The Crucifixion From God’s View
(The Crucifixion - Part 2)
#154 in Series: “The Life of Christ – in a Harmony of The Gospels”
Matthew 27:45-50, Mark 15:33-37, Luke 23:39-46, John 19:23-30
The crucifixion of Jesus was a crime against the Most High and Innocent of all! From man’s point of view, the death of Christ would accomplish just what the haters of God wanted – but in the end, we will see that God has a different perspective and purpose in all of this! This is why Jesus came - to “give His life a ransome for many!” (Matthew. 20:28).
Let’s begin today by reading the next portion of the narrative concerning the crucifixion of Jesus. Since we camped out in Matthew’s report last week, we will begin where we left off then –
Matthew 27:45-50
45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour [which is noon to 3:00 p.m. to us]. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, [in Aramaic] “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” [which is actually quoting Psalm 22 – take time to read that psalm and you will see that it is the prophecy of Jesus’ very crucifixion!] 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Now Mark gives almost the exact same report, but uses a rather … profound expression to describe the final moment –
Mark 15:37
And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.
It was in the midst of Jesus’ crucifixion that Luke tells us about the other two who were crucified along with Jesus –
Luke 23:39-46
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” [and as we saw last week, from Matthew’s report, both of these criminals were hurling insults at Jesus… for a while… but then one of them began to have a change of heart… Luke goes on – ] 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. [Matthew is clear to tell us that the veil was torn from “top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51)] 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
In John’s report, we read about just a few more details that we simply cannot overlook when you read about the crucifixion of Jesus…
John 19:23-30
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; [John then tells us that – ] this was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” 25 Therefore the soldiers did these things.
But standing by the cross of Jesus were [four women, with three of them being named “Mary”... The first “Mary” is] His mother, and His mother’s sister [who is unnamed, and then there is], Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby [Who is that?... It is John, the author of this report], He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. [What a great example Jesus gives, that even in His dying, He is caring for His mother! He is the eldest son, and is making sure His mother is going to be cared for by one whom He has a lot of trust… We can only speculate as to where James, Jude, and the other siblings of Jesus are at this point – but in any case, Jesus is trusting His mother’s care to a dear, trusted disciple, John…]
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch ofhyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” [τετέλεσται -”it is finished”, or can literally be translated; “paid in full”!] And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
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Brothers and sisters…
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.
Last week, we began a two-part series looking at the crucifixion of Jesus. We began with trying to understand what Jesus endured from man’s viewpoint. We looked at those who were involved, what they did to Jesus leading up to the cross, their motives for why they were so cruel, and we also looked at some of the specific details that went on during a crucifixion…
As far as man was concerned, the death of Jesus was the end of Jesus!
We return today, to consider … the bigger picture… There is always a bigger picture… What man extends, is superseded by what God intends!...
Man, in his depravity, is always at enmity with God, God’s rules, and increasingly, God’s people… And yet, in it all, God is so … large and in charge, that He is able to accomplish His purposes even in the face of man’s defiance!
This has been a truth, revealed by God, even centuries before Christ came in the flesh!...
Do you remember the words Joseph ultimately said to his brothers when he finally revealed to them that he was no mere Egyptian official?... They had been guilty of grievous sin against him years earlier. They plotted to kill him, but ended up selling him into Egyptian slavery!... By God’s grace and providence, he rose to power and prominence!... His brothers had come to Egypt to purchase grain in the midst of great famine – a famine prophesied by Joseph when he interpreted Pharaoh's dream… God was orchestrating and superseding in the affairs of man to accomplish what HE intended!... Listen to Joseph’s words to his brothers –
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
– You meant it for evil… God meant it for good!
The cross was no interruption to God’s agenda. Though man has committed the greatest crime in crucifying the most Innocent of all – God uses it to extend the greatest grace of all!...
