This talk is in addition to the 2006 Series on “The Cross” by Dorothy Newton.
Using the Revised Standard Version (RSV) Bible.
Visual Aids are used in this talk.
A Cross is made of textile material large enough to accommodate items on the following list.
Picture “Sat Nav.”
Three nails
Treasure hidden in a field
Blindfold
Bible
Picture “a garden.”
Oyster shell with pearl
Picture “Waiting for a bus.”
These are placed inside the cross.
Each one is pulled out in turn and its significance explained.
The verses of scripture can be handed out and read at the appropriate time.
Material large enough to accomodate the largest object is cut into two crosses and then sewn together along the dotted lines. Leave open the four ends to enable the objects to be placed inside the cross and pulled out at the appropriate time.
The cross a place of change, a cross roads.
Life is often described as a journey and at some point we may be challenged to take a step of faith in the direction of Jesus.
Sat Nav (picture taken out of the cross)
Nowadays when we’re about to embark on a journey we may chose to use the Sat Nav. By keying in the post code, the Sat Nav gives us the route to follow.
We set off, through the Sat Navigator’s voice we receive stage by stage instructions until the voice will ultimately say, “You have reached your destination.” “You have reached your destination.”
On our journey of faith we need to be clear about where we’re going and who’s giving us our direction. Many religions believe in God, but which one has the truth that reveals God himself and the way to find him?
Christianity directs us to Jesus, the accounts written about him are found in the Bible, in the New Testament. In Matthew’s Gospel he records the conversation between Jesus and his disciples, Matthew was one of them. In this conversation they discover Jesus’ identity the Christ.
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said,”Some say John the Baptist; others say, Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them,”But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Bar-Jona!” For flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16: 13-17
Jesus the Son of man
“The Messiah’s Secret.” PART FOUR: THE SON OF MAN Page 67
“The mystery of the Son of man is revealed in Matthew’s Gospel. The Jews knew that the name ‘Son of man’ was one of the names associated with the Messiah. The crowd implied that the Son of man was one of the prophets that God would raise from the dead. Jesus asked his disciples who did they think the Son of man is. Peter’s replied that he was the Christ this was acknowledged by Jesus as having been revealed to him by God. Jesus by asking this question has revealed that the Son of man is the Christ.
All the signs were visible that Jesus was the Messiah such as the undeniable miracles and healing, which took place over approximately three years of Jesus’ ministry. This evidence linked with his resurrection would prove that he was the Christ when after Pentecost the apostles proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection and that the prophesies concerning his death and resurrection had been fulfilled in Jesus that he was the Christ.”
Peter and the disciples had found out the truth concerning Jesus who he was, the Son of man, the Christ.
Some were expecting the “Son of man” to be a resurrected prophet
The disciples recalled what they had heard from the people regarding the title “the Son of man.” They referred the title to one of the prophets who had died, John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah. John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod some time before this conversation took place. Some believed that God would resurrect one of these prophets who would be the Christ, the promised Messiah who would bring in God’s kingdom. Mark 6: 14. 8: 27-30. (Added March 2013 blog Jesus our Redeemer - Qumran Scrolls the Essene Community were in existence before the Pharisees and Sadducees. "Many scholars believe that they were connected with rise of the Pharisees in the centuries before the birth of Jesus," Introducing the Old Testament" by John Drane. The scrolls indicate that they believed in two Messiahs. In the Damascus Document - one of the Messiahs would return.)
At Pentecost Peter gave assurance to the people that King David although he had prophesied the resurrection of the Christ that he was not the Christ, the Messiah.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 78
“Both Peter and St. Paul found it necessary to explain to the people that King David was not the Messiah.
“Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried . . . . For David did not ascend into the heavens.” Peter at the outset stated clearly that King David had died and had been buried in Jerusalem and his remains lay in the grave.”
“St. Paul on his first ministry tour at the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia told them, ”For David, after he had served the council of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption” Acts 2: 25 – 36. 13: 36.
Victor Buksbazen in his book “The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel” quotes in chapter five page fifty two concerning the Feast of Tabernacles “A Messianic Prayer, the Last Day of the Feast of Tabernacles.” This prayer I found also substantiated my view that some of the Jews had believed that God would resurrect King David and see him as the Messiah.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 77
“A voice heralds and saith:
Turn unto me and be saved,
Today if ye hear my voice,
Behold the man sprang forth – Branch is his name – David himself.
Stand up! Be buried in the dust no longer!
Ye who dwell in the dust.
Wake up and sing.
Glad will be the people when he ruleth.
The name of the ungodly shall perish.
But to his anointed, the Messiah David, he giveth grace
Grant salvation to the eternal people to David and his seed for ever.
The voice heralds and saith.”
Some of the people were expecting King David to be resurrected in order to have immortality to enable the eternal kingdom of God to be ruled by him.
Three nails (Taken out of the cross)
Nails were used to hold Jesus on the cross. God’s love took him there.
The Son of man had authority to forgive sin.
