RESURRECTION SERVICE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROCEEDINGS AROUND THE CROSS

RESURRECTION SERVICE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROCEEDINGS AROUND THE CROSS

Lk 23:26; Matt. 27:31–56; Mark 15:20–41; John 19:16–30

Download Here…….  RESURRECTION SERVICE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROCEEDINGS AROUND THE CROSS 21.4.19

INTRODUCTION

The essence of Easter is for the benefit and edification of man. It is an error to assume that Jesus is the reason for the season. Jesus came in the form of a man so that the sons of men can become the sons of God – Phil 4:2. He came because of His bride – the church and endured the shame, pain humiliation and the worst form of death because of her. To reign in eternal life with Christ, there is no crown without a cross to be carried and borne. The ultimate role model of all believers, our Lord Jesus Christ also endured the cross before He could access the eternal reward of sitting at the right hand of the Father. Heb 12:4.

PEOPLE AROUND THE CROSS

1. Simon of Cyrene

1. Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

It was a rare privilege for Simon of Cyrene to be compelled to bear the cross of Christ. Simon did not rebel, refuse or complain but instead helped the Lord Jesus in bearing the cross. He yielded to the uncommon call and his gesture put his city in a recognized position on the map of the world because he paid the price. His city reaped the eternal reward by being recognized as a notable city with three planting seasons and bountiful harvest seasons. Simon paid the price for his city, by his sacrifice of carrying Jesus Cross after Him – because several notable ministers came forth from his city:

• – Fifty days later Peter preached to Jews from Cyrene on Pentecost day in Jerusalem (Acts       2:10).
• – Stephen was attacked by Jews associated with a synagogue (OF THE FREEDMEN) that included people of Cyrene (Acts 6:9), some of whom were later converted and became preachers (Acts 11:20).
• – They appear to have traveled as far north as Antioch, where a prominent Christian teacher was Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1).

2. Great Multitude of People Vs 27 – who followed Him….

These are the followers who surrounded the crucifixion journey with no known purpose or sense of duty and direction for the journey they have decided to embark upon. In a local assembly, these are the group of people who have not bought into the vision and mission statement of church. They are the casual worshippers who have refused to join a company or belong to a functional unit where they can be held accountable. They want to be able to exit at will or draw back without being questioned or disturbed. They are around the cross, but the cross has done nothing in their lives.

3. Women Who Lamented and Mourned Him

28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children…

These are those who mourn in the flesh for “some” cause of Christ lamenting on his behalf. They are concerned with abstract and mundane things that do not add to the essence of the death of Christ. They are the guardians of this course of Christ and place emphasis on issues like “don’t expose your hair, don’t wear trousers, no earrings, no make-ups, no golden ornament and more recently – commenting and lamenting about what they don’t understand – They preach against tithing”. Jesus said they should not weep for Him, but instead weep for themselves and their children because he is able to defend himself.

4. The Rulers

Vs 35 – They SNEERED (TURNED UP THEIR NOSES) at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

The rulers are the men of power, those in authority. They sneered because they thought now, we got you, if you are the chosen of God save yourself not knowing that Jesus has the authority to lay down his life and to take it up again – John 10:17-18, Phil 2:8.

The rulers used the instrument of state and the apparatus of government to intimidate Jesus forgetting the fact that all power in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus. He was only fulfilling purpose because of His love for man and they were only temporary users and despicable abusers of the power.

  5. The Soldiers

Vs 36 – they mocked him, coming and offering him sour wine

The soldiers (the obedient foot soldiers of the rulers, who carry out their orders blindly) ridiculed Christ and made sport of him. The rulers opened the flood gate of insult and ridicule all in attempt to unknowingly fulfill that which had been written concerning Christ. They further divided Jesus’ garment and casted lot for it – Psalm 22:18 .

6. Criminal 1

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “IF You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” :

People with the language of unbelief and pride belong to the criminal 1 group. They attach a certain condition to their acceptance of the Lordship of Christ demonstrating lack of faith and unbelief. Voice of unbelief – “if” you are able to save us, I will believe.

7. Criminal 2

41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said to Jesus, “LORD, REMEMBER ME WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM.”

The second criminal who displayed tactical use of the voice of humility and voice of faith moved from death by condemnation on the cross to Paradise with Christ on the same day. It doesn’t matter your condition, right now, if you humble yourself and believe in your heart that he went to the cross for your sake and belief in the sacrifice he has made of Himself for you, you will be with Him in paradise – 2 Cor 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

8. The Centurion

Vs 47 – when he saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

On seeing the encounter at the cross and being a witness to the death of Jesus he believed, having seen the power of God in demonstration. It all ended in his believing state but he never took a step by taking a decision to appropriate the power of God or draw close to the source behind the miraculous encounter that he witnessed. He acknowledged but he did not step beyond the acknowledgement level.

9. The Whole Crowd

Vs 48 – seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned (went home in deep sorrow)

They expressed a form of deep sorrow, smote their chest and simply returned to their homes without taking any notable decision worthy of commendation.

10. Jesus’ Acquaintances

Vs 49 – stood at a distance, watching these things (keeping vigil); Women from Galilee Vs 49

They were far off and even kept vigil but never drew close to the power available at the cross.

What category of the people surrounding the cross do you belong to? Jesus does not need your compliment or your pity but He is only interested in the state of your heart. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, repent and embrace Jesus today as your Lord and savior.

PLACES:

a. Calvary

Calvary is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Golgotha – place of a skull. It is the place of crucifixion, place of a skull – Matt 27:33

• • The place of “execution” by nailing to a cross – This is a decision to live for the pleasure and the purpose of God and a firm decision to get rid of the following:

1. Execution of every self, self-will and self-motivated agenda
2. Execution of every works of the flesh
3. Execution of every man-made inordinate ambitions

• • It is also the place of absolute surrender to the will of God.

b.  Paradise

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

It is an enclosed park, pleasure-ground, garden – like the garden of Eden – Gen 2:8.

In the Jewish theology, the department of Hades is where the blessed souls await the resurrection; and therefore, equivalent to Abraham’s bosom – Lk 16:19-22-23.

Two VEHICLES separate Calvary from paradise – your position and your decision in respect to Jesus Christ.

1. Your position: whether you are on his right hand or the left.

• You are on His right hand, if you see this message not as condemning you but an opportunity to make it right with your maker.
• You are on His right hand if you see this message as an opportunity to make the necessary ethical adjustment in your position on some issues that bothers on your way and manner of practicing Christianity and following Christ.
• You are on His right hand if you are not ashamed of the gospel anymore but begin to see it as the power of God unto salvation – Rom 1:16.

2. Your decision: whether you can declare your decision irrespective of your past.

• Not minding the consequences of your decision
• Not caring about your former colleagues and gang members. Not looking at the faces of men, but unto Jesus the only one who is able to save you to the uttermost
• Not willing to live in denial of the fact of your emptiness and helplessness anymore.
• Your readiness to say, like criminal 2: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

To be continued…