Let us make no mistake! As we saw last week, when it comes to the cross of Jesus – man meant it for evil!... But, when it comes to the cross of Jesus … God meant it for good!
There are too many places in God’s Word that speak to this concept to limit this message to just one primary text… Come on a journey with me as we explore this concept of looking at the cross from God’s perspective – and see, not just with our mind, but prayerfully with our hearts, how God was … and is … in control of all that occurred on Calvary that day!
We begin by considering –
1. What Man Meant for Destruction – God Meant for Redemption!
The idea of redemption has to do with an exchange. A monetary exchange happens when you redeem a coupon at the store, or even redeem your cherished item back from a pawn shop… There is a value exchange in order to make a … purchase!
Jesus paid this price! In fact, long before He went to the cross, Jesus spoke of His mission when He said –
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Do you remember the last thing Jesus said before He died? –
John 19:30
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” [the task is complete! The price has been paid!]And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Listen to just a few more passages recorded throughout the NT reminding us of our redemption in Christ –
Ephesians 1:7-8
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insightColossians 1:13-14
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—Hebrews 9:15
For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.Titus 2:14
who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.1 Peter 1:18-19
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
So, what does redemption mean for Christians? I mean, what should be our response to this redemption?... Paul put the answer in very practical terms –
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
When it comes to the cross of Christ, what man meant for destruction – God meant for redemption…
There is a second truth about the cross of Jesus from God’s perspective that we need to see, and that is –
2. What Man Meant for Elimination – God Meant for Substitution!
Jesus’ death on the cross was … in behalf of those whom He would redeem!... Did you hear that? Let me say it again; Jesus’ death on the cross was in behalf of those whom He would redeem!...
This is what theologians call –
“The Penal Substitutionary Atonement”(PSA)
Now don’t let that scare you… Let’s break it down.
Jesus' death on the cross served as a penal – that is a “punishment-bearing”, substitution for those who otherwise deserve that punishment because of sin… The term atonement, has to do with the … appeasing, or justly satisfying the righteous wrath of God against sin!...
This concept of a Savior standing in the place of the sinner is revealed throughout Scripture beginning with Genesis 3:15… For time’s sake, we will only highlight a few passages… Let them marinate in your mind and resonate in your heart… 700 years before Jesus died on the cross, the Prophet Isaiah states what was going to happen, and he states it … in the past tense! –
Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul explains exactly what happened while Jesus was dying upon that cross! Listen carefully –
2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The Apostle Peter declares, as Isaiah did –
1 Peter 2:24
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
He went on to proclaim –
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for theunjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
What is the point we are trying to make from these passages?... The sin and penalty were transferred and absorbed!... The sin of the elect was transferred upon Jesus! He paid the penalty of our sin by fully absorbing the justice of God – the just wrath of God against our sin!
So –
When it comes to the cross of Christ, what man meant for destruction – God meant for redemption… What man meant for elimination – God meant for substitution!
Next –
3. What Man Meant for Hatred – God Meant for Love!
Simply listen to the words of our Lord –
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
Sinners have no greater friend than Jesus!
The very heart of God is seen in His sending Jesus to this sinful world!
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
And, perhaps the passage that most directly illustrates this point is –
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The cross of Jesus was a demonstration of man’s hate… but greater is the fact, that the cross of Jesus is a demonstration of God’s love!
Octavius Winslow, was a 19th century Baptist pastor, and contemporary to Spurgeon… I like the precision in his statement –
Octavius Winslow – “Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not the Jews, for envy; but the Father, for love…”
Listen, as we have all been reminded, especially over the past few weeks … this world is full of hate!... And Christians, literally around the world are reminded of this just this past Wednesday with the assassination of a bold, unabashed Christian, named Charlie Kirk.
The announcement of his murder was a gut-punch to me… The more I have listened to Charlie Kirk over these past few years, the more impressed I’ve been of his ability to clearly and graciously articulate biblical convictions…
The political left hated Charlie Kirk. They couldn’t win a debate against him, so they killed him.
