THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

Matthew 27:32-44 / Keywords 27:42

"He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

 

1. This is Jesus, the king of the Jews (32-40)

Simon was forced to carry the cross. Jesus was too weak after a night of beatings and torture. When they reached Golgotha, Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall to dull his pain, but he refused. He would take upon himself the full punishment for our sins. Those who had crucified him gambled for his clothes. A sign that read, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS,” was placed above his head to mock him, but ironically, it declared the truth. Jesus, the king of the Jews, was crucified to save us from our sins. Jesus was crucified with robbers to shame him, but this fulfilled Scripture (Isa. 53:12).

 

2. He did not save himself to save others (41-44)

The religious officials mocked him saying that while he saved others, he could not save himself. Jesus served and saved many people during his earthly ministry. But on the cross, Jesus would save countless more by not saving himself. Anyone who believes in him can be saved from sin and death. Jesus trusted his Father’s plan to save sinners.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for Jesus who did not save himself in order to save me.

One Word Jesus was crucified for our sins