The Cross of Christ

Jesus is put on trial, sentenced to death, crucified, and buried, taking upon himself the sins of the entire world!

I. EVENTS PRECEDING THE CRUCIFIXION (15:1–21)

A. The conspiracy (15:1): The Sanhedrin binds Jesus and brings him before Pilate to be crucified.

B. The confusion (15:2)

1. Pilate (15:2a): “Are you the King of the Jews?”

2. Jesus (15:2b): “It is as you say.”

C. The charges (15:3–5)

1. The slander against Jesus (15:3–4): The Pharisees accuse him of many crimes.

2. The silence of Jesus (15:5): He makes no reply!

D. The custom (15:6): It is Pilate’s custom to release one Jewish prisoner each year at Passover.

E. The choice (15:7–14)

1. The crowd demands the deliverance of Barabbas the murderer (15:7–11).

2. The crowd demands the death of Jesus the Messiah (15:12–14).

F. The chastening (15:15): Pilate now orders Jesus flogged.

G. The contempt (15:16–20): Jesus is handed over to the Roman soldiers.

1. He is mocked (15:16–18): “Hail, King of the Jews!”

2. He is mistreated (15:19–20): They spit on him and strike him!

H. The crossbearer (15:21): Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service by the Romans to carry Jesus’ cross.

II. EVENTS DURING THE CRUCIFIXION (15:22–37)

A. The cup for the cross (15:22–23): Jesus refuses the cup of wine drugged with bitter herbs offered him.

B. The clothing below the cross (15:24–25)

1. What is done (15:24): The soldiers throw dice for his clothes.

2. When it is done (15:25): He is crucified at 9 A.M.

C. The citation on the cross (15:26): The sign reads, “The King of the Jews.”

D. The criminals alongside the cross (15:27–28): Jesus is crucified between two robbers.

E. The contempt toward the cross (15:29–32)

1. Where it comes from (15:29a, 31, 32b)

a. Those passing by (15:29a)

b. The Jewish religious leaders (15:31)

c. The two robbers (15:32b)

2. What it consists of (15:29b–30, 32a)

a. “You can destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, can you? Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” (15:29b–30).

b. “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” (15:32a).

F. The cloud covering the cross (15:33): Darkness covers the cross from noon till 3 P.M.

G. The cry from the cross (15:34): Jesus shouts, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

H. The confusion around the cross (15:35–36): Some people who hear his cry think Jesus is calling for Elijah to help him.

I. The consummation of the cross (15:37): At 3 P.M. Jesus dies.

III. EVENTS FOLLOWING THE CRUCIFIXION (15:38–47)

A. Regarding the tearing of the veil (15:38): The Temple curtain is torn in two from top to bottom.

B. Regarding the tribute by the centurion (15:39): As he watches Jesus die, the Roman officer in charge cries out, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”

C. Regarding the testimony of the women (15:40–41): A number of faithful women are at the cross when Jesus dies.

D. Regarding the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea (15:42–47)

1. The mission of Joseph (15:42–45): He requests and receives from Pilate the lifeless body of Jesus.

2. The ministry of Joseph (15:46–47): He wraps the body of Jesus in a linen cloth and places it in his own personal tomb.