The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is Worth a Second Look
Zechariah 12:10
March 24, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
www.biblebc.com
I. Introduction (Zechariah 12:10)
A. Did you ever wonder how many people saw Jesus's death? Not a morbid question at all.
B. The apostle John quotes from a prophecy about the Messiah being crucified
1. John 19:34-37 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
2. It is found in Zechariah 12:10, written 550 years before the crucifixion, And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
C. Normally a criminal under the Mosaic Law would be stoned – no one would think of piercing someone’s hands and feet – much less their SIDE, like they did to Jesus
D. But the Bible predicts the death of the Messiah would be by “a piercing.”
E. Something only crucifixion would cause [PICTURE]
F. Psalm 22 describes the crucifixion in great detail:
1. Psalm 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. [FIGURATIVE DESCRIPTION OF ANGRY MEN]
2. Psalm 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
3. Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
4. Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
5. Psalm 22:16 For dogs [GENTILES] have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
6. Psalm 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
7. Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
8. That is a perfect description of what was going on when Jesus was crucified, written 1,000 years earlier by young king David in the Psalms!
G. Let's take a look at the crucifixion again this morning... Not photographs or images of it because photos didn't exist. But instead, let’s listen to just the words and testimonies of those who were there, in Jerusalem, when Jesus died! Why? Because this was not a disaster (even though it looked like it)! It was the greatest victory ever accomplished!
II. Background (John 19:16)
A. A quiet supper with His disciples – the Passover Supper, in a large upper room (13 men)
B. A private time in prayer – in the Garden of Gethsemane, late Tuesday night
C. A horrible betrayal – in the same garden, by Judas Iscariot, into the hands of the Mafia
D. Mock trials – 7 of them , in front of the Jewish Sanhedrin, and the Roman authorities
E. And then Jesus was led away to be crucified (John 19:16) Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
F. Up until this moment, everything happening to Jesus was at night, and was in private
G. But early that Wednesday morning (not Friday morning), crowds began to gather just outside Herod’s Palace, which served as Pilate’s praetorium, or governor’s palace.
H. And Jesus was brought out to the crowds to be formally condemned to die on the cross
III. Message
A. Who Watched Jesus be Crucified?
1. It was a very public execution
a. Zechariah prophesied “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced”
b. Who are the THEY?
c. A lot more people saw Jesus die than you may realise
2. A massive crowd of tens of thousands of Jewish pilgrims from all over the Middle eastern regions were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover together
3. The two thieves hanging on crosses next to Jesus saw him die - were probably the closest to Him physically – but they saw Jesus die in front of their eyes (Matthew 27:38) Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
4. Two of his disciples, namely Peter and John stood in the crowd and silently watched Jesus die – the rest of the disciples had fled and were hiding
5. A Roman centurion watched Jesus closely, and saw him die. It was his job to see them die. (Mark 15:37-39) And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
6. Mary the mother of Jesus was there, and watched him die, along with several other women
a. Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
b. John 19:26,27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
7. Simon of Cyrene, an African man, a Jewish proselyte who had carried Jesus's cross for Jesus to Golgotha, stood and watched Jesus die
8. The chief priests and the Pharisees circled constantly round the base of the cross getting up as close into Jesus’ face as possible, mocking Him the entire time – they saw Him die
a. Matthew 27:39-43 And they [PHARISEES] that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
9. The Jewish high priests (there were two of them at the time) stood and watched from a distance, and saw Him die.
10. The Roman soldiers who had nailed him on to the cross, and were gambling for Jesus's clothes, glanced up from time to time to watch Jesus die (Matthew 27:35,36) And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there.
11. Pilate, the man who made the final decision to condemn Jesus to death, probably watched Jesus die from a distance, from the top of his palace – we are not told
12. But two other men stood and watched Jesus die... and then made sure He was properly buried afterwards:
a. Joseph of Arimathaea
b. And a man whose name you already know, Nicodemus
c. John 19:38 ,39 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
B. What had all those people seen?
1. Something far worse than can be imagined!
2. An agonizing series of brutal abuses, at the hands of hardened Roman soldiers, meant to push Jesus to the very edge of death but not allow Him to die – not a swift death
3. Torn flesh, ripped from his body, time after time, whip lashing after whip lashing
4. Blood. They
saw lots of blood, pouring from the shreds of skin and muscles of His body.
