Hi everyone! This past Sunday I preached on the topic of the Crucifixion of Jesus.
How much do you know about the death of Jesus? Why did He die? How did He die? When did He die?
You can listen to the sermon via Podcast and Youtube. I’ve also attached my sermon outline in PDF form if you would like to follow along. It is also in text below. Enjoy! And remember Jesus loves you.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-can-do-with-benjamin-lee/id1488687000?uo=4
Sermon
Introduction:
- “How did they die?” It’s a question people ask upon hearing the death of someone. I received a text earlier this week about someone who committed suicide. I’ve been to funerals this year and I believe every year since preaching in 2009.
- “How did they die?” Death can happen in a variety of ways. As we think about our theme, “Freed from sin, servants to God” we must think about the death of Christ. The scriptures teach us how He died and why He died. His death and sacrifice should never be forgotten.
- If someone asked you, “Tell me about the crucifixion of Jesus” what would you share? What details might you give? This morning let’s consider the crucifixion of Jesus.
The Lesson:
- What does “Crucifixion” mean?
- It was the Jews who cried out to “crucify crucify” him in (John 19:1-6). The word and usage… 1. To impale on the cross, stake, drive down stakes, to destroy, to execute on a cross.
2. To crucify is to execute someone on a cross, (Luke 23:32; Acts 13:28). Jesus carried His cross for a while before a man named Simon did, (Luke 23:26).- Nails would have been driven in His wrists/hands and His feet.
- He would have been laid on the cross, driven with nails, and then stood up.
- One would eventually die due to exhaustion or asphyxiation.
- After His death, He was taken down, (Acts 13:39).
- In (Psalm 22:16-18), we see this would have included a piercing of hands and feet.
1. Roman crucifixions were public for all to see for the sake of humiliation and for people to know the person had truly died. Paul said God displayed Him publicly, (Rom. 3:25).
2. It was a cruel death. Jesus’ death would be even more cruel with the thorns in His head.
- It was the Jews who cried out to “crucify crucify” him in (John 19:1-6). The word and usage… 1. To impale on the cross, stake, drive down stakes, to destroy, to execute on a cross.
- What the prophets said about Jesus’ crucifixion
- As we’ve seen in (Psalm 22) the prophets foretold the events surrounding the death of Jesus.
- For Jesus, it was an intense time of emotional and physical pain, (Psalm 22:1; Matt 27:46).
- For Jesus, it was a time of intense humiliation, (Psalm 22:6-8; Matt 27:39).
- Isaiah spoke about Jesus being wounded on our behalf, (Isaiah 53:5-6).
- His suffering on the cross was for our benefit. It was to pay the price for our sins.
- The execution would be successful. He died on the cross for our transgression (Isaiah 53:8).
- Zechariah spoke about the piercing the Messiah would endure, (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37).
- As we’ve seen in (Psalm 22) the prophets foretold the events surrounding the death of Jesus.
- What Jesus said about His crucifixion
A. Jesus spoke often about His death during His ministry.
- He spoke to the Jews about His temple (body) being destroyed, (John 2:19-22).
- He spoke about laying down His life, (John 10:17-18).
- He spoke about the suffering about to take place, (Matthew 16:21-23). This suffering on the cross was the will of God.
- He spoke about how He would be lifted, (John 3:13-15). John gives us further commentary on this idea of “being lifted up.” In (John 12:31-33) Jesus was indicating the kind of death.
- He spoke about the Father giving Him for the whole world, (John 3:16).
B. Jesus foretold that He would die, what it would entail, and what would happen afterwards.
IV. Additional Details about Jesus’ crucifixion
- The crucifixion is mentioned in all four gospels. They give us great details about His death.
- Where He was crucified. Outside the walls of the city, (Hebrews 13:11-12; John 19:17).
- When He was crucified. On the preparation day of the Passover, (John 19:14).
- Specifically, He was put on the cross around the third hour, (Mark 15:25).
- It became dark from the sixth to the ninth hour, (Matthew 27:45).
- It was shortly at that time when Jesus would die, (Matthew 27:50).
- What others said about Him.
- Pilate said He had done no evil, (Matthew 27:22-23).
- People mocked and rehearsed what He said in His ministry, (Matthew 27:40).
- Chief Priests and scribes mocked Him, (Matthew 27:41-43).
- The robbers were insulting Him as well, (Matthew 27:44).
- The Centurion praised God saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” (Luke 23:47).
- Amazing events also took place during His sacrifice on the cross.
- Pilates wife suffered in a dream, (Matthew 27:19).
- Darkness for three hours. (Matthew 27:45).
- The veil of the Temple was torn, (Matthew 27:51).
- More can be said regarding additional details. We don’t have the time to cover every piece.
- What can’t be lost in all of this is that Jesus suffered and died.
- He cried out with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit, (Matthew 27:50). The body without the spirit is dead, (James 2:26).
- He uttered a loud cry and breathed His last, (Mark 15:37).
- “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.” He breathed His last, (Luke 23:46).
- “It is finished.” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit, (John 19:30).
- Jesus accomplished the will of God. He paid the price for our sins.
- What can’t be lost in all of this is that Jesus suffered and died.
Conclusion:
- While we can look at these details surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, we need to see the love of God. The blood shed demonstrates God’s love for us. We need to see price of sin and why we should avoid it. The price was the sinless Savior. We need to see the suffering, Servant.
- He suffered, therefore we will too. He endured, therefore we must endure as well, (Hebrews 12:3-4). He was obedient; therefore we must be as well, (Hebrews 5:8-9).