The Sequence of the Sacrifice

The Premise of this message is that we all are some where in the sequence of the Sacrifice.

This is an old message and have preached it a few Resurrection Sundays over the past twelve years... have not in the past five.

Felt it this week as the message to deliver on tomorrow.

The Sequence of the Sacrifice

Where do you begin to describe the great price paid for the souls of men? In considering the major points that I gleaned, all men are some where in this sequence. Some go from one step to the other, others never make it out of some of these.

The Garden

The place where our will must surrender to his will. Though Christ was fully God, in that he was fully man, the man had to submit to God. Even as God’s purposes work in our lives, there is a place and time where we surrender everything no matter the price into his hands.

The disappointment

This is the place where the disciples failed to pray and from it they entered into temptation and suffered a level of difficulty that would have been alleviated. It’s one thing to go through difficulties, it’s quite another to be able to go through them knowing how they will end up. When we fail to pray, we disappoint our Lord and we set ourselves up for unnecessary struggle.

The Betrayal

It could be said that Christ’s most trusted disciple betrayed him. The man that carried the Bag, never fully grasped the treasure of truth, and sold it for a few pieces of silver. Beware when the treasure placed in your hand starts talking to you. It will eventually cause you to sell that which you never bought, and you will pay a price you cannot afford.

The Denial

Peter, his most vocal supporter denied him when the pressure was on. The Rock seemed to crumble; the keys seemed to have been misplaced as this fearful, faltering soul struggled with his faith in his revelation. We have all found ourselves when people begin to ask us of our faith. We can see that what we have placed our faith in seems to be about to die. Hold fast your profession of faith.

The Judgment

Pilate came face to face with a power greater than his. He pandered his power into the hands of the fickle crowd. He did not want to be responsible for his lack of integrity, so he made a show of washing, but in the end, you can not wash away your responsibility in the process. When he was faced with a choice between being a friend of Caesar or a friend to Jesus, he let the crowd have their desire.

The Rejection
It was stated, here is the King of the Jews, and they said, “We have no King but Caesar.” They rejected his lordship in favor of a conqueror that had not desire to see them prosper.

The substitute

Given the choice on that fateful day, Barabas or Jesus, they chose Barabas. A thief or a restorer, a troublemaker or a storm calmer, darkness or light, with one voice they let their desire be known revealing the state of their souls. “Give us Barabas!”

The Sentence

What do you do when you reject your savior? Do you just send him away? We do as they did that Day we crucify him. With one voice I can hear the cry of crowd as they chanted, “CRUCIFY<> CRUCIFY > CRUCIFY :>!”

The beating

Fists bared, teeth clinched, they smote him. The spit on him, they mocked him, they then took the cruel tool of scouring and beat him a cross his back until blood flowed from his back like rivers overflowing their banks. So many today are adding to the burden bore that fateful day by their careless living and callous hearts.

The Purple Robe and the Crown of Thorns

In a mockery of his Title, they wrapped him in Kingly Robes and drove into his scalp a thorny crown. In trying to prove a point, they proved a much greater point. You can dress Jesus up as a King on Easter to soothe your conscience, but how are you treating him the rest of the time is the real story.

The Helper

Imagine how the man felt when he went from spectator to participator. From watching the spectacle, to carrying a bloody cross and looking into the man that they had beat to near death. It says that he was the Father of Rufus and Alexander. The commentary I read on this says it is likely they are the same ones mentioned in Scripture. Imagine how impacting it was for that Father to look into the eyes of THAT MAN on THAT DAY and feel that crimson blood on your flesh. Jesus still needs someone to help him carry that cross.

The Sedative

Given the Choice, take some wine mixed with Gall to dim the pain, or squeeze every once of virtue of the violence to gain the maximum benefit. Christ did not need or want a sedative drug.

The Thieves

We see a contrast of how people respond to Christ in their time of Great need and struggle. Some curse him and mock him; others cry out, “Remember me!”

The Death

As the sins of the entire world were placed upon the frame of this single man, I cannot imagine it’s weight and evil darkness involved. All my sins, for all my life would be a heavy burden. Imagine how heavy all the sins of the whole world, past present and future put on one man. To experience this heavy load in the waning moments of his life as his blood was pumped out of his body. In his final breath his voice echoed across time looking at Adam all the way till the end and he cries, “Father Forgive them for they know now what they do.” I wonder how many of us could see the virtue in praying this over those that torment us. Imagine the virtue that would be imparted if we could see that our enemies and our detractors are working in our lives to perfect the process of his Grace.

The Spear

For some it is not enough for Christ to die. It is not enough for them to torment, persecute and eventually crucify, but they must drive one last point to finalize the rejection. In that moment, Blood and water flowed. It is at that final point that the spear can become an explanation point that brings Revelation, “Truly this was the Son of God.” They look upon him whom they pierced and believe.

The Burial

I find it interesting that Nicodemous that came to Jesus by night was with those that took his body off the Cross and buried it. Nicodemous who was told he must be born again would be involved in the DEATH of Christ. Buried with him in Baptism. I wonder if Ole Nick ever got born again?

The Resurrection.

I am thankful he died for my sins. I am even more thankful that he could not be held by Death, Hell or the Grave. If he tasted death once, I never have to taste the full flavor of death. Like Coffee without caffeine. We may all die, but we don’t have to be afraid of its power over us

Oh Death, Eat my Dust.

The Ascension.

To live is Christ, but to die is Gain. We may die, but nevertheless we live.

The promise

When I was born again, I received the seed of Resurrection in my life. That same spirit that raised Christ from the Dead shall quicken my mortal body and I shall be changed. Until the Trumpet sound, I have resurrection power in my bosom. I have the power to be a Holy Witness of his Death, Burial and RESURECTION!

This day I have walked with God and have felt the first fruits of a restored relationship that God intended for Adam. In the Cool of the Day I heard his voice and I know that no matter what comes my way, I am locked and loaded ready for what ever may come. His grace is sufficient for me.

I pray that we all can find ourselves in that place of promise today.