There They Crucified Him
2003052
Topic # 944
Introduction:
- Isa. 53:3-10; Luke 23:33
- Countless millions had died before this.
- But when we consider who it was that died and what caused His death, Christ's death, we have these words: "There they crucified Him."
- Though these words are brief, they describe his death. (Luk 23:33)
- WE WANT TO LOOK AT FOUR WORDS THIS MORNING: THERE THEY CRUCIFIED HIM
I. THERE:
A. The name of this place was ...
- Golgotha ... from a Hebrew word meaning "skull".
- Calvary ... is the Greek and Latin equivalent.
- The place is so-called either from the form of the hill, or from skulls there as the place of execution.
B. It was a shameful place.
1. Between two notorious thieves.
2. He could have possibly been placed a little higher than the other two.
3. All of this to show Him to be one of the vilest of all.
C. It was a conspicuous place.
1. It was near the city and possible close to a road upon which there was much traveling. (Jhn 19:19-20)
2. Value was attached to publicity of executions and this was selected for His place death.
D. It was a solitary place.
1. Though surrounded by people He was lonely.
2. Betrayed, denied, forsaken by friends, God seemed so far off. (Matt. 27:46)
E. It was an appropriate place .. outside the gates of the city.
1. When a person was stoned .. they would take him outside of the city to do so. (Acts 7:58)
2. Bodies of beasts whose blood was brought into the Holy Place were burned outside the city (Ex 29:14).
3. Christ .. like a sacrificial lamb .. suffered outside the gate.
II. THEY:
A. The Jews:
1. They planned it ... demanded it.
2. They did not do the actual deed .. but it was done to please them.
3. They were murderers in heart ... not in deed. They hated Him therefore they were murderers in heart.
a) 1 Jhn 3:15; Acts 2:22-23
B. The Roman Soldiers:
1. Led Him to the spot, they drove the spikes.
2. They were murderers in deed ... but not in heart.
3. The Lord prayed for them also. (Luk 23:33,34)
C. He was crucified by all for whose sins He died:
1. It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross. (1 Cor. 15:3)
2. They that know His will and will not obey it are crucifying him afresh. (Heb 6:4-8)
III. CRUCIFIED:
A. You can read an account of the crucifixion and what it entailed in any good Bible Dictionary.
1. What they did that day changed the world ... forever.
2. They put to death by crucifixion a man sent by God who was God in the flesh.
3. A form of death reserved only for the worst of the worst ...
B. In reality .. Jesus ... the best of the best ... died as the worst of the worst for you!
IV. HIM:
A. He was the Savior!
1. He was harmful to no one, He went about doing good and healing all manners of diseases. (Acts 10:38)
2. He spoke words of kindness.
3. Performed miracles of mercy ... even to raising the dead.
B. He had no sin!
1. Pilate said he was ... "A just person." ... Pilate's wife said He was "A just man."
2. Judas said he had betrayed "innocent blood"
3. Listen to what Peter said about Him: 1 Pet 2:21-25
C. He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. (Jhn 1:29)
D. He is the resurrection and the life ... the grave could not hold Him.
V. WHY DID HE DIE?
A. Not just because of the hatred of the Jews - even though they did hate Him. Jhn 15:25
B. Not just to fulfill prophecy ... even though it did. (Mat 26:54)
C. Not just because He was willing ... though certainly He was.
D. It was God's will.
E. But ... Why was it God's will?
F. Because of the grave seriousness of sin ... and the undone condition of mankind.
G. It took the precious Son of God and the Son's precious blood to pay the great penalty for man's sin
1. And to justify man in the sight of God.
H. Christ died that the penalty might be paid. Jhn 3:16
I. Now ... To benefit from the crucifixion of our Savior ... we must obey Him. Heb 5:9
J. If we consider sin as a small thing ... by that same token we are belittling the Savior and His blood.
K. We need to "Survey the Wondrous Cross, On Which The Prince of Glory Died."
1. We should always keep it on our minds and in our hearts.
Conclusion:
A. George Bennard penned the words and music to one of our best known Hymns ..
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame,
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me,
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory for ever I’ll share.
CHORUS:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
B. Jesus died for you and me there at that awful place .. Golgotha.
C. Will you live for Him here?
D. I N V I T A T I O N
