- Generally, the Romans would begin with
railroad spike iron nails and pound them through what we would call the
"forearms" of their victims.
- The nail would cross through the ulnar nerve,
which is one of the most sensitive in our bodies. The strike through would
create an electric wave of pain through the Lord's body.
- Once attached to that cross beam, the victim
was then raised by ropes up into place. At that point, the knees were buckled
at an angle, the feet laid upon protruding support board.
- The feet would be laid on top of each other
and a third nail was driven through the two feet.
- A crucified person, under these conditions,
could remain alive for several days, though being exposed to the elements and
predatory creatures often expedited their demise.
- Nobody today could ever paint a picture or
capture a set of sounds that would rival the awful realities that played out
that day, as these three men received their death penalty.
- Remember that the other two men were likely
those who had assisted Barabbas.
- Two criminals sat on either side and the
Savior of the world stood right in between them, dying for the kind of sins
that they were guilty of committing, in this case robbery and murder.
- Interestingly, Jesus being in the center
means that He is equally accessible to both men.
- God in all of His grace allows Jesus to live
out His final hours before each man's eye, forcing them into a decision about
who He really is.
- Both men are equally guilty and equally aware
of how He handles His final hours. Only one will be saved. In the same way, God
gives you and I the same view. I pray we won't waste it! V. 19.
• John 19:19-22 : "Now Pilate wrote a title and put it
on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title,
for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written
in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, 'Do
not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, 'I am the King of the Jews.' Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I
have written.'" : It was customary to place a
placard above the head of the crucified individual.
-
In fact, most of the time, that was placed around the neck of the person as
they made their way toward their destination.
-
Crosses with human beings on them dotted the landscape and they served as a
living advertisement of the kind of crimes that would not be tolerated in the
Roman world.
-
What could Pilate write for an innocent man? I wish we knew what he was thinking.
Was he actually honoring Jesus and the claim that he made? Did he mean to
insult Jesus and the Jews?
-
Whatever his intention, written in the three dialects of the day. Why did he
write in that fashion? Remember that this is the Passover and Jews are coming
from all over the world to be here.
-
There isn't a person there that could claim ignorance to the charge that was
written.
-
The Jews who were waking up to this reality on this Passover Friday definitely
didn't miss it.
-
Notice that the place was "near the city." Golgotha was outside of
the city of Jerusalem. Jesus, God's sacrifice, like Israel's before it, was
slain outside of the camp! (Hebrews
13:10-12)
-
Imagine coming into the city and seeing Jesus on the cross, marred from the
Roman scourge to such a degree that at first, He was unrecognizable! Then, to
read the inscription over His head.
- For a Jewish person, it must have been
a further shame in their souls. For hopeful believers, it must have stabbed at
their hearts.
-
The chief priests of course read the title and could not leave well enough
alone! They needed Pilate to change the inscription. "Don't present this
as fact. Present this as a false claim."
-
Interestingly, in the Hebrew language, words and sentences are written from right
to left.
-
When one looks from afar at the writing in Hebrew, something interesting stands
out.
-
Each of us are aware of the designated written Name of God. In our language,
the letters would be the equivalent of our "YHWH," known as the
"Tetragrammaton."
-
You'll notice that these are all consonants. There are no vowels written in
between the letters.
-
Most people believe that Israel's scribes ommitted them to prevent God's people
from saying the Name in a frivolous manner. Our best guess is that the Name is
pronounced "Yahwheh."
-
Because one cannot pronounce it, the arrangement of the letters is that much
more holy.
-
As the chief priests walked toward the cross, these exact letters stood out
above the Lord's cross! The sign over Christ's head literally spelled out the
very Name of God, the "Tetragrammaton!"
-
Imagine their surprise and shock to see this sight! No wonder they sought to
pressure Pilate to change the inscription before anyone else saw it and put the
pieces together.
-
By this time however, Pilate couldn't be moved. He just couldn't be convinced
to do anything more than he had already done. What he had written, he had
written. "Sorry it doesn't suit you!"
-
In the same way that God used Pilate's circumstances and cowardice to push
forward the Lord's crucifixion, here, He uses Pilate's resignation to push
forward His own agenda!
-
What the Father has written about the Son will stand, regardless of those who
would seek to re-write history and defame truth! Jesus of Nazareth IS the King
of the Jews and indeed, the world!
-
What God has written cannot be altered! What He has written, He was written!
Verse 23.
•
John 19:23,24 : "Then the soldiers, when they had
crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part,
and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.
They said
therefore among themselves, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it
shall be,' that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: 'They divided My garments among
them, and for My
clothing they cast lots.' Therefore the
soldiers did these things."
-
Even the soldiers that had the duty of affixing Christ to His cross played an
important part in this prophetic drama before us! The Lord's belongings made it
to Golgotha with Him.
