THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO OUR CONDITION

A Look at Mt 27:27-36

Introduction

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the teaching of the Lord’s church

God has provided multiple accounts of this event for our study and understanding

This evening I would like to do something a little different and focus on a certain group of people who witnessed first hand this event

This evening we will consider the soldiers at the cross

They watched with no emotion at the time of crucifixion

This was nothing new to them, they had witnessed many executions in the past This was a common form of capital punishment for the Romans It is recorded Darius crucified 200 when conquering Babylon It is recorded Alexander crucified 2000 when he conquered Tyre

For these soldiers, this was just another execution (nothing special)

There are many today for whom the cross means little or nothing They have destroyed the truth of who Christ is They doubt the truth of His virgin birth and reject His deity They do not believe in His miracles and claim He is just another

man

They watched with no emotion at the time of crucifixion

Who is it that really died on the cross that day? The One of whom the prophets had spoken (Is 53)

Is 50:6 “6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.”

The One who had a miraculous birth (Lk 2:1-14) Is 7:14 “14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the

virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel”

The one who caused the blind to see and the dead to rise (Jn 9:1-41; Acts 20:7-12) Mt 12:22 “22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-

possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.”

Lk 7:14-15 “14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.”

They watched calmly during this hour of crisis

This was the most important moment in history and they were not moved

When darkness came and the and the earth shook, they would finally be shaken and proclaim, “Truly this was the Son of God”.

The forces of heaven and earth stood ready He could have called 10,000 angels to come and

save Him We also live in a time of crisis and sadly,

many stand unmoved

They watched carelessly as God demonstrated the greatest example of caring ever known

They spent their time casting lots for His garments (Mt 27:35)

The soldiers heard the many words of Christ from the cross “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46b) “Father forgive them…” (Lk 23:34) “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk 23:43b) “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Lk 23:46b) “Woman behold your son!” (Jn 19:26b) “I thirst!” (Jn 19:28) “It is finished!” (Jn 19:30b)

They saw it all, knew the facts, and still did not respond

Have you responded to the great love shown by God?

Conclusion

The crucifixion of Christ clearly meant little or nothing to the soldiers

What does His crucifixion mean to you?

Has His great sacrifice affected your life in any way?

The time has come to respond to this great sacrifice made on your behalf