THE CRISIS OF THE CROSS
Matthew Chapter Twenty-Seven
The life and ministry of Jesus Christ might be summed up with one simple statement, "He set His face toward Calvary." He was truly born to die. Not as men die, but to die a complete and vicarious death; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and eternally, that man need not do so. " But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Heb. 2:9) This death was not just an afterthought or the forced reaction of a Sovereign to His rebellious creation that was running out of control. This was God’s planned consummation of His eternal purpose for His eternal people. "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:" (Acts 2:23)
As we come to the end of the first gospel we come to the beginning of the absolute procurement and assurance of life eternal for all those who will truly accept His eternal sacrifice. When He cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me," He was at that moment of time tasting eternal death for all those who will truly believe and receive His gift of everlasting salvation. At the very end of that day, the sun hid its face from the awful suffering and sacrifice being played out upon that cross. He then cried out, "It is finished!" The transaction of our redemption and salvation was eternally completed. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (I Pet. 3:18)
This central and final scene in the drama of redemption is truly the crisis point in God’s eternal purpose. It is the hub of the history of His universe. From the cross flows the very essence of eternal existence - immortality. It sounds the central cord of God’s divine symphony of love for mankind.
Let us look at the central characters participating in this final scene of the drama of redemption on that all important day. For not only was this a crisis for God the Father and His Son as they unflinchingly and courageously confronted the awfulness of offering a vicarious sacrifice for our sins, but it proved to be a personal crisis for many of those who were participant there on that hill far away.
The drama begins in verses eleven through twenty-four with A GOVERNOR WHO CHOOSES TO COMPROMISE. At this point in his career as a Roman provincial governor, Pilate had already callously condemned hundreds to a horrible, torturous and agonizing death. The Romans had raised, (or lowered), the act of execution to an art form. They were noted for devising cruel and unusual punishments and for speedily dispatching offenders in the most inhuman manner. This cruel Roman despot had signed many death warrants.
Here was a ruler who truly knew the truth of the old saying, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." He easily held the absolute power of life and death in his experienced and cruel hands. But in this scene he seems troubled, vague and somehow just a bit unsure of himself. It is indicated that he is convinced of the innocence of the prisoner, Jesus. What was his problem then?
It seems obvious Pilate had people problems on that fateful day. Perhaps this could explain why he ultimately caved in to the cry of the crowd and gave way to the madness of the mob. When all was said and done it seems he was just your ordinary, run of the mill, populist, politician. We should be able to understand that. After all, we who live in what is termed a democracy, which in once sense implies mob rule, since people rather than leaders rule, know about giving the populace what they seem to want.
It is a central part of every political campaign. Promises are made to be broken. In our country it focuses upon the economy and who gets what and how much in a proposed budget. What special interest groups gets the largest portion of the public purse. You would think that the populist politicians somehow have a money tree or the capacity to manufacture or print money. That somehow the people can really be given something. You might be led to believe that a free lunch is really possible.
Students of the history of Western Civilization realize that the amplification and multiplication of this populist politician philosophy, as ultimately expressed by the "free food and circuses" provided to the Roman population by the Ceasars and Senators, led to the ultimate decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
It is obvious that this governor deliberate chose to compromise. He wished to curry favor with the religious leaders who were important in his administration of provincial affairs. He wished to please the masses as well. It is obvious that he, as is true of so many of the great and small, loved the praise of man more than the praise of God. "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." (John 12:43) Even though it would seem that he for a moment caught a glimpse of the true light, he really loved darkness rather than light, because his deeds were evil. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. " (John 3:19-10)
In our modern idiom we call this phenomenon of people pleasing - response to peer pressure. But in our day it has reached new heights. Democracies seem to be moving ever more rapidly toward becoming mob-ocracies. People no longer seem to care a great deal about moral issues or about the moral character of their leaders. Secular humanism, situational ethics, relativism and post-modernism are some of the modern day terms used to describe this terrible and destructive moral malady. But not only is the domestic policy of nations being made by the influence of instant mass media, but even foreign policy decisions are made relative to the polls - a synonym for mob rule.
