THE TREE OF CALVARY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   One of the main elements of Christianity involves the fact that Jesus was crucified on the cross of Calvary.

1.    The cross was the instrument upon which Jesus was sacrificed for the sins of the world.

2.    The word “cross” is never found in the Old Testament.

3.    However, it is found twenty-eight times in the New Testament.

a.    Six times it refers to the cross the disciples of Jesus are to bear (Matt. 10:28; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23; 14:27).

b.    Twenty-two times it refers to the cross that Jesus endured.

 

B.   Five times the cross is referred to as a “tree” (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:24).

 

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

 

C.   In this lesson, we want to discuss “The Tree of Calvary.”

 

 

I.             THE “EXCELLENCE” OF THE EMPIRE OF ROME

 

A.   Crucifixion was practiced by other countries long before the Romans employed its use.

 

B.   Rome, however, is said to have perfected this means of execution.

1.    Physically:  It was developed into a severe torture device which began with the flogging and ended in death upon the cross.

2.    Socially:  It was designed to keep the masses in subjection to the Empire (Ex., several times family members or passers-by would be taken and crucified beside the criminal).

3.    Politically:  It reminded the world of who was the dominate power in the world (Ex., 6,000 slaves were crucified along the Appian Way after the defeat of Spartacus and his gladiators).

 

II.           THE CURSE OF A CRIMINAL

 

A.   Galatians 3:13

 

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:  for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

 

B.   Jesus was an innocent man, but many charges were brought up against Him.

1.    Claimed to be a king (John 18:37)

2.    Claimed to be the Son of God (Luke 22:70-71)

3.    Broke the Sabbath (Luke 6:7)

4.    Violated the traditions of the elders (Mark 7:3)

5.    Threatened to destroy the temple (Matt.26:61)

6.    Cast out demons by Beelzebub (Matt. 9:34)

 

III.         THE TROUBLE OF A TRAVELER

 

A.   After being condemned, Jesus was given His cross to carry to Golgotha (John 19:16-17).

 

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.  And they took Jesus, and led him away.  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.

 

B.   Mark and Luke, however, note that on the way to the place of execution another was called upon to bear the cross for Jesus (Mark 15:21; Luke 23:36).

 

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

 

1.    Various statements are made as to why this transpired.

a.    Jesus was so weak after the flogging that He received from the Romans.

b.    Jesus stumbled on the road while carrying the cross so Simon was used to assist Jesus.

2.    Remember, the Romans used to cross for many purposes.  One of those was to control the people of the nation.  Innocent by-standers were often selected to be part of the process.  Simon may have feared for his own life that day.

3.    There is a sermon that can be taught from this situation.  Here are two points of several that could be made.

a.    Simon may have literally touched the blood of Jesus, but that did not cleanse him of his sins.

b.    After that day, Simon had a story to tell.

 

IV.         THE SOURCE OF SUFFERING

 

A.   The cross was intended to be a source of severe suffering.

1.    The nails driven into the flesh

2.    The rubbing of open wounds on the back as a person sought to breathe

3.    The weight on the nails of the hands and feet.

4.    The body reacting to the loss of blood and other body fluids

5.    The spasms of the muscles

6.    The dry mouth and thirst

7.    The shaking and quivering of the body exposed to the elements

 

B.   The suffering of the cross has been described by the word “excruciating.”  The literal meaning of the term is “of the cross.”

 

C.   The use of the word “suffer” in connection with Jesus’ death.

1.    Nine times we read that Jesus would suffer.

2.    Ten times we read that He suffered.

3.    One time the Bible refers to Jesus’ suffering (Heb. 2:9).

 

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

 

V.           THE MEANS OF MOCKERY (Matt. 27:40, 42; Mark 15:30, 32)

 

A.   A person who was executed was positioned in a highly trafficked area so as many as possible could see the person’s fate.  Remember, Rome used this as a means of social control in the nation.

 

B.   If a person was on the cross, he was thought to be a criminal.  Many who passed by, took advantage of the opportunity to mock and ridicule those who were suffering for their transgressions.

 

C.   Jesus was a unique case.  He was a man who made bold claims and who had done marvelous works among the people. 

1.    I am the Messiah.

2.    I am the Son of the Highest.

3.    Healing the lame, casting our demons, and raising the dead.

 

D.   The cross provided a means of mockery for some who were at the foot of the cross (Matt. 27:39-44).

 

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself.  If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.  Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save.  If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.  He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him:  for he said, I am the Son of God.  The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

 

1.    The rhyme says that sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will never hurt us.

2.    We all know this is not the case at all.  Words can often hurt more than bodily wounds.

 

VI.         THE PLACARD OF A POTENTATE (John 19:19)

 

A.   All four writers of the gospels record the placard that Pilate placed above the head of Jesus on the cross.

 

Matthew 27:37       THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS

Mark 15:26            THE KING OF THE JEWS

Luke 23:38             THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

John 19:19            JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS

 

B.   According to John 19:20, the title was written in three languages:  Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.  (NOTE:  This could be the reason the writers of the gospels have different words describing the content of the title).

 

C.   The title did several things:

1.    It listed the charge made against Jesus that cause Him to be crucified.

2.    It incited the emotions of the Jews who asked Pilate to change the title (John 19:21-22).

3.    It proclaimed the truth.  Jesus came to become the King of the Jews and is.

VII.       THE TOOL OF TERMINATION

 

A.   There was only one end for those who hung on a cross, that is, death.

 

B.   Philippians 2:8

 

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

 

C.   Jesus did not escape the horrible outcome of the cross (Luke 24:46).

 

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:  and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

 

1.    The Romans soldiers knew Jesus was dead and did not break his legs (John 19:33).

2.    One Roman soldier assured the death of Jesus by piercing his side with a spear (John 19:34).

3.    Pilate confirmed the death of Jesus by means of a centurion (Mark 15:44-45).

4.    Joseph and Nicodemus took the corpse of Jesus and put it in the new tomb (John 19:38-42).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   A lesson like this provides us with information.

 

B.   A lesson like this provides us with appreciation.

 

C.   A lesson like this provides us with contemplation.

1.    God’s love (John 3:16).

2.    Jesus’ death (1 Cor. 11:26).

3.    Man’s blessing (Eph.1:3)