-
All that He had were His clothes and these were desireable for these Roman
soldiers to possess, if only for the purpose of mockery or a way to pass the
time.
-
Can you imagine the cruel barbs that would be thrust His way? "You won't
be needing these anymore!" It wasn't enough to end a man's life. The
guards had to rub it in as much as possible!
-
Unbeknownst to them, they are three feet below their Creator, the One who
fashioned them in their Mother's womb and they are just looking for a way to
pass the time!
-
How many are guilty of doing the very same thing today, perhaps even in this
moment!
-
Jesus is being presented as the Lamb of God, the One that takes away the sins
of the world. Most people are more fascinated with their hair or what they will
be eating after service!
-
John is careful to describe the garments that were divided in four parts, which
represented the 4 soldiers that were stationed at Christ's cross.
-
One man received the head band, the other, His belt and still another His
sandals, etc.
-
Jesus had one piece of clothing however, that was somewhat special. It was a
robe, essentially the outermost piece that was woven from a single piece of
fabric.
-
This would have been an incredibly rare and valuable piece of clothing. Great
skill and affection was attached to it in how it was made.
-
Someone revealed a great deal of love to the Lord in providing this for Him. It
is certainly reminiscent of what Hannah did for her son Samuel when he served
in the Tabernacle in Shiloh.
-
I Samuel 2:19 reports that Hannah
used to bring Samuel a new robe every year she would visit Shiloh. It's
certainly possible that Mary would have done the same thing for her Son.
-
Interesting that it is woven from the top in one piece. According to Exodus 39:23, the clothing of the
Priests was constructed in just such a way to keep from tearing!
-
The fact that the soldiers did not tear His garment is quite telling,
especially given the report of what Israel's High Priest had done just an hour
or so before this. Turn over to Matthew
26.
-
Annas and his household have taken Jesus to the home of Caiaphas. Remember that
Annas is the Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, his son-in-law, was the political
Roman High Priest.
-
The entire event is lacking any credibility, as the religious elite grab at
straws for a way to convict the Lord of guilt. Finally, Annas decides to lay it
all on the line.
•
Matthew 26:62-66 : "And the high priest arose and said
to Him, 'Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?' But Jesus kept silent. And the high
priest answered and said to Him, 'I put You under oath by the living God: Tell
us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!' Jesus said to him, 'It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds
of heaven.' Then
the high priest tore his clothes, saying, 'He has spoken blasphemy! What
further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?' They
answered and said, 'He is deserving of death.'" : The High Priest tore his clothes, a beginning symbol that
revealed the end of the Levitical priesthood!
-
It's strength and power of effectiveness toward God was torn by a Priest that
didn't believe!
-
There will be another fitting symbol that will take place shortly, but the
soldiers did us a favor by refusing to tear Christ's robe! Christ's Priesthood
according to Melchizedek is about to begin!
-
On the ground, the soldiers noted the construction of His garment and thought
it better to gamble for it rather than destroy it! Their actions were a perfect
fulfillment of scripture!
-
Psalm 22:8, written a thousand years
before the time of Jesus, predicts the actions of these men and John recognizes
this with an air of unbelieveabilty.
-
"The soldiers did these things!" Can you imagine that? Right before
John's eyes, scripture was showing itself to be true yet again!
-
The world thinks that it's mockery devalues Christ and God. God actually
predicted their mockery and in reality, their actions are unknowingly bringing
God glory!
-
While there are mockers at the cross, there were also those that stood by who
came to express their love for Jesus. Verse 25.
•
John 19:25-27 : "Now there stood by the cross of
Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His
mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple
took her to his own home." : Jesus
had many women followers, apparently most all of them were named
"Mary!"
-
Luke 8:1-3 tells us that while Jesus
had chosen His twelve men, these women and many others provided for Him from
their substance.
-
These women had been looking on from afar, according to Matthew and Mark's
accounts. At some point, they were allowed to come near, likely after the men
were placed in their stations.
-
The Lord's mother of course, was named Mary. Mary the wife of Clopas is Mary's
sister, the Lord's Aunt. Not much is know about her, but Mary Magdalene is well
known.
- Luke
8:2 reveals that Jesus had cast seven demons out of Mary of Magdala! The
impact of that work in her life led to a profound devotion that will find her
here and then at the tomb on Sunday.
-
These women are standing there at the cross, as is the disciple whom He loved.
John identifies himself this way and has the disctinction of being the only
male disciple that stood there!
-
Jesus looks down upon His Mother and John, both of whom are mourning the
moment. John doesn't report their emotions, but we can at least, begin to
imagine the heartbreak.
