The Cross
Tonight we are remembering Christ’s Crucifixion. It revolves around two truths. Sin brings death and blood brings life.
Leviticus 17:11 (CSB)
11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement.
Atonement – “at-one” It is the process by which two (typically estranged) parties are made “at-one” with each other. Another word would be reconciliation.
You probably have experienced not getting along with others. There are attitudes and things said that separate us from another. The two greatest commands that God gives are to love God and to love others. There is no room for estrangement, at least on the part of a believer, that is, your part.
Romans 6:23 (CSB)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tonight we are remembering God’s substitute for our sin, the Lord Jesus Christ. His death on the cross provided the blood that brings the life that covers our sin.
Romans 3:23 CSB
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
Ecclesiastes 7:20 CSB
20 There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.
Hebrews 9:22 (CSB)
22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
God made a way for man’s sins to be forgiven with the sacrifice of animals, the shedding of their blood. However, it was only a temporary fix, He wants an eternal solution.
And that is the good news. Jesus has made atonement for us so that we could be reconciled with God forevermore!
Good Friday
We call it Good Friday but I’m sure the disciple saw this day very differently than we do. In hindsight, it is easy to say it is good because we know the rest of the story.
The One that they had been following for over three years was being beaten, mocked and now crucified. It wasn’t right. Who had he hurt?
He was the One person in this messed up world that actually showed the love He spoke of. He knew the Father, preached of His kingdom, and did miraculous things.
See Him in front of the crowds…
We reviewed part of what Jesus taught on the kingdom from Matthew 5 earlier tonight. But He showed us a number of things. He proclaimed the kingdom, cast out devils, and healed the sick. He fed 5000 people with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. God was with Him.
Here is a quick overview of John 13-19. There is so much in these chapters as Jesus is trying to give the disciples a download of things to remember. Why is He doing this? He is about to give up His life for us.
In 13-17 we see Jesus with The Twelve…
John 13 – See Him celebrate Passover…
- Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (Jn 13:1–20)
- Jesus declares he will be betrayed (Mt 26:17–25; Mk 14:18–21; Lk 22:22–23; Jn 13:21–30)
- Jesus celebrates Passover with his disciples (Mt 26:26–29; Mk 14:22–25; Lk 22:14–21; Jn 13:31–35)
- Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (Mt 26:30–35; Mk 14:26–31; Lk 22:31–34; Jn 13:36–38)
John 14 – Conversations during the meal…
- Jesus shares the way to the Father (Jn 14:1-7).
- Jesus reveals the Father (Jn 14:8-11).
- Jesus permits us to pray in His name (Jn 14:12-14).
- Jesus promises another counselor (Jn 14:15-26).
- Jesus give His peace (Jn 14:27-31).
John 15-17 – See Him give His closing remarks…
- Jesus speaks with his disciples and prays on the way to the Mount of Olives (Mt 26:30–35; Mk 14:26–31; Lk 22:39; Jn 15:1–17:26)
John 18 – See Him in the garden…
- Jesus prays in Gethsemane (Mt 26:36–46; Mk 14:32–42; Lk 22:39–46; Jn 18:1)
- Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane (Mt 26:47–56; Mk 14:43–52; Lk 22:47–53; Jn 18:2–12)
- Annas questions Jesus (Jn 18:13; Jn 18:19–23)
- Peter denies Jesus the first time (Mt 26:58; Mt 26:69–70; Mk 14:54; Mk 14:66–68; Lk 22:54–57; Jn 18:15–18)
- Peter denies Jesus the second time (Mt 26:71–72; Mk 14:69–70; Lk 22:58; Jn 18:25)
- Peter denies Jesus the third time (Mt 26:73–75; Mk 14:70–72; Lk 22:59–62; Jn 18:26)
- Pilate questions Jesus the first time (Mt 27:2; Mt 27:11–14; Mk 15:1–5; Lk 23:1–7; Jn 18:28–38)
- Pilate answers the religious leaders a second time (Mt 27:15–21; Mk 15:6–11; Lk 23:13–19; Jn 18:38–40)
John 19 – See Him on the Cross…
- Jesus is flogged (John) (Jn 19:1–3)
- The crowd calls for crucifixion (Mt 27:22; Mk 15:12–13; Lk 23:20–21; Jn 19:4–7)
- Pilate questions Jesus the second time (Jn 19:8–11)
- Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified (Mt 27:23–26; Mk 15:14–15; Lk 23:22–25; Jn 19:12–16)
- Jesus is led out to be crucified (Mt 27:31; Mk 15:20; Lk 23:32; Jn 19:16–17)
- Jesus is crucified (Mt 27:35–36; Mt 27:38; Mk 15:24–25; Mk 15:27; Lk 23:33–34; Jn 19:18; Jn 19:23–27)
- Jesus dies on the cross (Mt 27:45–50; Mt 27:54; Mk 15:33–37; Mk 15:39; Lk 23:44; Lk 23:46–48; Jn 19:28–30)
- A soldier pierces Jesus’ side (Jn 19:31–37)
- Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the body of Jesus (Mt 27:57–59; Mk 15:42–45; Lk 23:50–52; Jn 19:38)
- Jesus’ body is placed in the tomb (Mt 27:60–61; Mk 15:46–47; Lk 23:53–56; Jn 19:39–42)
