The Cross Matthew 27: 31, 35-46, 50 (ESV)

31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

God’s justice God’s wrath God’s love, mercy & grace God’s triumph over sin & death God’s power

POINT #1: God’s Justice 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)  

POINT #2: God’s Wrath

Jesus was: Mocked Spit at Struck Stripped Falsely accused Derided Reviled Slapped Beaten Whipped Insulted Flogged Humiliated Shamed Crucified Abandoned Betrayed Forsaken

“To bind a Roman citizen is a crime, to flog him is an abomination, to kill him is almost an act of murder: to crucify him is -- What? There is no fitting word that can possibly describe so horrible a deed.” (Cicero)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  

POINT #3: God’s Love, Mercy & Grace 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 6:8)  

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:8-12)  

POINT #4: God’s Triumph Over Sin & Death

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. (Romans 6:8-9)  

POINT #5: God’s Power 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the POWER of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)  

18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)  

APPLICATION: REFLECT

APPLICATION: CONFESS 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

APPLICATION: THANK 2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

BE TRANSFORMED APPLICATION: 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

APPLICATION: REFLECT CONFESS THANK BE TRANSFORMED SHARE

What does the cross mean to you?