But let us personalize this problem Pilate had with peer pressure. How many people all around us seem to predicate their behavior upon the same principles? Especially when we consider the rapidly decaying mores and traditions of our Judeo-Christian cultures? How many people allow their moral standards and personal priorities to either be set or influenced by the world’s crowd? How deeply has this phenomenon penetrated into the ranks of even those who are supposed to be Bible-believing Christians?
Some Christians seem to think they can walk with Christ and run with the worldly crowd at the same time. They seem to constantly attempt the impossible feat of holding hands with heaven and hell simultaneously, even though our Savior warned this will not work, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matt. 12:30)
This governor who chose to compromise ultimately followed the crowd and turned his back upon the claims of the Son of God . In doing so, he evidently lost his opportunity to have eternal salvation. He showed himself to be a wishy-washy, weak-kneed, gutless, spineless; fence straddler. Perhaps that explains the hand washing exercise. He acted as if he really thought he could fool God. There’s an old saying that goes something like this, "You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time, but you can’t fool God anytime." Neutrality is not an option when one faces the question of, " . . . What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? . . "
If we could somehow lift the lid to hell today and view this once mighty ruler, what might we see? Perhaps he would be perpetually standing, attempting to wash the blood of innocence from his hand, with his wife standing by his side repetitively nagging, "I told you not to do it!"
His choice seems to be the choice being made by the masses today. Even at this special time of the year this choice is being affirmed all around us in our culture today. Surveys indicate that less than five of our population attends a church of any sort. A recent survey indicated that less than one percent of Australia population was willing to really commit themselves to even be committed to the Christian faith. I heard a denomiational leader say on the radio last evening that less than twenty percent of the peopulation were predicted to attend some religious service over this Easter weekend. How sad. What are they doing with Jesus, the Son of God? They are ignoring His claims and attempting to wash their hands of their guilt as sinners before God. Sadly, the strategy is just as ineffectual and damning today as it was in Pilate’s day.
We desperately need leaders and people of principle today. Those who will do right simply because it is right. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." (Eph. 6:1) Even if no one else in the whole right world is doing it and the world seems about to fall down around us; we should do right. The price to be paid by those who are willing to make such decisions and take such stands may tell us why there are not traffic jams on the straight and narrow way!
The story is told of Abraham Lincoln being chided by a colonel from Kentucky because he would not participate in a drink to celebrate a victory by his army. It is said he simply told the man that he had promised his mother at the age of nine he would never touch alcohol or tobacco. The world cries out for men and leaders of such principle today.
In verses twenty through twenty-six we view A NATION THAT CHOOSES TO CRUCIFY THEIR GOD AND KING. (See verses 20-26) This courtyard scene brings into sharp focus the choice facing the nation and people of God on that awesome day. The gospel of the Kingdom had been preached among them by their Messiah and King for over three years. He had gone from village to village and throughout the countryside performing many miracles, signs and wonders to authenticate His claim to unbelieving Jews. Peter proclaimed this fact on the occasion of the confirmation of the age of the gentiles being ushered in. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38) Jesus sent the twelve and then the seventy into the highways and byways with the same power and powerful message. Yet, God’s chosen people would not hear.
