THE SAVIOR I SEE ON CALVARY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Luke 23:33

 

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

 

1.      This is the only passage in the Bible that uses the term “Calvary.”

2.     Here, we see the Savior, Jesus Christ, lifted up between two thieves as if He were also a criminal.

 

B.    However, when I look upon this crucified Savior, I don’t see a criminal.  Let me describe to you “The Savior I See on Calvary.”

 

I.            I SEE A TIRED SAVIOR

 

A.   Jesus had retreated to Gethsemane that Thursday evening after having eaten the Passover Supper with His disciples.

1.      This was a place designed for rest.

2.     It was a place of prayer and meditation.

3.      This evening, however, would be far from peaceful.

a.     First, Jesus prayed an agonizing prayer to His Father in heaven.

1)      Matthew 26:38-39

 

Then he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:  tarry ye here, and watch with me.  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, le this cup pass from me:  nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 

2)      Hebrews 5:7

 

When in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.

 

b.     Second, any peace Jesus sustained in His prayer was dissolved by the approach of a mob led by Judas (Matt. 26:47).

 

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

 

B.    All night long, Jesus was led from trial to trial in an attempt to find Him guilty of some crime.

 

C.    After a severe beating by the Roman guards, He carried his cross toward the hill of Golgotha (John 19:17).  Jesus, however, was too weak to make the entire trail.  One name Simon was compelled to carry His cross to the place of execution (Luke 23:26).

 

 

 

 

II.          I SEE A LONELY SAVIOR

 

A.   When Jesus was arrested, the Bible reveals then all the disciples forsook him, and fled (Matt. 26:56).

 

B.    Matthew 26:58 tells us that Peter followed him afar off, but he soon denied Him three times (Matt. 26:69-75).

 

C.    During His trials there were no witnesses who stood on behalf of Jesus.

 

D.   At Calvary, many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Gali-lee, ministering unto him (Matt. 27:56).

 

E.    Only one apostle made it to the foot of the cross, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 19:26-27).

 

F.     There was even a point in time when the Father in heaven turned His eyes from his precious Son (Mark 15:34).

 

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?  Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

III.        I SEE A SUFFERING SAVIOR

 

A.   To suffer means to experience sensations, especially those which are painful.

 

B.    In the gospel narratives, Jesus’ suffering is not highlighted.

1.      The text merely states what was done to Jesus.

a.     Pilate had Him scourged (John 19:1).

b.     The soldiers plaited a crown of thorns on His head (John 19:2).

c.     The soldiers beat Him with a reed (Matt. 27:30).

d.     They crucified Him (Mark 15:25).

2.     His agony is summarized with two words:  I thirst (John 19:28).

 

C.    Other texts reveal the fact that Jesus suffered for us.

1.      Luke 24:46

 

And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.

 

2.     I Peter 3:18

 

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

 

3.      Hebrews 2:9

 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

 

 

 

IV.        I SEE A CARING SAVIOR

 

A.   As Jesus looked down from the cross, He saw His precious mother, Mary.

1.      She gave birth to Him.

2.     She nurtured Him.

3.      She reared Him.

4.     She trained Him.

5.     She always believed in Him.

6.     She was always by His side.

 

B.    In those dark hours, Jesus showed His care for her by entrusting her into the care of the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 19:25-27).

 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

 

V.          I SEE A FORGIVING SAVIOR

 

A.   The shedding of Jesus’ blood and His death on Calvary would enable all men to be forgiven of their sins.

1.      Hebrews 9:22b

 

…and without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

2.     Ephesians 1:7

 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

B.    We also see a Savior with a willingness to forgive as He hung upon the cross.  One of the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross was for the forgiveness of His tormentors (Luke 23:34a).

 

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

 

VI.        I SEE AN OBEDIENT SAVIOR

 

A.   All Jesus did upon the cross was in obedience to His heavenly Father.

 

B.    His prayer in Gethsemane was for the Father’s will to be done (Luke 22:41-42).

 

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:  nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.

 

C.    Several New Testament passages reveal the obedience of Jesus in His death on Calvary.

1.      Philippians 2:8

 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross.

 

2.     Hebrews 5:8

 

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

 

D.   This obedience is difficult to comprehend because it cost Jesus His life.

1.      It was rooted deeply in His love for His heavenly Father.

2.     It also sprang from His sincere love for all humanity.

 

VII.       I SEE A VICTORIOUS SAVIOR

 

A.   The bloody, blasphemed Jesus looks defeated as He draws His last breaths, and, says:  “It is finished.”

 

B.    But, to bless, he had to be cursed.

        To forgive, he had to suffer for the sins of the world.

        To bring life, He had to die.

        To defeat Satan, He had to appear defeated.

 

C.    But, He would not be defeated (Heb. 2:14-15).

 

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject unto bondage.

 

D.   Not only was Jesus victorious, but He also enabled men to become victorious as well.

1.      I Corinthians 15:57

 

But thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2.     II Corinthians 2:14a

 

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The picture of our Savior on the cross has many perspectives, but a criminal He was not.

 

B.    Each one of us should be thankful that He was willing to be tired, to be lonely, and to suffer.  It was because He was caring and forgiving that He did it.  Now, through His obedient act, we can be forgiven of our sins.

 

C.    II Corinthians 9:15

 

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.