FIVE VIEWS FROM THE CROSS

INTRODUCTION
A. Setting the stage…
1. Matthew 27:27:26
2. John 19:17-18
3. Matthew 27:35-37

B. We have received great benefit as a result of what took place just outside the
walls of Jerusalem
1. Galatians 2:20
2. Galatians 6:14
3. Galatians 5:24

C. Let us travel back into history…
1. Passover was a busy time in Jerusalem
a. Every Jew wanted to be in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover
b. The situation was so volatile that the ruling Romans reinforced the guards
for the occasion

2. With a crowd that large it is only reasonable to assume that there was a mass
of people at Calvary for such a public spectacle as a crucifixion
a. They were like many groups today – migrating to the spot of action
b. Something critical to all mankind was taking place outside one of the city
gates of Jerusalem

3. The victim that day was the one we claim as our Savior on this day

4. Jesus had gone through the mockery of a trial
a. He had gone without food and rest
b. He had been:
1) Hit with fists and slapped
2) Spat on – had His pulled (Isa. 50:6)
3) Crown of thorns … Scourged
c. No doubt, Jesus was in a terribly weakened state

5. The shameful procession to the place of crucifixion revealed a people whose
lives had not been tempered by God’s love

6. While Jesus was being crucified, hanging on the cross between two thieves,
awaiting His death, the pain He was feeling must have been excruciating
a. Nevertheless, in that great pain He was thinking of others – not Himself
b. What did Jesus see from the cross?

DISCUSSION
A. JESUS LOOKED AND SAW MISGUIDED PEOPLE
1. Luke 23:34 … Matthew 27:36
2. The crowd that gathered there, for the most part, was under the influence of
powerful men
a. They had been taught to trust the Sanhedrin in such matters
b. On this day the Sanhedrin had yielded to the influence of several powerful
men
c. They had set events in motion that moved so rapidly the people became
misguided
3. Jesus still loved them and wanted them to experience forgiveness
a. He took the initiative to forgive those misguided people
b. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”
4. Jesus looks at us today with a desire that we will know forgiveness

B. JESUS LOOKED AND SAW AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WANTED TO GO
TO HEAVEN…AND ANOTHER ONE WHO DID NOT
1. Luke 23:39-43
2. Even in the process of dying, Jesus took time to think of others
3. Notice the difference in the two men:
a. The one repented and was forgiven
b. The one who did not repent died in his sins
4. The same is true today
a. Some will listen and some will not
b. Some are interested and some are not
c. Some will obey the Gospel and some will not
5. Today, let us seek those who will…

C. JESUS LOOKED AND SAW TWO PEOPLE WHO NEEDED SPECIAL
ATTENTION – ONE WAS FAMILY – THE OTHER WAS A FRIEND
1. John 19:25-27
2. Jesus saw the broken heart of His mother
a. He knew how much she loved Him
b. He also knew that it was the oldest son’s responsibility to care for her
c. He instructed her to look to for her needs
3. Jesus saw His broken hearted friend, John
a. It appears that John was Jesus’ closest earthly friend
b. Jesus knew John needed a way to demonstrate his love
c. Even in His hour of pain, Jesus helped others
4. We should not be so self-centered that we are blinded to the needs of others…

D. JESUS LOOKED BACKWARD OVER TIME AND SAW ALL THE
FAITHFUL AND RIGHTEOUS THAT WOULD FINALLY BECOME
PERMANENTLY CLEANSED THAT DAY
1. Hebrews 9:11-15
2. The righteous people in the Old Testament, through their faithfulness and
animal sacrifices, had only paid the interest on the sin debt that they owed
3. Jesus, in His death, paid and removed the total sin debt for all Old testament
faithful … and us as well

E. JESUS LOOKED FORWARD ACROSS THE PAGES OF TIME AND
SAW YOU AND ME
1. Hebrews 9:26-28
a. Hebrews 9:22
b. Hebrews 10:19-25
2. His blood has the cleansing power to reach every sin committed since Genesis
3 when the first sin was committed, to the last sin committed in the future
before His return
a. Eternally speaking … You are no match for your sins
b. You cannot cleanse yourself by yourself
c. Only by the blood of Christ can you be made clean in God’s sight
d. Once you have obeyed the Gospel and have been
cleansed of every sin you have ever committed –
remember this… Romans 4:7-8

CONCLUSION
A. When Jesus was on the cross we were on His mind
B. Jesus cared enough to go to the cross for you and me
1. Will you care enough for Him to obey His commandments and come to the
Heavenly father through Him?
2. 1 John 5:3