The cry of the mob, "Crucify Him, crucify Him," sums up the nation’s reaction to Him. As Moses pointed out to their ancestors, they had the choice of life or death, " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" (Deut. 30:19) When they cried out, "Release Barrabas unto us instead..", they chose death. Not only the death of their Savior, Messiah and King upon a cruel cross, but the death and destruction of their nation in their own generation. The Old Testament prophets had warned of the terrible consequences of such this choice. A few hours before His crucifixion Jesus had added His prophetic voice as a last minute warning. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23:37-38)
History records the immediate fruits of their rejection. Titus, the Roman General who would become Emperor, laid siege to Jerusalem. Tens of thousands were slaughtered. The temple was laid waste and its remains ground into the earth. The people were dispersed again. The diaspore continues even until this day. The holocaust, the continuing turmoil in the Middle East bear mute testimony to the consequences of their rejection of the King of the universe. In this we find ample confirmation of the age-old truth and Godly law of sowing and reaping. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: . . . Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure." (Hosea 8:7-8)
Lest we forget, the law of sowing and reaping still applies to peoples and nations today. Individuals and nations still have the same basic choice. We can crown Him or crucify Him. What is yours response today? What is the response of our nation today. What is our choice? "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chron. 7:14)
In verses thirty-five through thirty-seven we learn about THE SOLDIERS WHO CHOSE TO TAKE A CHANCE. In our day and time I know you do not win friends and influence people by opposing gambling, as I do, both in principle and practice. There is good reason to believe that God placed this incident in the record of the events of that crucial day as a warning about the moral values involved. We are to earn our bread by the sweat of our brow. The Biblical work ethic would seem to rule out gambling as a Godly enterprise which would glorify God. (I Cor. 6:19-20) There is not doubt the sin of gambling finds its genesis in the sins of greed and idolatry. The principles of good stewardship make it very difficult to rationalize gambling as a Christian activity. (I Cor. 4:1-2)
Is it not significant that a culture that ridicules and rejects the very idea of giving money to the Lord’s work, especially a tithe, is a culture that spends more than ten percent per capita on gambling? The greed of gambling certainly reflects the truth that the love of money is a root of all evil.
I once read of a London newspaper offering a prize for the best definition of money. The winning definition went like this, "Money is an instrument that can buy you everything but happiness and pay your fare to everywhere, but heaven."
But, of course, gambling, in and of itself, will not condemn anyone to hell. These soldiers chose to take the chance of gambling at the foot of the cross. But many are doing the very same thing with their soul today. Jesus had something to say about this greatest of all gambles, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37) In spite of the obvious truth of these words, many today still choose to play Russian roulette with their eternal destiny.
There is a story told of a pastor witnessing to a man who had rejected Christ for a number of years. He strongly appealed to him in a last ditch effort to get the man to settle the matter while he still had time and opportunity. The man finally said, "I intend to be saved someday. I’m going to be like the thief on the cross." The pastor thought moment and them solemnly responded, "Which thief? There were two of them you know!"
In verses thirty-nine through forty-four we hear A CROWD THAT CHOOSES TO CRITICIZE AND CASTIGATE GOD. The language of the narrative here is scary and scarcely believable. How could mere mortal men dare to mock the God of this universe in such a manner? How could they be a party to such blasphemy? Just visualize for a moment the procession. The parody portrayed. See the parade or Christ rejectors and blasphemers. Sense the carnival and picnic atmosphere that prevailed. Hear the harsh cries and cat calls of the leaders who orchestrated and conducted this criticism and castigation of the very Son of God. Witness the wagging of fingers and the shooting out of tongues. Here we surely have a prime example of the blind leading the blind into a terrible ditch of ultimate judgment.
But what about the crowd in our culture today? Is its conduct any less critical and blasphemous? The increasingly popular and derogatory usage of such terms as "Bible Bashers and Wowsers," reflect the ridicule and mockery our culture feels for and expresses about God and His people.
In Sydney we have the annual ungodly spectacle of what is reputed to be the world’s largest and most popular Gay Mardi Gras. Hundreds of thousands attend. It has become a popular family outing day. Many of the floats and much of the activity is deliberately designed to make fun of God and His Son Jesus Christ and those who would follow Him.
