7 Things About Calvary

Introduction

Appreciate so much the way Bobby has led us in song and some wonderful things that we have contemplated regarding our Savior Jesus Christ. And I want to focus more on him today. Of course, this is a time of year where many focus on that scene in Bethlehem, that manger scene where Jesus entered into the world. And I’m glad people want to think about Jesus and his entrance into the world and what it all meant, because indeed it was a glorious scene. The manger is a little bit exaggerated in people’s mind, and we’ll talk more about that tonight as we talk about a manger scene in the Bible that may be different from the one that you’re thinking of, but it was indeed the glorious arrival of Emmanuel.

That’s prophesied in the book of Isaiah, God with us. This was a unique birth in a unique place at a unique time for a unique purpose. The salvation of the human race. And so it certainly was a significant thing. But I wonder, as people consider that baby in the manger, if they have given sufficient consideration to the man that he became and what his life and his death really mean. Because ultimately, that is of even greater significance. I know you’ve seen it, I have.

This family has above, right under their roof line a picture of the manger scene, and at night it is lit. It looks much better at night than during the day. And so there it is, I round the corner, and there’s the manger scene lit up in lights. And it always causes me to think, every time I see it, do these people know what the Savior’s life really meant. What it meant that Jesus, God in human flesh, came and tabernacled among men, as John says in John 1 in verse 14, that the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and that in him was life, and that life was the light of men. I want to ask you this morning do you know what the life of the adult Jesus means?

You may understand that he is indeed the whole of sinners. He is the only hope of sinners. But how do we embrace and obtain such hope? Do we see Jesus? Do we know him as the master teacher? The one who would proclaim later in John in chapter 14 and verse 6, I am the way, the truth and the life. There’s not anyone anywhere at any time in history who could say that.

Excellently him. I am the truth. He is the essence of all real and important knowledge. He is the source of all knowledge. He is the way to life. And that Savior, that Emmanuel, died upon a cross. And he tells us and explains to us and demonstrated to us what it means to be his disciple. And so I ask, do you know my Jesus? That song that we sang a few minutes ago? You know those who concentrate at this time of year on the manger scene and Jesus’ glorious entrance into the world, the fulfillment of prophecy, Isaiah 7 and verse 14, and the magnitude of God’s coming to his world. To know that is important, to appreciate that is important. But what kind of familiarity do people have with the adult Jesus who talks about what it means to follow him?

And those who may understand the manger scene and everything that pertains to that glorious event? How much do they know of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Where Jesus explains what his coming means and what being his disciple means. Do you know him? Do you know that Jesus? I would just recommend to people who think they know Jesus. What do you know of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Take the time, turn your TV off, read those gospel accounts, and become familiar with Jesus and all of his claims and what he says we must do to truly be his disciples, and then ask the question Am I doing that? Am I worshiping among people who are doing that? Do you know my Jesus? And do you understand well the significance of that act that we commemorate every first day of the week, as Dave mentioned?

We are not instructed to commemorate the manger scene every week, not to belittle or to diminish it at all. It was significant, to be sure. But we are instructed by Scripture to remember every first day of the week his death. I want to talk to you this morning about that scene. The one that we are instructed to commemorate every first day of the week.

Calvary is a word that’s tossed around a lot. Folks don’t really know what it means. In the Hebrew, we’re instructed in those gospel accounts that you need to become familiar with if you’re not already.

1. One Lord

And they mean Calvary, Galgotha, the skull. This is where Jesus was crucified. And while we might appreciate this baby in a manger and its significance in the role of salvation, what about the role the cross plays in our salvation? Do we understand and appreciate it as well? And what the adult Jesus calls us to be. When you look at the cross, what do you see? One thing that I see is one Lord. That was my Lord, who died on that cross that day. The greatest sacrifice the world has ever known. That gives me and you hope beyond this life. But it also secured his death at the skull. Also secured his position as Lord of Lords. I want you to turn with me to 2 Timothy chapter 1, verses 8 through 10.

The one and only Lord, Paul says, do not be ashamed, 2 Timothy 1 and verse 8, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me his prisoner. He tells Timothy, but join with me in suffering. For the gospel, according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. This was God’s plan from all eternity through Jesus Christ the Lord. But now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. According to Philippians chapter 2, this one who descended, we are to have the mind that he has, who did not regard equality with God, a thing to be grasped, but made himself of a servant, and he died on the death, even the death on the cross, and therefore God has highly exalted him with a name that is above all names.

2. Two Thieves, Three Crosses

What do you see at Calvary? You need to see the one and only Lord. There is salvation in him and no one else. Acts chapter 4 and verse 12. When you see a police officer, and I know when he pulls you over, you’re terrified. None of you have experienced that, right? Not on the way to services, I hope. You’ve got to be careful going over the bridge and Tombaugh. I’m just telling you. When you see that badge, what does that represent to you? That represents authority. The right to enforce the laws of our land. When you see the cross, you need to think of absolute authority. The one who has the right to rule in our lives. The one who died there is our Lord. At that scene, there were also two criminals, two thieves.

