March 31, 2024
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 53:3-6; Matthew 27:1-44
The cross is more than just a symbol; it is the turning point of all history.
Adrian Rogers says, “The preaching of the cross is, to those who perish, foolishness, but unto those of us who are saved, it is the power of God.”
Who crucified Jesus? It was not the Jews alone or the Romans who are responsible for His death. He died at the hands of Man and for the sins of all mankind.
Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
There are seven specific attitudes that crucified Jesus, as shown in Matthew 27.
It was the religious crowd that came together to accuse Jesus and condemn Him to death. The people had their rituals, but did not have true righteousness. They had their own culture, but did not have what mattered, which was Jesus Christ.
Judas was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and closest friends, and He betrayed Jesus for pieces of silver.
Pontius Pilate, a fence-straddling politician, was afraid to upset the crowd. So he passed the decision off to someone else.
Matthew 27:20 shows us that the crowd followed the lead of the religious authorities. In the name of conformity, they became complicit in His death.
Verse 27 details the horrific beating Jesus was given by the Roman soldiers before his crucifixion.
They did nothing to stop it (see Matthew 27:36). They looked at Jesus as a spectacle, and not unto Him as a Savior.
Matthew 27:39 talks about those who mocked Him while He suffered on the cross. Our world is full of skeptics who will misquote His words, mock His deity, and minimize His death.
These are the attitudes that nailed Jesus to the cross. In spite of all this, Jesus Christ died for us. The cross was justice at its surest, love at its greatest, and grace at its fullest.
Examine your heart today—is there any self-righteousness, hypocrisy, or compromise? Any conformity, cruelty, indifference, or skepticism to get rid of?
