1. A Look at Mt 27:27-36

2.  The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the teaching of the Lord’s church  God has provided multiple accounts of this event for our study and understanding  This evening I would like to do something a little different and focus on a certain group of people who witnessed first hand this event  This evening we will consider the soldiers at the cross

3.  This was nothing new to them, they had witnessed many executions in the past  This was a common form of capital punishment for the Romans  It is recorded Darius crucified 200 when conquering Babylon  It is recorded Alexander crucified 2000 when he conquered Tyre  For these soldiers, this was just another execution (nothing special)  There are many today for whom the cross means little or nothing  They have destroyed the truth of who Christ is  They doubt the truth of His virgin birth and reject His deity  They do not believe in His miracles and claim He is just another man

4.  Who is it that really died on the cross that day?  The One of whom the prophets had spoken ( Is 53 )  Is 50:6 “ 6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.”  The One who had a miraculous birth ( Lk 2:1-14 )  Is 7:14 “ 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel”  The one who caused the blind to see and the dead to rise ( Jn 9:1-41; Acts 20:7-12 )  Mt 12:22 “ 22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon- possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.”  Lk 7:14-15 “ 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.”

5.  This was the most important moment in history and they were not moved  When darkness came and the and the earth shook, they would finally be shaken and proclaim, “Truly this was the Son of God”.  The forces of heaven and earth stood ready  He could have called 10,000 angels to come and save Him  We also live in a time of crisis and sadly, many stand unmoved

6.  They spent their time casting lots for His garments ( Mt 27:35 )  The soldiers heard the many words of Christ from the cross  “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ( Mt 27:46b )  “Father forgive them…” ( Lk 23:34 )  “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” ( Lk 23:43b )  “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.” ( Lk 23:46b )  “Woman behold your son!” ( Jn 19:26b )  “I thirst!” ( Jn 19:28 )  “It is finished!” ( Jn 19:30b )  They saw it all, knew the facts, and still did not respond  Have you responded to the great love shown by God?

7.  The crucifixion of Christ clearly meant little or nothing to the soldiers  What does His crucifixion mean to you?  Has His great sacrifice affected your life in any way?  The time has come to respond to this great sacrifice made on your behalf