By now -- many of you have been to see the movie -- The Passion of Christ. -- I have not yet seen it, but plan to do so tomorrow night.
From everything I have been reading -- God is using this film in a mighty way to help bring people to Himself.
I liked the interview I saw on the Today Show -- between Catie & Franklin Graham. -- True to form, Franklin Graham clearly told Catie -- “It was your sins, Catie, that put Jesus on that Cross.”
In fact -- my friends -- it was your sins -- my sins -- our sins -- that put JC on that Cross; -- let’s never forget it!
Romans 5:8 is to the Book of Romans -- what John 3:16 is to the Gospel of John! -- (Read Romans 5:1-8).
“Christ died for us.” -- Here is a simple sentence in four words!
The first two words state an historical act! -- “Christ died...”
Illus: When I was pastoring in Illinois -- a group of pastors were meeting to plan a community wide Good Friday Service. As we were checking with each pastor to determine who all would be taking part -- one of the pastors expressed his concern -- trying to make up his mind as to whither he felt comfortable in participating or not.
He began asking each pastor the question: “Do you believe in the bodily Resurrection of JC?”
I finally looked at him & said: “This is not an Easter Sunrise Service. This is a Good Friday Service; -- all of us here believe that Christ died!”
The final two words add theological significance! -- “... for us.”
For me -- for you -- for us. -- This gives purpose -- meaning -- reason.
The full four words together form the total core -- the focus-point of the Gospel; -- “Christ died for us.”
Never did four short words hold a bigger & better message.
Isaac Watts -- in his immortal hymn, “When I survey the wondrous Cross” -- could not have chosen a truer adjective than wondrous.
From every aspect our Lord’s death on Calvary is indeed “wondrous”!
It is a mysterious wonder that God the Son could die; - still more that He should die; - still more that He would die; -- & most of all, that He did die!
Oh the wonder of it all! -- think of it all again & again; -- Christ died for us!
While these four words should be underlined -- the word “for” should be circled!
In the original Gk. language -- the preposition translated “for” is colorful.
Even in English -- a dictionary will shed new light on that word “for”.
The preposition “FOR” -- has several meanings -- & I would like us to examine them together this morning: --
1. The Word “For” -- means “Because of us”!
The song writer asks the question: -- “Where you there when they crucified my Lord?” -- The only answer to that question is -- “YES!”
Because of your sins -- you were there! -- Because of my sins -- I was there! -- Because of our sins -- we were there!
In the garden of Gethsemane -- when Jesus looked into the “cup” -- He saw your sins & my sins -- as He was about to take our sins upon Himself.
Through our sins -- we added to the agony of His suffering.
Because of us; -- for us; -- Christ died! -- Christ died for our sake!
He who knew no sin -- became sin; -- because of us! -- for our sake!
Illus: Some years ago -- a young British soldier -- Alexander Russell -- was on his way to join his regiment in India when the ship on which he was sailing was torpedoed.
Within minutes the lifeboats were crowded to capacity.
On the one that Mr. Russell boarded was a young mother with her new-born infant. -- Anxiously looking for her husband -- the mother suddenly spied her husband struggling helplessly in the water.
Becoming hysterical -- she cried out for someone to save him.
Exhibiting great courage - Alexander Russell dove overboard - rescued the drowning man -- & placed him in the boat.
But not a one of the frail life boats -- bobbing on the waves -- could possibly bear the weight of another man; -- so with strong vigorous strokes -- Alexander Russell swam away to his death.
Through his heroic act -- Russell died for a fine young husband & father
We admire such an act of selfless courage.
How noble it was of him to save a fine young husband & father.
But if the young man whose life was saved had been a drunkard -- a gangster -- a murderer -- then we would say: -- “What a waste.”
And yet JC died for the very people who mocked Him & nailed Him to the Cross! -- You & I helped to nail Him on that Cross!
While we were yet sinners -- enemies & rebels -- Christ died for us -- “because of us; -- for our sake “
Christ died “because of” our sins! -- Because of His great love for us -- He paid redemption’s price that you & I might be free from sin!