One of them joined the majority in hurling abuse at him as Jesus died there for our sins. But the other seized the opportunity of his last moments to rebuke the wrongdoer and make an appeal for salvation in Luke chapter 23. In Luke chapter 23, as Luke tells this story.

But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Do you not even fear God? Since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong. And he was saying, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. For some reason, this man who had done some bad things and readily admits that understood some things about the one who was being crucified with him, and that he was innocent. And that he had promised of a coming kingdom, which for some reason he still believed would occur when others did not. And he said, Remember me when you come into your kingdom. And then one of the glorious responses of our Lord today, you shall be with me in paradise.

The paradise-bound thief teaches us some important lessons. I want you to note the factors that led to Jesus saving words to him. There was, first of all, an acute awareness of his approaching death and his proximity to what lies beyond. And many today simply go on about their lives ignoring this. There was an awareness of his now desperate situation. And there was an awareness of the only one who could help.

Grace has never been better demonstrated than in Jesus’ dying hour when he saved this man who certainly did not deserve it. Who certainly had not earned and merited it. And while Jesus is dying for the sins of not just this man, but all men of all time, he takes the time to respond to this plea. Remember me when you come into your kingdom. If Jesus could take a saving interest in this man, doesn’t that give you hope that he could take an interest in you? Two thieves, three crosses. The fact that Jesus was dying in the midst of two thieves, that was the subject of prophecy as well. He would be numbered with the transgressors. Isaiah 53 and verse 12. Even his grave would be assigned among the wicked.

Isaiah 53 and verse 9. Jesus says that these things were fulfilled that were prophesied regarding him in Luke 22. If you’ll flip over one page in your Bible to Luke chapter 22 and verse 37, Jesus indicates this. He says, For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, and he was numbered with transgressors. For that which refers to me has its fulfillment.

3. A Whip Laid to the Back 39 Times

Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary tells us about what kind of scourging that was. The whip used for this type of punishment consisted of a handle to which one or more leather cords or thongs were attached. Sometimes these cords were knotted or weighted with pieces of metal or bone to make the whip more effective as a flesh-cutting instrument. I know we’ve all experienced some pain in our lives. Perhaps it’s an illness, perhaps it’s an injury. Perhaps you did something foolish, like you took a hammer and nearly smashed your thumb. And that hurt, as we say, like the dickens. What kind of pain have you experienced in your life? Let’s wrap it all up together into one package of pain. Let’s try to remember all those painful moments and wrap it up into one package of pain.

Have you ever experienced anything like a whip being laid to your back that grabs your flesh and rips it open to the tune of 39 times? Excruciating agony. And that was only the beginning. No wonder Simon of Cyrene had to be compelled to carry his cross. We sing a song that says he fell beneath the load. The text doesn’t tell us that. But it’s assumed that he could not finish the carrying. Or at least it was dragging along so slowly. Yes, this man was a carpenter, one who would be noted for his strength, and yet he is already a very beaten man. But when he arrives at Golgotha at the skull, he is attached to the cross. Oh, the word attached doesn’t do it justice. Spikes.

I wonder if he thought they’re using the very materials that I created. The wood, the spikes, as those are driven into each of his hands and his feet. This is what must be done to pay the price for your sins and for mine. He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. Not to leave us in our sinfulness, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. It compels us to change. Do you see Jesus dying on the cross? Does it motivate you to change? Does it motivate you to say no to temptation when the devil throws it in our path? He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 21.

4. Five Garments

He bore in his body our sins upon that tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. And by his stripes you were healed, because we were continually going astray like sheep. Peter says in 1 Peter chapter 2, verses 24 and 25, but he says, Not anymore. We have returned to the shepherd and guardian of our soul. Five garments. John 19 tells us that the four soldiers there took his outer garments and made four parts apart to every soldier. Now the tunic was more valuable than the other garments of Jesus, so this, for this they cast lots, that again it might be fulfilled. Psalm 22 and verse 18, a psalm of David that was a portrait of his own suffering that had a greater fulfillment in Christ’s suffering.

5. An Event That Lasted Six Hours

They divided my outer garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. A sixth thing about Calvary. An event that lasted six hours. According to the text, it began about 9 a.m. that Friday. And about noon. Darkness, an unusual kind of darkness, covered and shrouded the scene. There was no light of the sun to behold that day. Because this was sin’s darkest hour. The darkest deeds of humanity have led to the crucifixion of Emmanuel of the Son of God. It’s as if the sun could not bear to look. And here was Jesus bearing the burden of our sin upon the cross. Darkness was appropriate for this scene. And the fact that you and I can walk in the light as he is in the light is because of the darkness that day.

