Today we remember the Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection. His resurrection completed the atonement for our sins and the provision of eternal life for all who believe.

In our sermon this morning, I want us to back up three days from the resurrection and consider Christ’s approach to the cross.

Transition

We are going to examine four facts about Christ’s approach to the cross.

Jesus Went to the Cross Knowingly

He knew the cross was coming.

  1. Being God, Jesus knew this before his incarnation (when he became the God/Man). The cross was part of God’s plan for paying the sin debt of mankind.
    Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  2. Though He was God, Jesus humbly accepted the opportunity to pay for our sin.
    Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
  3. Knowing the tremendous suffering of the cross, Jesus did not run from His commitment.
    John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

    1. The cross gave physical suffering. Being nailed to a cross was a cruel and painful way to die.
    2. The cross gave emotional suffering. God the Father had to turn His back on Christ because He bore all the sin of the human race. I believe that is the reason the sun went dark.
    3. The cross gave spiritual suffering. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, became sin for us.
      2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

He spoke of the cross openly to his disciples.

  1. Jesus did not hide His coming death from His disciples.
    Matthew 16:21
    Matthew 17:22-23
    Matthew 20:18-19 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
    At least three more times are recorded in the book of John.
  2. Though Jesus spoke of His coming death, the disciples did not know what He was talking about.

Jesus Went to the Cross Willingly

  1.  He returned to Jerusalem willingly
    1. The Jewish leaders had tried to stone him a few weeks earlier. Because it was not yet God’s time, Jesus left Jerusalem after this threat. (John 10:40)
    2. When the right time was come, He willingly returned to Jerusalem. Jesus returned just before the Passover feast because He would die as the Lamb of God. The OT Passover was a type of what Christ would do on the cross for the sins of the world.
      We read about the first Passover in Exodus 12. God would cause Pharaoh to send the Hebrews out of Egypt by killing the firstborn in every home. God’s people could protect themselves by killing a spotless lamb and applying the blood around the door of their house. This pictured what Christ would do on the cross to save us from our sin.
  2. He refused to call for angelic help
    1. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, he could have called 12 legions of angels. That is at least 72,000 angels; an army the size of a large Roman army.
      1. He was God in human flesh. He had unlimited power.
      2. He loved you and me too much to avoid paying our debt for us.
    2. He refused to use his power against his enemies.

Jesus Went to the Cross Intentionally

He was fulfilling God’s eternal plan.

  1. God knew before he created the world that the human race would sin and need a divine Saviour.
    Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
  2. Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. He loves every human. He does not want any to perish in hell to pay for their own sin.
    John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
  3. He needed to fulfill Scripture.
    1. Jesus went intentionally to the cross. It was no accident. His enemies did not overcome him. He was fulfilling the prediction of Scripture.
    2. Every Scripture MUST be fulfilled because God’s integrity is at stake. If even one prophecy fails, God is a liar and untrustworthy. It is for this reason that Jesus said,
      Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Jesus Went to the Cross Sacrificially

He was the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world.

  1. Isaiah predicted Christ’s sacrifice 700 years earlier.
    Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
  2. John the Baptist announced Jesus as God’s Lamb.
    John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
  3. Jesus died specifically for the sins of the human race.
    1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
    Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
    Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
  4. Jesus paid man’s sin debt in full.
    Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
    1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

He died for you and for me.

  1. This is an awesome thought. Christ died for you! He died to pay for your sins.
  2. He wants to apply his payment to your account, but you must let him. How?
    1. Admit your need as a guilty sinner headed for hell.
    2. Repent or change your mind about the way to have your sins forgiven – not of works but of faith.
    3. Believe that Jesus died in your place and rose again to pay your sin debt in full.
    4. Admit these things to God, and place your trust in Him alone to forgive your sins, save you from hell, and give you eternal life.
      John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Conclusion

As Christ approached the cross, he went knowingly, willingly, intentionally, and sacrificially. The hateful Jewish leaders did not force Him to go to the cross. The Roman soldiers did not have the power to nail Him to the cross. Love sent our Lord to the cross. He loved you and me so much that He gave His life for us.

He paid the full debt of your sin, but eternal salvation is not yours until Christ applies the payment to your account. He cannot do that until you admit your need, believe that He died for you, and ask Him to forgive your sin and give you eternal life. If you have not yet done so, do it today!

If you already have, thank Christ for His tremendous loving sacrifice for you.

Song: Are You Washed in the Blood – 208

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Jesus Went to the Cross

31 March 2013 AM – Matthew 26:53-54 – Scott Childs