2. The Word “For” -- means “In behalf of us”!
Jesus did something on our behalf -- which we could never have done for ourselves!
JC is our self-sacrificing Representative! -- He died in behalf of us!
Have you ever spoken in behalf of someone? -- Or had someone speak on your behalf?
Illus: -- When I was pastoring a church during my college years -- a teenage lad in our church, along with a friend of his -- stole a car & went on a joy ride. -- They were caught & hauled off to court.
I went to court with Danny -- & spoke to the judge in his behalf!
Christ did something on our behalf which we could never have done for ourselves. -- He not only spoke in our behalf; -- He died in our behalf!
Christ made an appeasing offering to the infinitely good & holy God -- against whom the sin of mankind is an outrage!
We stand condemned before God -- but Christ intervened in our behalf
Illus: -- During the 17th century -- Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England -- sentenced a young soldier to be shot for his crimes.
The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell
However -- the bell did not sound that evening at its appointed time.
The soldier’s fiancée had climbed into the belfry -- & had clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking.
When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions -- she wept -- as she showed him her bruised & bleeding hands.
Cromwell’s heart was touched by her devotion - & he said to her, “Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice. -- Curfew shall not ring tonight.”
Like that condemned man -- we are all under a sentence of death!
But JC loved us so much that He intervened in our behalf!
He has saved us at great personal cost to Himself!
He has shown His bruised, nail-pierced hands to His Heavenly Father.
They are ample proof of His sacrifice in our behalf.
His sacrifice means that the curfew of eternal death will never toll for those who put their trust in JC.
My dear friend -- have you accepted the sacrifice of God’s Son on the Cross -- on behalf of your sins?
It is not enough just to know about it!
You must say from your heart -- “He died for me!” -- on my behalf!
3. The Word “For” -- means “Instead of us”!
The Son of God was crucified in my place!
I should have been crucified! -- He died in my very stead!
The stripes which should have fallen on me -- fell on Him!
All the punishment due to me -- He bore in my place!
Christ was not only our Representative; -- He was our Substitute!
He died in our very stead! -- So fully did He become our Substitute -- that He somehow bore both our punishment & our guilt!
Illus: -- Some years ago a rebellion occurred in the West African republic of Congo. -- A fascinating story is told about the time rebels came into a small village -- & the rebel leader shouted out for all the villagers to hear: -- “Someone in this village must die!”
The villagers - standing in the clearing in front of their houses - cringed.
They had gone through so much terror in this senseless rebellion -- & now this! -- Would there be no end to the killing & looting by the rebels?
The rebel soldier continued: "When we go into a new village - we always kill somebody to show that we mean business -- & to insure that we are in absolute control.’ --The rebel commander surveyed the group of villagers.
Suddenly his eyes stopped as he spotted two young men standing to one side of the crowd.
"One of you men will die’ -- he snapped. -- "Which one will it be?’
All eyes were focused on the two brothers. -- The thought that one of their leaders must die sickened the villagers.
Some of the women began to cry -- but no one dared to speak.
The silence was broken when old man, Lazaro, approached the rebel commander. -- "Please, sir, don’t kill either of these young men’ pleaded the old man. -- "They have families who need them desperately. -- Don’t kill them; -- they are my sons!’
Unmoved by sentiment -- the rebel leader yelled, “Someone in this village has to die. - I don’t want to hear your pleading. - Go away from me’
As the commander pushed Lazaro away -- the old man cried out, “Wait! -- You said someone must die. -- All right, shoot me! -- If someone must die - let it be me; -- I am old & I have lived my life. -- I am a Christian & I know that when I die -- I shall go to heaven to a life far better than any-thing here on earth.’
The rebel commander narrowed his eyes & looked in disbelief at the old man. -- "All right, if you are willing to die -- we choose you for execution.’
The commander motioned for two of his men to take Lazaro & put him into the wagon, saying -- "We will execute him later.’