An innocent Man was giving His life for the guilty – His blood for mine!
5. An innocent man remaining silent the entire time he was abused, Except for a few brief statements:
a. One to His disciple John and to His mother
b. One towards heaven “Father, forgive them”
c. One towards one of the thieves dying next to Him “Today you will be with Me in paradise!”
d. One declaring that He was thirsty
e. One time quoting Psalm 22:1, declaring that He was forsaken by God
f. One statement saying “Into thy hands [Father], I commend my spirit”
g. And His final statement, “It is finished!”
6. Darkness for three long hours (Matthew 27:45) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
7. And then they saw him “give up the ghost” which simply means he let go of his life, and died
C. But there was one final event that took place on that cross…
1. A soldier pierced deep into Jesus’ side, at the heart!
a. The soldier was sent to the limp body of Jesus of Nazareth as He hung lifeless on the cross to PIERCE his right side all the way into His heart, to see if He was faking His death, or if He was actually dead!
b. John 19:34-37 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
2. And that’s when they all mourned – no one celebrated
a. Luke 23:46-48 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
b. Jesus really was dead!
c. There was desperate sorrow at Christ’s death – no one rejoiced – all mourned
3. And so, Zachariah chapter 12 was fulfilled to the letter
a. “and they shall look upon ME whom they have pierced…”
b. They will wonder what they just saw for the rest of their lives!
c. Who did they just watch die? Zechariah says GOD died!
d. “… and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
e. Evidently an ONLY Son had died.
f. God’s only Son!
D. Why was it so important that so many people see Jesus die?
1. To prove He actually did die, and was not putting on an act, and really meant it when He said he had come to be the Lamb of God, and take away the sin of the world!
2. So many people could now verify Jesus really died, so that when He rose again from the dead, it would be a miracle, and prove that He is the only Saviour of the world!
3. More about that NEXT week!
4. Bye-the-way, It wasn't just people that was watching Jesus die…
5. God the Father watched as well (Isaiah 53)
a. Isaiah 53:4-7 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
b. Isaiah 53:10-13 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He [GOD] shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant [JESUS] justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
E. Since next Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, Let’s Celebrate the Last Supper of the Lord Jesus Christ, the week before we celebrate His resurrection! Because that was one of the requests Jesus made before He died! That we remember His death!
IV.The Memorial of Christ’s Death (Matthew 27:14-30)
A. The Betrayal by a Friend (Matthew 26:14-16)
1. Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
2. Judas was an Apostle – personally called by Jesus to follow Him and be like Him
3. Jesus had given Judas…
a. Power over devils, sickness – so that Judas could help people
b. Responsibility for the money bag, which was a collection for poor people
4. Jesus had loved Judas, just like He had loved everyone He had ever met – never forget that!
5. Yet, that same Judas was secretly meeting with the Pharisees, planning the capture and ruin of Jesus’ ministry to the people
B. Preparing for the Passover (Matthew 26:17-19)
1. Matthew 26:17-19 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
2. First day of an eight day national feast called “the feast of unleavened bread”
3. The Passover was held on the first day of that feast
4. Jesus and His disciples had no place the celebrate the Passover meal – they were all away from their homes in Galilee, visiting Jerusalem
5. So Jesus directs their steps…
a. Follow a man in the crowd carrying a water jug – easy to spot because usually only women carried water
b. When you come to his home, tell him that the Master needs to use his home
c. They actually discover there was a room upstairs that was completely prepared for all 13 of them! Nobody prepares their home for people they haven’t met yet!
d. Jesus never ceased to amaze them
C. The Passover Meal (Matthew 26:20,21a; Exodus 12:18-20)
1. Matthew 26:20,21 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
2. Very simple meal of five ingredients
a. Roasted Lamb meat
b. Unleavened bread
c. Unleavened wine
d. Some bitter herbs
e. And a Dish of vinegar sauce to dip the bread in
3. The one thing missing was leaven – no yeast in anything. Not in the wine, and not in the bread – not even allowed anywhere in the house!