Jesus told His disciples then, and His disciples need to be reminded now that –
John 15:18
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
Do we remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on Mount?
Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.Luke 6:27
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Right now I think we all need to be reminded of this –
Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Listen brothers… and right now, I’m specifically talking to the brothers… And listen carefully… We live in a time when the need for convictional, courageous, well-equipped, Godly men has never been greater!... We need men who truly love God, and are motivated by the love of God, to be the kind of men who loves, protects, provides, and shepherds their families well!... That kind of man is needed in the church – the community – and in the society, even if the society doesn’t want you!...
One reason – not the only reason – but one major reason why many young men today become so feminized and confused, is that they lack a healthy example of a man of God in their lives!... You need to be that man!... Pray that God raises us all up to be such men!...
Let’s move on…
There is one more thing about the cross of Jesus that we need to consider today from God’s point of view, and that is –
4. What Man Meant for Humiliation – God Meant for Exaltation!
Now listen to a rather lengthy passage, we don’t have time to explore fully… We do however, need to see how exaltation came to Jesus … because of the cross –
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, andbeing made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Because of His faithfulness … because of His obedience to God the Father … Jesus has now been exalted to the highest levels of heaven and has rightfully taken up position at the right hand of the Father!
Peter said in Acts 2 –
Acts 2:33
Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
He repeated this truth again in chapter 5 –
Acts 5:31
He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Not only is Jesus exalted in heaven, but the Apostle Paul emphasises the truth that Jesus is exalted to the highest level of preeminence and authority in the church!
Colossians 1:18
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
The writer of the book of Hebrews goes into great detail describing the exaltation of Christ upon the completion of His work upon the cross!... Speaking of Jesus, he said –
Hebrews 1:3-4
3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Much later in the book, after we are encouraged by the example of generations of faithful men and women of God (Hebrews 11) – many of whom were martyred because of the faith – we are admonished to keep our focus upon Jesus… As I read from Hebrews 12, pay attention to just what the focus of Jesus was when He went to the cross.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jesus was looking beyond the cross – which enabled Him to endure the cross… He was looking forward to the “joy set before Him”! There may certainly be more to that joy, but it certainly includes the joy of being … home!... Jesus looked forward to the exaltation He would again occupy! He is worthy of all exaltation and glory, for He Himself has demonstrated exactly what a life … lived faithfully unto God looks like!
And listen… we have not only been purchased by Christ, we are now to live for Christ!...
Listen to the practical and helpful word that is given to us through the Apostle Peter –
1 Peter 4:1-2
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Therein is our aim – our purpose – our … marching orders… The purpose of our lives, the Christian’s life, is “the will of God”! That’s it! It’s that simple… It’s that profound!
You will find no greater purpose – no greater meaning – no greater joy in this life, than the will of God!
And what awaits a life that is lived for the will of God? What does the Christian have to look forward to?... I’m glad you asked, but we don’t have time to explore the full answer… But, let’s hear just part of the answer. Listen to Romans 8:16-18 –
Romans 8:16-18
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
So – when it comes to the cross of Christ, what man meant for destruction – God meant for redemption… What man meant for elimination – God meant for substitution. What man meant for hatred – God meant as a demonstration of His love… And when man meant to humiliate Christ – God has turned to the exaltation of God … and for the child of God to share in His glorification!
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What does it mean to redeem something? How is the cross of Jesus a payment for our salvation?
- Specifically, what does “penal, substitutionary, atonement” mean?
- How does Jesus’ death demonstrate God’s love?
- Why does the world, those locked in the kingdom of darkness, hate true Christians? How are we to respond to those who hate Jesus, and Christians?
- God the Father sees the cross of Jesus from a totally different perspective than those who perpetrated the crime. What other “facets of meaning” can you think of, when it comes to thinking about the cross of Jesus from God’s perspective?
