Series: He Took My Place Week 4: Punished for Me
Matthew 27:27-56
The crucifixion—Matthew writes to help us see Why it happened & How the responses of the people surrounding the events give us pictures of how we respond to Jesus.
True forgiveness is always costly. John 3:16. The gospel in 4 words: Jesus in my place. Jesus did not merely die for us; He died instead of us.
4 characters in this that give us glimpses into potential ways we can respond to the cross:
1) The Suffering Criminals, Who Raged Against God. (Matthew 27:38-40). The criminals represent people who, in pain, curse God for not delivering them.
2 choices in pain & suffering:
- You conclude that your pain means Jesus really is not who He says He is & He lacks the power to save you.
- Or, You look at the cross & say, “Wow, He really does care. Look, He’s dying for me.”
2) Creation, Quaking Under the Weight of Glory (Matthew 27:45; 51) Creation shows us that the cross demands some kind of response from you. You can’t look at this & pass on by! Matthew 27:52-53
3) The Outsiders, Who Recognize He is Doing This for Them (Matthew 27:54-55). The gospel can only be seen from a posture of humility.
4) Simon of Cyrene, Who Helps Carry the Cross. This is a picture of what Jesus’ followers are going to do. We are going to willingly pick up Jesus’s cross & help carry it.
You carry the cross when you take the step of reaching out to someone, braving the awkwardness, of telling them about Jesus. You carry the cross when you willingly undergo a sacrifice so that other people can hear. You carry the cross when you forgive someone & let them taste of the grace that you have received. Are we willing to pick up the cross so that others can experience it?
