2.  The basis for our study is: Matthew 27:38-42.  In particular the phrase: “let Him now come down from the cross.”  He didn’t have to stay on the cross: Matt. 26:53.  We sing songs about this: Ten Thousand Angels and He Didn’t Come Down. 2

3. 3 Often I stop to think just where I’d be Had Jesus come down from that cruel tree, There’d be no hope for man; no peace could be found Thank God, I’m glad that He didn’t come down He didn’t come down; oh, no, He didn’t come down Twelve legions of angels were camped all around He could have called them to set Him free, But He stayed on the cross for you and for me He Didn’t Come Down

4. 4 Picture His mother there with tears in her eyes, As they mocked and scorned Him and pierced His side They said, “If you be King, then come to the ground”; But He prayed, “Forgive them,” and He didn’t come down He didn’t come down; oh, no, He didn’t come down Twelve legions of angels were camped all around He could have called them to set Him free, But He stayed on the cross for you and for me He Didn’t Come Down

6.  Imagine all 27 books of the New Testament gone!  Why did He come? Heb. 10:9-10  By not coming down He ushered in the New Testament; saving all men that “obey Him”: Heb. 5:8-9; 9:15-17.  If He had come down there would be no gospel: 1 Cor. 15:1-4. 6 He Didn’t Come Down

7.  Jesus promised to build the church on a sure foundation: Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:24, 26-27.  Effect of Peter’s sermon: Acts 2:36.  Peter’s instructions are simple, but profound: Acts 2:38.  Christ is the “savior of the body” which is the “church”: Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:24; Eph. 5:23.  How was the church “purchased”? Acts 20:28 7 He Didn’t Come Down

8.  Notice what the Hebrew writer said: Heb. 9:22.  Under the Old Covenant sins were remembered each year: Heb. 10:1-4.  If Jesus had come down Peter could not have preached Acts 2:38.  Hallelujah! He didn’t come down! Eph. 1:7 8 He Didn’t Come Down

9.  Sin separates us from God! Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 8:7; Jas. 4:4; Rom. 3:23  If Jesus had come down…no reconciliation! Heb. 12:2, 3; Eph. 2:13-17  Note Paul’s description if Jesus had come down: Eph. 2:12.  He hung there willingly for you and me! Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8  But He didn’t come down! We are reconciled to God through the cross! Eph. 2:22  As the song says, “There’s a fountain free, ‘tis for you and me; There’s a living stream, with a crystal gleam; From the throne of life now it flows.” 9 He Didn’t Come Down

10.  The theme of the epistle to the Romans is justification (i.e., acquittal of sin, declared ‘not guilty’): Rom. 5:1.  But if Jesus had come down from the cross there would be no justification! Rom. 5:6-10  He could have come down! He had power to spare to come down! “He could have called ten thousand angels To destroy the world and set Him free. He could have called ten thousand angels, But He died alone, for you and me.” 10 He Didn’t Come Down

11.  The religion of Jesus Christ is the grandest of all religions because we live “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began”: Titus 1:2.  But if Jesus came down from the cross there would be no hope; can you imagine that? Paul did! 1 Cor. 15:12-19  Hope saves us because it is a great motivator: Rom. 8:24; Heb. 6:18-19.  The Bible describes our hope as: “a living hope”: 1 Pet. 1:3 “a living hope”: 1 Pet. 1:3 “a blessed hope”: Titus 2:13 “a blessed hope”: Titus 2:13 “the hope of the gospel”: Col. 1:23 “the hope of the gospel”: Col. 1:23 “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven”: Col. 1:5 “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven”: Col. 1:5 11 He Didn’t Come Down

12.  Jesus had comforting last words to the apostles: Jn. 14:1-3.  Thomas didn’t understand so the Lord cleared the air: Jn. 14:6.  If He had come down from the cross all this would be nullified!  There’d be no place for those desiring to obey the gospel! “He didn’t come down; oh, no, He didn’t come down Twelve legions of angels were camped all around He could have called them to set Him free, But He stayed on the cross for you and for me 12 He Didn’t Come Down

13.  Thank God Jesus didn’t come down from the cross! Heb. 12:2  Because He didn’t come down and endured it all He has “been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”: Heb. 5:9.  All he accomplished by staying on the cross is null & void for those who do not “obey Him”: Heb. 5:9.  Won’t you “obey Him” and accept God’s gracious gift? 13