The Secret Power of the Cross

 
Jesus’ Crucifixion – The Secret Power of the Cross By Pastor Dan Kennedy © April 13, 2014 www.pastorkennedy.com How do you Defeat a Ruthless, Wicked Foe? Do you defeat them by responding more wickedly than they? If an evil party is consumed with their own well-being, success, social standing, using hatred, lying, deceiving, malicious gossip, murder and desire for power to get their own way, can they only be defeated by others responding back harder than they, colder, more cruel and more desperately wicked? How would you respond if you were God, who created all things, and your very Person is One who is: • Gracious, • Compassionate, • Humble, • True, • Loving, • Just, • Holy and • Righteous? Had God Made a Fatal Mistake? Some may say God seemed to have made a fatal mistake in His creation…He created these amazing angelic beings and profound human beings (made in His own Image) with the ability to have a “will”, to take pride in themselves, with the freedom of choice and even the capacity to rebel against the will of their Maker and Master. (Including, with that ability to make choices, the accountability to suffer the consequences of their rebellious choices.) In Creation, God had formed a powerful archangel who, in time, through the motivation of his own pride and lust for more power – sought to exercise his own will – to dethrone his Creator. The archangel stirred up a massive angelic rebellion of unrest. Satan sought to usurp God in order to establish his own kingdom, where he would become like God. Satan, removed from his heavenly position, then took one-third of the angels who rebelled with him, to establish his own kingdom on the earth – deceiving those whom God had created. Evil infected Good. Darkness sought to overcome Light. How did God, the merciful, kind and just Creator respond? Did He know what was happening? Why did God allow this rebellion to happen? The Fulfillment of God’s Kingdom How could God, the Creator, establish for Himself a Kingdom, out of all those He created, which would only be filled with those who loved Him, who were seeking His righteousness and who would be genuine Children of God? Did our all-Knowing, all-Powerful and Sovereign God allow fateful decisions to be the means whereby those who truly loved Him would be revealed – those chosen in His Foreknowledge, to become Christ’s Bride and inhabit His Eternal Kingdom? Did God allow the revelation of the birth of the Children of His Kingdom to be revealed as beacons of light out of the midst of the dark, oppressive carnage of an earthly evil kingdom established in rebellion against God? • The Graphic Dichotomy apparent between the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of Heaven The Domain of Darkness With the Desire to Supersede over God at any cost Pride Power Fear Selfishness/Egocentric Status Accumulative Greed Lies Deception Domination, etc. [Contrasted with...] The Kingdom of Heaven, God’s Unlimited Universal Supernatural Domain Humility Meekness Love Selfless Outreach and Care with Wisdom Responsibility and Accountability Giving Truth Honest Transparency Servanthood etc., etc... How did God’s original mystery of the plan of the Cross and Redemption of lost mankind, evade detection within a kingdom, which graphically hated God and wanted His Kingdom dismantled, blown apart and destroyed? The Secret Plan of the Cross How did the secret power of the Son of God’s Suffering and Death on the Cross, in the fullness of time, punctuate spiritual history and provide Redemption to a world boiling in the inescapable cauldron of sin and death? God would Implement His Plan through the Cross. 1. The Cross met the universal requirements to pay for the “wages of sin” for us, through “death” with the sinless blood atonement of Jesus Christ – the Son of God. Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 53:4–6 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 1 Corinthians 1:18 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 2. The Cross reveals God’s own Heart and Character. John 3:16–18 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 3. The Cross was absolutely covert when paralleled with the selfish carnality of the forces of darkness. Satan and his demonic forces would never allow themselves to be subjected to such a humiliation and plan of selfless sacrifice. They could not perceive the true intent of God’s Plan. In fact, death on the Cross was so unthinkable, its enactment was fiendishly embraced by the hordes of the demonic host and those they controlled on earth, in sadistically “punishing the Son of Man”. The Person of God is so diametrically opposite to those in the kingdom of this world, that the “rulers of this age” could not understand God’s Plan in Christ’s Death on the Cross and victorious Resurrection from the dead! 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Colossians 2:13–15 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 4. The Cross would establish the depth of understanding and victory that God’s Children would need in their Messiah, High Priest and King – One who could fully understand all of their temptations. Jesus Christ was without sin, but He was not without the complete understanding of temptation. He was tempted in all points such as we, but without sin. We are aware of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, when Satan tempted and sought to beguile Him (Matt. 4). But one of Jesus greatest temptations could be seen when, in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His crucifixion, Jesus asked His Father to “let this cup” – the cup of suffering and death on the cross, to be taken from Him…but not according to His will, but the will of the Father (Matt. 26:39). Hebrews 4:15 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Matthew 26:39 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Colossians 1:19–22 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 5. The Cross would give God’s Children victory and stability in his or her own struggle with the kingdom of