Sermon nuggets Mon Dec 1
Theme- The Crucifixion
Verses John 19:15-16
15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.
The Crucifixion
It seems odd to be studying the crucifixion at a time when the world is preparing for Christmas. I thought of postponing the series from John and going with four week Christmas meditations, but since I started with John at the beginning of the year, I am close to ending the gospel meditations now. I am remindef the very purpose for Jesus first coming was the crucifixion. He had finished the work that His Father had given to Him. This is more important for people to understand than the stories of Jesus’ birth.
I am taken each year how many in the world hate God. This was true when King Herod wanted Jesus dead so badly that he killed all the babies who were two or under. This was true when various times in Jesus life on earth the rulers wanted to take him and stone Him, but He escaped.
What brings 10 terrorists to such hatred that they kill hundreds of people in India? Why is there such rioting in Nigeria? How is it thousands are tortured in North Korea and in China? Why is the spread of the Bible illegal in many countries?
Although the papers will be quick to point out it is for political jockeying for power, yet all those groups whether communist, Muslin, or Hindu, are intent on stopping the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
From that early prophecy in Gen 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.", our Lord connects the birth of Jesus from a virgin to the hatred and crucifixion of Jesus to the offspring of the serpent. We know him to be Satan and his demonic forces. The difference people have politically can bring wars for power and money, but the hatred that is motivated by Satan against Christ finds no rest when we know he had been defeated and wants to bring as many down with him to hell.
As we have looked at various aspects of Jesus arrest, trial, beating, mockery, we now center our thoughts on the crucifixion and center some of our thoughts around the cross.
Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair and turns an innocent person to the people. We have reminded ourselves of the hatred , but his Roman guard must carry out the work. This passage points out the deep love of God. We see contrast with the injustice of man with the justice of God in carrying out our sentence. The apostle John seems more concerned in conveying the prophetic fulfillment of the OT in presenting the details, than he is to highlight the physical suffering.
The Hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,: Was written by George Bennard, a short slight man who one day in 1913 said, “After composing the melody, the words were put into my heart in answer to my own need in a time of crises. I had come to realize that the cross is more than just a religious symbol. Along with the resurrection, it is the very heart of the Gospel.”
It was sometime before Rev. Bennard could think of the words He knew what he wanted to say but the words wouldn’t come to him, until he held a series of evangelistic meetings. He preached on the redeeming grace of God through Jesus Christ. All barriers were broken down. It seemed as if God gave him the words that we know. This song is one of the most requested hymns of all times.
My father like to preach at the Detroit Gospel Mission every so often. I remember going with him on two occasions and helping lead a man to Christ who came forward one evening after my Dad spoke. His theme was the cross. But when the song leader asked for favorite hymns to be sung, the Old Rugged Cross was the most requested. When Dad would speak in the jails every so often again this was the most requested song. While I was in the nursing home ministry this song was asked for repeatedly. Its truth hits home to the hearts of people all over.
“O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.”
Christmas is that time when we celebrate His coming from glory to earth but there is something only in the cross that can set mankind free from there sin. That is the attraction to people who need hope.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.”
The crucifixion was an event of hate, but turned into an act of love. The cross has never been looked upon in the same way.
Pastor Dale.