-
Mary, from the very beginning, knew of her Son's mission. She knew that He was
her Savior (Luke 1:46,47) and that
His life would bring a piercing through her heart. (Luke 2:35)
-
As she stands directly below her Son, those words are being fulfilled in her.
-
For John's part, the disciple is experiencing the dashing of all his previous
hopes.
-
He had once thought that an earthly Kingdom would prevail and that he and his
brother James would sit on opposite sides of Jesus when He sat upon His throne.
(Matthew 20:21)
-
That thought is now a distant memory and his greatest friend and supporter was
now moments from death.
-
The two are together at the cross and Jesus creates their bond together as
Mother and Son. "Take care of each other." John didn't hesitate. He
took Mary into his own home on that very day!
-
The Lord Himself would be their point of bonding, creating something that would
last for their lifetime and beyond. Two points occur to me here.
-
First, John records this to show that Jesus fulfilled the law by honoring His
Mother. He is her oldest and He is dying. Joseph has been dead for years and it
falls to Him to take care of her.
-
Interestingly, Jesus does not entrust her to one of His own
"step-Brothers." Why is that? Because neither one was a believer at
this point!
-
It was going to be better for Mary to be in the home of a believer than an
unbeliever!
-
Jesus would rather that Mary mourns and seeks to process what she has seen in
the home of a person of like mind! What does that teach you about being
"unequally yoked!"
-
I'd suggest that Jesus views that principle with great significance. Verse 28.
•
John 19:28-30 : "After this, Jesus, knowing that all
things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!' Now a vessel full of sour wine was
sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and
put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up
His spirit." : John doesn't relay this
information, but extreme darkness had come over the land for three hours. (Matthew 27:45)
-
Our High Priest went into the darkness of the true Holy Of Holies and offered
His own blood upon the Heavenly altar before the Father! Everything was now
accomplished!
-
What He does in this final act is for the purpose of fulfilling, or making
scripture complete.
-
When you are tempted to consider your Bible, I hope you remember what we have
studied this day. Think of how many scriptures were being fulfilled right
before the eyes of John.
-
If all of this prophecy was fulfilled physically and could be reported
historically, what does that tell you about what is yet to come? Please keep
that in mind!
-
When Jesus said "I thirst" the only option for drink was a vessel of
"sour wine." It was the preferred drink of the Roman soldier, a
cocktail of wine and vinegar.
-
The soldiers dipped a sponge in the wine and put the sponge on a hyssop branch.
-
Of course it was a hyssop branch! Where else do we see these branches used in
scripture?
-
The blood of the Passover lamb was applied to the door posts of the faithful with
a hyssop branch! (Exodus 12:21-24)
-
When that drink was lifted to His mouth and He received it, the word of Psalm 69:20,21 was fulfilled! It'd be a
great exercise for you to read through Psalm
69 this afternoon.
-
That Psalm presents a compelling picture of what the Lord experienced mentally
on this day. Listen to verses 19
through 21.
•
Psalm 69:19-21 : "You know my reproach, my shame, and
my dishonor; My
adversaries are all before You. Reproach
has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." : Jesus received the sour wine, the very drink predicted and
proclaimed those famous words that thrill the soul of the Christian who knows
them!
-
"It is finished!" Both Matthew and Mark indicate that He proclaimed
this with a loud cry, as one who announces a victory!
-
Certainly, there isn't a greater victory recorded in the annals of humanity!
This word "finished" has appeared several times in our text, but has
been translated with other English words.
-
For example, the word "accomplished" in verse 28 comes from this same root family. The word "fulfilled"
in that same verse is also related.
-
Those words add in color and flavor to this word "finished." Among
the ranks of the military, the word was used to indicate that an order had been
thoroughly executed.
-
In the world of the artisan, the word would be applied by the artist to the
work that was now deemed "complete."
-
In the marketplace, the word would refer to the final discharge of a debt.
Theologically, this word encompasses every aspect of each of these words.
-
Jesus accomplished God's will in becoming the Lamb of God that would take away
the sins of the world. He fulfilled the types of the entire sacrificial system.
-
He executed His Father's orders to the very point of His own death, even the
death of the cross, the most brutal form of execution ever witnessed upon this
planet!
-He
completed the work of art that is the person of God, fully restored and
redeemed by the blood of Jesus!
-
He paid the debt that His people owed finally and fully, having enough value in
His own blood to cover over the entire world, but especially of those that
believe upon Him!
- When He said this, He surrendered His
Spirit. He did not have to die because He did not have any sin. I submit that
until He dismissed His spirit, He could not have died!
-
In fact, the word "bowing" gives us our word "recline."
It's the fulfillment of God's rest and the beginning of the believer's true
rest!
-
Jesus was not a sinner. He died because He became the emblem, the
representative of our sin which demands that we die. But because of Him, that
work is finished!
Conclusion
- Let's pray!
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