4. It was just before the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of all His disciples – including Judas!
D. Revealing the Betrayer (Matthew 26:21-25)
1. Matthew 26:21-25 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
2. While everyone was celebrating the substitutionary death of the Passover lamb…
3. It was right THEN, that Jesus interrupts the Celebration
4. And He reveals that something terrible is about to happen to Him
a. He was going to be betrayed into the hands of His enemies
b. And, He would be tortured and killed
5. EVERY disciple was shocked by what Jesus revealed! And EVERY disciple was quick to examine the possibility that it could have been THEM (Mt 26:22)! We will come back to this in a few minutes
6. Judas, was surprised, and acts like he was innocent. Just acts like everyone else
a. The truth is… Judas was a FAKER, a fraud, a con, a thief, a swindler, a backstabber, a sham, a devil (John 6:70,71) Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
b. Judas was UNMOVED by the seriousness of what he was about to do
c. He was beyond help!
7. Jesus carefully exposes Judas as His betrayer
a. Jesus was revealing who was guilty of the coming murder of the Messiah
b. Revealing who was not worthy of being at that table
c. But all the while, not letting any of the disciples off the hook – Judas’ heart was in every other disciple!!!
8. This is why we take time to EXAMINE ourselves when we open the Bible
a. Ask yourself, Are you even a little like Judas?
b. 2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
c. Are you even Saved? Truly born again?
d. How about this question… Are you Carnal? Are you just like the world around you
e. Are you Apathetic about the Bible, about souls? Flippant about the things of God? Unmoved by the effect your sin has on you? Hardened and bitter towards anybody? Unable to forgive anyone?
f. Any of the above qualifies you for being Unworthy, and need to be confessed today
V. The Supper to Remember Christ By (Matthew 26:26-30)
A. A Time of Examination - Let the word of God, and Spirit of God speak instead of YOU always talking - let God show you where YOU are a mess, and then REPENT!
1. Are you living any kind of a lie? Calling yourself a Christian, but not honest? not saved yet? Don’t eat until you settle your own eternity!
2. Are you living in sin as a Christian? Rejecting what you know God has said, and holding on to something that you know is against God? Don’t eat unless you are willing to turn away from it
3. Are you serious about the Lord? Or, is He just a convenient Genie that you turn to for impossible situations? Become His servant!
4. Don’t feel like you have to put on a show here. If you can’t participate, you have my respect because you are being honest!
5. But every Christian ought to use this time as an opportunity to get their life cleaned up right here and now, and then start fresh for this week - walking with the only God and Saviour Jesus Christ
6. This Remembrance Supper is for REAL Christians ONLY! Not just religious spectators
a. It would be mockery if someone tried to remember an event that has no meaning to them
1) Like remembering the day you got married… when you never got married!
2) Like celebrating winning the soccer championship… when you lost!
b. This supper is for Christians who are serious about Jesus being the Lord in their life
1) Who is worthy?
2) All of us are unworthy of God’s kindnesses, yet He gives it.
3) But here, Jesus is exposing Christians who are “unfit”
a) Not failures – that is okay
b) But quitters who have decided to live for the world, and not for Christ
c. God wants ALL Christians to participate and celebrate - but not when they are not serious about their Christian life
d. When you treat Jesus Christ flippantly, without fear, (like you can take Him or leave Him) … you are acting just like those who CRUCIFIED Him!
1) Are you living a lie? Calling yourself a Christian, but not honest? not saved yet? Don’t eat until you settle your own eternity!
2) Are you living in sin as a Christian? Rejecting what you know God has said do or not do, and holding on to something that you know is against God? Don’t eat unless you are willing to turn away from it
3) Are you serious about Jesus being Lord of your life? Or, is He just a convenient Genie that you turn to for impossible situations?
4) When you treat Christ flippantly, or without fear, you are acting just like those who CRUCIFIED Him!