6. Seven Sayings Uttered by Jesus

And that we can come out of darkness and into his marvelous light. And to walk as children of light. Overflowing with gratitude. That’s how we receive Christ. That’s how we walk in Christ. Colossians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7. Let this scene motivate us to be the children of light. Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, Ephesians 5 and verse 10. It’s beneficial to think about the manger scene and all that involves. But how much more beneficial to think about the Savior’s suffering? And what it means to us, as we said in the beginning, who claim to be his true disciples. The seventh thing about Calvary. There were seven sayings uttered there by Jesus. The first was a plea for mercy for those who were killing.

The average man would respond in hate and contempt. But this was no average man. This was the Savior of the world. He knew the foolishness that grips men’s hearts. His matchless love and mercy. Father, forgive. For they do not know what they are doing. When we forget this scene, when we forget the suffering of our Lord there, it is because we do not know what we are doing.

Today you shall be with me in paradise. The second statement uttered at this scene. His grace to the thief. His continual thinking of others. Even at his dying hour. Again, for the sins of all humankind. He’s concerned about others, his mother in sorrow at the foot of the cross. And the disciple whom he loves. Woman, behold your son, behold your mother. Expressing the same anguish and grief that King David had, declaring the pain and loneliness that sin often causes, in this case, our sin, not his own. He says, Eli, Lama, Sabakani, my God, my God. Why hast thou forsaken me? Do you want to know what I’m going through here on the cross? Jesus wasn’t saying that the Father didn’t care or that the Father wouldn’t respond because he’s about to address the Father in his closing statements.

But what he is saying is if you go back to Psalm 22 and see the experiences of David and how he felt alone, that’s how he feels now. Isolated. Alone. His humanity, his agony, his suffering, his fifth statement on the cross. I thirst. And then his words of victory. His words of accomplishment. It is finished. And again, echoing the words of David in Psalm 31, upon whose throne he was about to sit, a further declaration of his trust in the Father, into thy hands. I commit my spirit. These seven sayings. Here Jesus is dying for us, for all of humankind who have sinned on their account, and he is still serving others. He is still serving us in what he teaches us in those six dark hours that Friday.

Conclusion

Wonderful words of life. What we have seen this morning in these seven things about Calvary is His amazing love. As we have sung.

Two passages, and we’ll be done this morning. 1 Peter chapter 1. Have you come to His cleansing fountain? Have your sins been cleansed by the blood of Jesus? Remember that day when you were baptized into Christ. Or if you’re in this audience this morning and you’ve never done that. If there is sin on your account that has yet to be remedied by the blood of Christ, this passage tells you why you should and how you should. He says, knowing, he’s writing to Christians, those who had done that, he says, knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your feudal way of life inherited from your forefathers. But you were redeemed, he says, with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

For he who was foreknown before the foundation of the world has appeared in these last times. That manger scene that we recalled has appeared in these last times for the sake of you, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have, in obedience to the truth, purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart. For you have been born again, not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. And like the thief who understood his end was imminent. All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers and the flower falls off. But the word of the Lord abides forever. And this is the word that I preach to you. And this is the word that I preach to you today. I want you to flip quickly to Psalm 68. Again, a song of David. And what David said was true in his time is true in ours as well. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances. And to God the Lord belongs escapes from death. Surely God will shatter the head of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds. What will it be for you? Will you go on in your guilty deeds?

Or will you turn to God, who is a God of deliverances? Was the sentiment we sang a few moments ago true in your heart? Have thine own way, Lord. Have thine own way.

Because of his coming to the world and his dying upon a cross and his resurrection to the right hand of the Father. Are you living that? Have thine own way, Lord. Thou art the potter.

Hold or my being. Absolute sway. And that’s the essence of the gospel call. Have you committed yourself to him? Have you committed yourself to this one who died at Calvary for you? There’s not anything in this world more motivating than this. And if you can’t be motivated to be saved by the story of the cross, then there’s no hope for you in this world. And the song that we now sing by tradition. We sing to encourage your obedient and faithful response. It’s not just another wrapping up of a sermon. It’s an opportunity for you to respond to this Lord. You know what? You could ignore this if you wish, but He’s not going anywhere.

His status hasn’t changed, and it’s not going to change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And he reigns as King and Lord. And the Mayans, obviously, we’re not predicting the end of the world. Because here we still are. But we’re closer to that day than we’ve ever been. And who knows? It may be two days after December 21st. It may be yet today. Are you ready to meet the King and Lord? Because He’s going to be our judge, and you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Perhaps you don’t need to make a confession in a public way this morning, but perhaps there’s some things you need to turn from in your life. Perhaps there’s a new dedication that you need to make because you are motivated by the cross once more.

Whatever the case, look into your heart and make the changes that you need to make. You need to respond, let’s stand and see.

426. A song kept popping into my mind throughout Tony’s lesson. And as he said, as he summed up, if you’ve been guilty of letting vanity and pride enter into your life, if you’ve not been mindful of the cross of Calvary, I’ll sing all four verses.