We have also the terrible situation of tax-payer funded radio and television networks and stations that are the most ungodly of all the ungodly media in our country today. They are in the vanguard of attack upon the Christian values and institutions of our nation. They parody and ridicule all that is Christian and Godly. They praise and popularize every new author who attacks the authenticity of the Word of God and the deity of Jesus Christ. The ultimate mockery of course is perpetrated by the so-called Christian authors and leaders who blaspheme the Name of Jesus by publicly denying the fundamental doctrines and teachings of the Christian faith. The CROWD STILL CHOOSES TODAY TO CRITICIZE AND CASTIGATE GOD.
In verse fifty-four we find A CENTURION THAT CHOSE TO CREDIT AND CERTIFY JESUS. Could he be one of those who earlier gambled at the foot of His cross? We know he would have been the leader of the crucifixion detail. His statement surely confirms the old saying, "While there is life, there is still hope of salvation."
It is never too late on this earth to believe and receive. The centurion found the right answer to the most vital question of eternity. The exact question asked of Paul and Silas by the Philippian jailer. The question and answer are still the same today. "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:30-31) But few seem to be asking it today and few Christians seem to be as prepared and anxious to answer it as were Paul and Silas after their jail house experience. Perhaps the shock of these scenes was needed to prompt these two to really feel, recognize and admit their lostness.
The story of the lost Indian speaks to this problem. Someone found him wandering around aimlessy in the forest. They asked the obvious question, "Are you lost?" "No," he replied, "Indian not lost. Wigwam is lost!" Until one chooses to accept he is lost and will sincrely ask the question, "What must I do to be saved," he remains eternally condemened.
The following from my devotional book "Gleanings In The Gospel," should remind us of the importance of asking and answering the right question.
"I once heard of a man who came home from work one evening and found his wife very distraught. He asked the reason for her obvious agitation.
His wife said, "There was a knock on the door today and when I opened it a stranger was standing there. He asked me rather abruptly and bluntly, ’Do you know Jesus Christ?’ I did not know what to say and after a moment I just closed the door in his face."
"Why didn’t you tell him," her husband asked, "That you were president of the ladies society?" "You could have said you sometimes teach Sunday School as well."
His wife replied, "But that’s not what he asked me!"
How often today do we find people are asking and answering the wrong questions about God and His Son, Jesus Christ? The question of what a Christian is or is not seems to be one of the most misunderstood and confusing of all, especially in the babel of voices that bombard us every day of our lives from the world of cults and false religions. It is really sad that one of the major sources of such confusion is the voice of traditional Christian religion that seems to cry out that man can be justified before God in so many ways, except the right Way.
Is it any wonder we find the lost confused and unwilling to seek or hear the truth about knowing and having Jesus Christ as personal Savior? They have so often been told that their religious pedigree or persuasion automatically makes them a Christian. That if they have been christened, confirmed or take communion they have some institutionally guaranteed access to heaven. Add to that man’s natural prideful propensity to rely upon his own imagined good works and self-righteousness, and you have a real recipe for eternal disaster!
It is indeed refreshing to hear, even in a story, of a Christian who was at least willing to ask the right question; especially when we concede the wide-spread tragic tendency of God’s people to neglect going into the highways and byways with any spiritual message at all, much less asking the right question.
But let us assume we all take our Savior’s simple commands, such as, "Follow me and I will make of you fishers of men,’ ’Ye are my witnesses,’ ’Go into all the world and preach (tell out) the gospel to every creature," seriously enough to go where sinners are with His message. One thing we surely need to strive to avoid is giving out the wrong message or asking the wrong question. All too often we who go door to door for Jesus may seem to indicate, either by implication or omission, that we are there merely to get someone to come to church, participate in a religious activity or consider a different religion. When the confused lost soul closes the door in our face with words such as, "I have my own religion," the result all too often permanently precludes any possibility of returning again to ask the right question, "Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?" , or "Do you know for sure you have eternal life?
That question and the Biblically correct answer is the ultimate determinate of where one will spend eternity. The Philippian Jailer had his eternal priorities right when he said to Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved.?" There simple responses is the right answer to the right question, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." Have you asked and correctly answered the right question?"