5) God wants the Christian to participate - but not when they are not serious about their Christian life
6) You reap what you sow - Gal 6:7
a) Brings sickness
b) Brings an early death (1Corinthians 11)
e. Don’t feel like you have to put on a show here. If you can’t participate, you have my respect because you are being honest!
f. But every Christian ought to use this time as an opportunity to get their life cleaned up right here and now, and then start fresh for this week - walking with God and His Son Jesus Christ
B. A Time of Celebration – this was not the END, but the way God would defeat our worst enemies… the power of sin over us, and the wrath of God against us – even death and hell!
1. Jesus did what 10,000 angels could not do!
2. Matthew 26:52-54 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
3. Jesus was preparing His disciples for the day when they would realise the cross was the greatest victory ever won!
C. Jesus Took the Bread (Matthew 26:26)
1. Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
2. What KIND of bread?
a. Passover Bread
b. Unleavened Bread – just plain, almost tasteless bread
3. Yet, He blesses it – makes it special, not magical
4. Then, He BREAKS it in front of them
5. And then gave it to every one of them in that room
6. Not one person understands what is going on!
7. Jesus asks them to experience the tastes, the texture of the bread, the plainness of the bread as he tells them that that bread is just like His body, which would be broken for them in less than 24 hours.
a. His own body was Sinless, like the bread is without yeast/leaven
b. Broken - torn
c. Shared, dying not for Himself but for others
d. It must be accepted as a gift by the people it is offered to!
8. So, Just as Jesus Christ took simple bread
a. And Broke the bread - The price of our sin - “broken” for sinners
b. And Gave thanks - thankful to be able to give
9. Let’s remember now His death this way! NOT to re-sacrifice him (Hebrews 10:11,12,14,26) - Don’t try and re-crucify Him! But to just remember what He did!
D. He then Took the Cup from off the Table (Matthew 26:27-28)
1. Matthew 26:27,28 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
2. This was a simple cup filled with UNLEAVENED wine
a. Nothing special about the wine – it was just fresh fruit juice from grapes – fermentation
b. Not a special chalice or goblet – just a clay cup
3. Jesus bowed His head / thanked God for what was about to happen to Him in a few hours
4. He thanked God that a substitution was about to be made, the innocent dying for the guilty – Spilling out His own blood for ours!
5. And then gave that cup to all of them
a. Jesus explains that a whole NEW Testament was starting tomorrow!
b. Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
c. The Old Testament was about to be done away with on the cross
d. And a new relationship with all mankind (Jew and Gentile) was about to begin! A relationship with God based only on our faith in Christ and not on our faith in ceremonies and sacrifices anymore
e. Explains that the New Testament is found IN His blood (Heb 10:16-20)
f. This cup only represents (pictures) His blood shed for sin.
g. This cup represents the New Testament! The bringing in of eternal life - salvation!
1) It is not real blood – just a picture!
2) God forbids drinking blood (Lev 17:10-12; Act 15:28,29)
h. Asks everyone to Drink the cup - the contents representing HIS PURE blood, that had no sin in it
6. And they all drank of that cup
7. Let’s remember the shedding of His blood for the whole world! Even for those like Judas who would not believe in it!
E. But Jesus then promises His Life wasn’t over! (Matthew 26:29)
1. Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
2. Even though Jesus was being betrayed at that very moment into the hands of the Pharisees…
3. And even though He would soon be cruelly mocked and beaten for hours by the Romans
4. And even though He would end up being crucified on a cross like a hardened criminal
5. Jesus promised that He would live again, and that they would all REALLY celebrate in the kingdom of God (Mark 14:25) Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
VI.Conclusion
A. If Jesus is who He claims to be, and actually died in your and my place, on purpose
B. Then He should be able to ask us to LIVE for Him, as living sacrifices, holy, clean, washed, forgiven, soft hearted, and yearning to serve Him – not forced!
C. You won’t get anywhere with God until you humble yourself and believe what these men and women saw when Jesus was crucified and pierced
D. If you would like to talk with me about being born again, talk to me today