Lent 2000

Lent 2000 - Beneath The Cross of Jesus

Kenyon P. Kalvesmaki, Pastor

Central Presbyterian Church, Russellville, Arkansas

March 19, 2000

1- THE DRAWING POWER OF THE CROSS

John 12:32

Why talk about the cross? I must! The cross is the symbol for all my life and preaching and teaching. I owe this to you. On Ash Wednesday, I gave a rather sad report of one pastor's unscientific survey. He talked with 100 men and women, who were members of different churches in his city. He asked only one question of them. "Would it make any difference in your life if Jesus had not died on the cross?" 45 said it would no difference. Another 25 said it probably makes a difference, but they could not tell him why. And 10 said that they did not know the message of Christ and His cross. Now, all these people were church members. So, I want to do my job. I want it said of me that he "did talk about the cross of Jesus Christ!" Only God the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of the cross of Christ.

On these days leading to Easter, I want us to stand Beneath the Cross of Jesus. For you believers this will be refreshing. For those you know who might be confused, Ask God to clarify His truth. And, for you who want to KNOW THE MESSAGE...ask the Lord to show His love to you today! Today we consider THE DRAWING POWER OF THE CROSS!

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We approach Easter with the cross of Christ in view. We see a paradox - the cross is ugly, but beauty came from it. Here marks death for One, but life for all who believe on the One who died on it. Jesus died between two thieves, naked, beaten and bloodied by skilled torturers. Yet, even to this day He attracts men and women - just like iron filings to a magnet. "AND I, IF I BE LIFTED UP, WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME."

We do not like to be confronted with the tragedy of the cross. We like to be winners, not losers. We want triumph not tragedy! But the cross represents the supreme way God wants to be united with His creatures - you and me! No ordinary citizen died there. He said. IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE SEEN THE FATHER; and, BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM.

We sing of the cross: WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS, ON WHICH THE PRINCE OF GLORY DIED; MY RICHEST GAIN I COUNT BUT LOSS, AND POUR CONTEMPT ON ALL MY PRIDE.

Other religions of the world want to enter into theological discussions with us. But they ignore or belittle the cross of Christ. For they cannot see what difference that piece of wood made in world history. Or, worse, they DO see the difference and are angry and frightened by the power that cross has to change our world. They want us to talk about the humanity of Jesus, the good things we do in His name, but they shrink back from the truth. They do not want to consider the claims of Christ for their eternal life.How shall we explain the drawing power of the cross of Christ?

THE CROSS APPEALS TO OUR UNDERSTANDING! We meet Jesus just after His Palm Sunday parade. He entered Jerusalem fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah, (riding a donkey). The city buzzed with high hopes and dreams of a new nation...free from all oppressors. Greeks were in Jerusalem, too. Gentiles like you and me. They were famous for seeking more wisdom. You know, get another degree, tack it on the wall. "We wish to see Jesus."

Jesus heard they wanted to see Him. "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." He could have held lengthy seminars. He might have explored all the intricacies of Plato. Instead, THE TIME ARRIVED FOR HIM TO DO SOMETHING! He was lifted up so that both Jew and Gentile could see God taking action for each one of them. I recall an interview Billy Graham had with pastors of house churches in China. He wanted to know what impressed them most about Jesus. One spoke for the rest: "He washed the feet of His disciples."

Jesus acted! He did not just talk about life with Him. He showed us what His own Father was like - God so loved the world, that He gave... Dancers and painters grasp this quickly. One dancer was asked to explain a move that she during one performance. "Do you think I would have danced it, if I could have said it?" Here before us stands the cross: WE KNOW that God DID SOMETHING FOR US! No matter our education, the cross draws us to Him. ... IF I BE LIFTED UP, WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME!

THE CROSS APPEALS TO OUR EMOTIONS! Suffering stirs our Pity. Have you been away from the awful scenes for too long? The whip used by the Romans had skillfully opened his flesh - bone and muscle exposed to the cloak they made Him wear. When they yanked it from Him more bleeding and pain came. The crown of thorns crushed into his head. The cross nearly toppled Him to the ground. Along the way and at the cross, people mocked Him and laughed at Him. "Let Him die!" we cry out, as we see Him upon that awful tree.

Injustice stirs our Indignation. If we received a trial like the one Jesus had, you can be sure a lawsuit would be coming. No crime had been committed, yet Jesus was found guilty and condemned to die. Look at the cross and see the worst case of injustice ever done! We get calloused to the story. We forget that He took our place...

Obedience stirs our Gratitude. BUT FOR THIS PURPOSE, I CAME TO THIS HOUR. FATHER, GLORIFY THY NAME. (12.27,28) He went were we should find ourselves. He went to the cross and forgave us from that awful place. He welcomed into paradise one of the sinners who died with Him. What can we do but thank Him for His obedience!

We cannot take our eyes from the cross of Jesus Christ. We can talk of His miracles and His teachings, or by the character of His personality. But it will always be the cross that has the drawing power to make us consider His life for ours! His cross grips us and holds us. For if we are looking for God we see His love for us suffering there ...

THE CROSS APPEALS TO OUR DIGNITY AS HUMANS. Governments soon learn that they cannot rule their people by force. Eventually, the human spirit will say, "Enough!" The Soviet Union tried to rule that way. Followers of Jesus Christ would not be stopped. You cannot grow flowers with a sledge hammer. So, you cannot force a person to become a believer in Jesus Christ. Imagine a God who forces us to love Him...threatens us, if we refuse to obey His Son. God appeals to us from a cross and wins men and women to His kingdom of love. Two men had an argument that escalated into angry words. The older man realized his mistake and asked forgiveness. The other younger man laughed. So, the older man said, "Then, I'll have to kill you."

With that they parted. Every time the two met, the older man showed him a kindness that was genuine. The family of the younger man had an emergency and the older man was there with the money to help. Each step along the way that they met, kindness was offered. Finally, the younger man could take it no longer. "All right. You win. You killed the man that I was. Now, how can I help you?" Our Lord welcomes all who need His love and hope!

THE CROSS APPEALS TO OUR MORAL SENSE. Return to Jesus on that Palm Sunday. Greeks wanted to see Jesus. But He only declared His hour had come. God spoke, and many thought it was thunder. It was the shout of victory from God - THE RULER OF THIS WORLD SHALL BE CAST OUT...IF I BE LIFTED UP WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME! The big loser on Good Friday was Satan. No longer would he have control over the destinies of humanity. Now, there was a clear choice...Live by fear and hatred...or live by the love of God? That was the plan of God from the very beginning of His world.

Consider one person who lived that day, because Jesus died. Barabbas. He was ready to die with curses on his lips. Pilate thought that the crowed would not crucify an innocent man like Jesus. Barabbas had killed people in his failure to overthrow Rome. The crowd cried out to release, BARABBAS! If anyone deserved to die that day, it was he. But he was set free. Legend has it that Barabbas wandered the rest of his life, wondering who this Man was who took his place. But when we see Him who died for us...WE CAN NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!

There is the drawing power of the cross of Christ. God loves us enough to ACT in a way we can UNDERSTAND...in a way that STIRS OUR DEEPEST EMOTIONS...AND WE CAN NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.

God did this for me...He loved me enough to die for me.

And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood?/

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love, how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amen.