Lazaro’s two sons ran to embrace their father. -- There were tears & sobs. -- The two brothers were overcome; -- they realized, now more than ever before -- how much their father loved them. -- He had offered himself as a human sacrifice so that they might live!
The father said comfortingly -- "Don’t worry about me; -- I know what I’m doing. -- I will see you in heaven someday!’
There was no time to say anything else; -- the rebels threw Lazaro into the back of the wagon, -- & they left the village with the old man.
The old man Lazaro -- was prepared to die -- “instead of” his sons!
You & I stand condemned to death because of our sins! - But the sinless Lord Jesus voluntarily suffered death to pay the penalty -- in our stead.
He died so we could go free; -- He died so we could live eternally!
He died in our very place! -- Christ died “instead of” us!
Now in the words of Paul Harvey -- may I tell you “the rest of the story.”
After the rebel forces had driven a few miles from the village -- they stopped -- & Lazaro was taken to a clearing. -- Dead bodies lay all around on the ground; -- men taken from other villages & shot!
The riflemen were loading their weapons! -- Just then a line of men & boys were led into the clearing -- lined up to be killed.
"Wait a minute!’ -- the rebel commander shouted to the firing squad.
Glancing over at Lazaro, he said: -- "This old man is a Christian. -- He even offered to die in the place of one of his sons. -- He must be some kind of preacher. -- Let him preach to this gang before we shoot them; -- it just might be interesting.’
Lazaro looked at the commander with disgust! -- How could a man be so cruel as to laugh at the death of others -- & even joke about preaching?
But Lazaro knew that this was a God-given opportunity to preach the gospel to those who were about to die.
He turned to the frightened line of men who were about to face death.
"Listen, you men -- I have no sermon. -- Many of you know the way of salvation. -- Even if you have not believed on the Lord JC -- it is not too late. -- Remember that the thief on the cross believed on Jesus & was saved in the last few minutes of his life! -- The Bible says, Believe on the Lord JC -- & you shall be saved. -- Ask Him to forgive your sins & believe in Him with all your heart! -- Jesus said, He that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. -- Jesus is our only Hope!’
Lazaro noticed some of the men bowing their heads in prayer & sobbing
As the men stood praying -- there was the crack of rifles -- the men dropped to the grass -- all, dead!
For some reason -- the rebels spared Lazaro from execution that day.
Two more lines of men were brought into the clearing for execution -- & each time Lazaro was commanded to preach to the men before they were mercilessly shot down.
Night came & Lazaro was pushed into a mud hut to sleep -- but the horror of the senseless killings filled his thoughts.
The next day followed the same pattern: -- men brought to be shot w/o trial; -- Lazaro pushed forward to preach; -- the crack of rifles; -- another pile of dead to be carried away.
Every day Lazaro presumed he would be executed. -- After all, he had volunteered to be shot! -- Yet somehow he was spared.
It all ended suddenly; -- one day word came that the Congo Army was on its way; -- & immediately the rebels scrambled into their trucks & fled -- leaving Lazaro alone in the clearing. -- He was free!
Lazaro & his sons & their families all live in peace -- they work together -- & play together -- & worship God together -- thankful that the horrible rebellion has ended.
Before the rebellion -- the Sunday sermon was just so many words.
Today they know the truth of the Bible as a living faith!
And you & I can as well -- knowing that Christ died for us! -- Because of us; -- In behalf of us; -- Instead of us!
Conclusion: -- Oh, the wonder of it all! -- “Christ died for us!”
“He was numbered with the transgressors;” -- “God reckoned Him to be sin who knew no sin.”
But look again at that word 'died’.
Christ was not merely put to death. -- He died!
It was voluntarily & deliberately! -- He yielded Himself up for us!
His death was not merely an execution -- inflicted upon Him!
His death was not a savage injustice which just happened.
Christ purposely underwent the crucifixion -- & He died for us!
Christ became a curse for us to remove the curse from us!
Believing Christ died -- that’s history!
Believing Christ died for me -- that’s salvation!
To show His love -- Jesus died for me! --
To show my love -- I must live for Him!
Because He died for us -- we need to live for Him!