The Cross of Christ DEMANDS My ALL

March 24, 2013

The Cross of Christ DEMANDS My ALL

John 19:25-30 / Matthew 27

Scott Howard

 

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.  Later, knowing that all was now completed, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on the stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  ---John 19:25-30

 

Ø  Sacrifice means that you look out for the needs of others even when you are hurting.

o   “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27)

In the middle of his pain, Jesus had compassion on his mother and her agony.  He made sure she was taken care of.

Ø  Sacrifice means that you will experience dry times.

o   “I am thirsty” (John 19:28-29)

Sacrifice is unpleasant.  Comfort and sacrifice do not go hand in hand. (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-31, and Mark 8:34-35)  However, when the mission is complete, then our needs will be met, in Heaven. (see Revelation 7:13-17)

Ø  Sacrifice will tear down barriers.

o   “the curtain of the temple was torn in two” (Matthew 27:51a)

Before Jesus’ sacrifice, the presence of God, the Holy of Holies in the Temple, was limited to one priest once a year.  The priest offered offerings of sacrifice to God for the sins of all the people.  When Jesus died, God ripped the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple in two from top to bottom.  God removed the barrier between man’s sin and His holiness thru His Son’s sacrifice.  (see Hebrews 4:16)

Ø  Sacrifice will shake the world.

o   “The earth shook” (Matthew 27:51b)

The early church radically shook the world as they shared the Gospel.  Let’s shake things up and share the Gospel, and not assume everyone has heard the good news.  (see Acts 17:6-7 and Romans 12:1-2)

Ø  Sacrifice will bring life to dead things.

o   “…bodies…were raised to life.” (Matthew 27:52-53)

Jesus’ sacrifice also brought new life to us since he paid the price to make a way for us to have a way to escape eternal death.  (see Ephesians 2:1-2a, 4-5:     “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world…But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”)

 

                Jesus sacrificed everything for me in order that I might have life!

What am I willing to sacrifice for Him; in order that I might worship Him; in order that I might help others to accept that sacrifice as payment for their own sins?