darkness. Acts 26:17–18 (From Paul’s recounting his conversion before King Agrippa) 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Hebrews 2:14–15 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Romans 8:38–39 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Revelation 12:11 11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 6. The Cross would give each Child of God the structure and the power from which they could have victory over the carnality and depravity with which they were naturally born. 1 Peter 2:24–25 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Philippians 3:10–11 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Matthew 16:24–27 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 7. Jesus Christ’s Suffering and Death on the Cross will forever be revered as a hallmark in Christ’s Eternal Kingdom. Revelation 19:11–13 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 5:5–6 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Let’s take time now to look at Dr. Luke’s account of the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ. Dr. Luke’s account of the Suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ Luke 22–23 NIV • The hypocritical religious were looking for a way to “get rid of Jesus”. Luke 22:1-6 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. • Satan entered into Judas (hypocrisy, lying and deception work hand in hand – from the father of lies) • Judas went to the chief priests and temple guard officers offering to betray Jesus and they were delighted – offering him money. • Judas looked for an opportunity for betrayal…when no crowd was present. • Jesus experienced the “Last Supper” with His disciples. • Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives before His arrest. • Jesus’ accusers – the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard and the elders, came in a cowardly crowd, in the middle of the night when Jesus was unprotected and vulnerable, in a secluded place, instead of arresting Him in the open forum of their Temple. • Jesus was pointed out for arrest after being betrayed with a kiss from Judas, a supposed disciple. • Jesus’ response: “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” • Peter unsuccessfully tries to Protect Jesus with his sword – in doing so he cuts off an ear of one of those arresting Jesus. • Peter Disowns Jesus. • The Guards Mock Jesus. • Jesus is accused before the council of the elders Jesus answers by quoting from the Messianic Passage in Daniel Luke 22:66-71 66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” [Matthew 26:64 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”] 70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” Daniel’s prophecy concerning the Messiah some 550 years or so before Christ. Daniel 7:13–14 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. • Jesus is Tried before Pilate and Herod. • Herod gives up on his hope of being entertained by Jesus…looking for miracles, Jesus was vehemently accused by the chief priests and teachers of the law. Finally King Herod with his soldiers ridicule and mock Jesus before they send Him back to Pilate. Luke 23:10-11 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. • Pilate questions Jesus, has his soldier brutally beat Jesus, releases the murderer and insurrectionist Barabbas as a favor for the crowd; then, without finding adequate reason to crucify Jesus, except for the demands of the high priests, Pilate washes his hands and delivers Jesus over to the Jewish leaders to be crucified. Jesus’ Crucifixion • Simon from Cyrene is impressed into service to carry the cross for the severely beaten Jesus. • Jesus tells those women mourning for Him to not weep for Him, but for themselves. “The time will come,” Jesus tells them, “when they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’” This prophecy is reiterated in Revelation 6… Revelation 6:12–17 12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” • Two criminals were led out with Jesus to be executed – one on His left and one on His right. • Jesus appealed for His Father’s forgiveness for those crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” • The soldiers divided up His clothes and cast lots, gambling over the ownership between them. • The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” • The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” • The written notice above Him read: “This is the King of the Jews.” • One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus’ Death • From about noon to three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land and the sun stopped shining. • The curtain of the temple was torn in two. • Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. • The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” • When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. • But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Jesus’ Burial • Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Friday afternoon just before the Sabbath was about to begin. (Observance of Jewish Sabbaths begin at sunset the day before.) • The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Conclusion 1. The Cross met the universal requirements to pay for the “wages of sin” for us. 2. The Cross reveals God’s own Heart and Character. 3. The Cross was absolutely covert when paralleled with the selfish carnality of the forces of darkness. 4. The Cross would establish the depth of understanding and victory that God’s Children would need in their Messiah, High Priest and King. 5. The Cross would give God’s Children victory and stability in his or her own struggle with the kingdom of darkness. 6. The Cross would give each Child of God the structure and the power from which they could have victory over the carnality and depravity with which they were naturally born. 7. Jesus Christ’s Suffering and Death on the Cross will forever be revered as a hallmark in Christ’s Eternal Kingdom. ~ ~ ~ “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2–3 http://www.pastorkennedy.comshapeimage_1_link_0