The leaders and people didn’t expect the Son of man to have authority to forgive sin; Jesus had that power, which was exclusive to Jesus. Even King David didn’t have that authority from God to forgive people their sins.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 68
“Jesus had authority to forgive sins on the earth without a person receiving baptism or offering a sacrifice. “But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
When the paralytic man was healed it caused controversy because the scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy because only God could forgive sins. Jesus proved he had power and authority over sin by telling the paralytic to get up and walk, and as he responded he was healed immediately. Jesus proved to the Pharisees that his authority was God given; only God could make a person clean, whole.” Mark 2:5-12. Luke 5:17-26
Some Jewish people believed that sickness and disease were the result of sin. By forgiving the paralytic his sin and healing him, Jesus proved to the scribes and Pharisees that his authority was from God.
The Psalmist wrote:
“Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; he sent forth his word, and healed them.”Psalm 107:17-20
“As for me, I said,”O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against thee!” Psalm 41:4
The Pharisees denounced the man as a sinner who had been born blind, who testifies that he had received his sight from Jesus. “The Pharisees answered him,”You were born in utter sin, and would teach us.” And they cast him out.” John 9:34
By forgiving sins Jesus made himself equal with God. Therefore scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy and healing by the power of Beelzebub from Mark 3:22
Jesus also made it clear that not all sickness was as a result of sin. We find an account of this when Jesus’ disciples asked him about the blind man, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.” John 9:1-3
In the letter to the Galatians we read that it was because of Paul’s bodily ailment he stopped off in their region. ”And though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.. . . for I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.” Galatians 4:13-15.
“It’s not known for sure what Paul’s bodily ailment was. No definite conclusions may be drawn from the little Paul says about it here and in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. From Paul’s words one may infer that it was chronic, recurring, and painful, repulsive to the spectator, and humiliating to Paul.” Eyre & Spottiswoode Study Bible page 1742
Luke was Paul’s doctor and carer on Paul’s ministry tours.
Treasure hidden in a field (Taken out of the cross)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys the field.” Matthew 13: 44
The knowledge of Jesus being the promised Messiah was to be kept hidden like the treasure in the field.
Continuing with the account in Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 16, Jesus made it clear to his disciples that they were not to identify him as the Christ to the religious leaders and people.
In verse 20 “Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.”
It wasn’t easy for the disciples to keep Jesus’ identity a secret. It must have been really hard when people asked directly “The Jews gathered around him and said to him,” How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly.” John 10:24
Jesus responded by telling them to look at his work for God, the miracles and people being healed of their ailments so that they could and judge for themselves.
“And many followed him and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen my beloved with whom my soul is pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will no wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” Matthew 12: 15-19
To fulfil Isaiah’s prophecy, the Messiah would not make himself known by proclaiming himself on the streets as the Christ during his ministry. At the Transfiguration, God said to those who where there, ”This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.” Luke 9: 35, 36
We find that the unclean spirits recognised Jesus as the Son of God, they cried out in submission to his authority. Jesus’ response was to stop them from making him known from Mark 3: 11, 12
After the healing of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus strictly told them that no one should know this from Mark 5:43
Two blind men were healed of their blindness. “And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” Matthew 9: 27-30
All four Gospels confirm that Jesus wanted his identity as the Christ, the Messiah, a kept secret.
Blindfold (Taken out of the cross)
“Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” Luke 22: 63, 64The disciples didn’t understand when Jesus told them that he was going to die and it was not revealed to them by God.
Sometimes there can be a blindfold over our understanding of the scriptures, and as a result we can not see God in Jesus or the way to find him.
Matthew continues in verse 21 “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
In verse 22 “And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, God forbid. Lord! This shall never happen to you.”
Jesus’ death was hidden from the disciples and people’s understanding.
Luke wrote in his gospel from material given to him from eye witnesses, the disciples and followers of Jesus. “And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marvelling at everything he did, he said to his disciples. “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of man.” But they didn’t understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Luke 9:43-45
“And taking the twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”
Luke 18:31-34
What Jesus had told them about his death conflicted with what they had been taught that when the Messiah came he would live for ever.
The people were taught that when the Messiah came he would live forever.
Peter’s response to Jesus’ words concerning his death,”God forbid. Lord! This shall never happen to you,” confirmed what the Jewish people were taught from the Law of Moses that when the Messiah came he would live for ever. “The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 34.
The Jews at that time didn’t believe that God would allow their Messiah to come and die. They expected the Christ to come and take up the throne of King David and rule from Jerusalem the eternal kingdom of God. They were the people who God would use to take the news of the Christ to the ends of the earth.
The disciples like everybody else were taught that when the Messiah came he would remain on the earth.
We find other examples in the gospels: “So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying, “He saved others but he can not save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.
On the road to Emmaus two of Jesus’ disciples were talking a stranger about the crucifixion of Jesus. “But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened.” Luke 24: 21
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension Peter at Pentecost proclaimed that it was in God’s plan that Jesus had died “Men of Israel hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in you midst, as you yourselves know this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God . . . . .”Acts 2: 22,23.
When we experience for ourselves the Lord’s words being revealed to us. Then we realise that all that has been written about Jesus is true. One experience is worth a thousand arguments.
Bible (Taken out of the cross)
The author of a book can reveal an event before it happens. God’s plan of saving the nation of Israel, the nations of the world and the universe was given in a prophecy to Caiaphas.
“So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on thus, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” But one of them Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but that the high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.”
John 11: 47-51
The head man of the Sanhedrin, the governing body of the nation of Israel was given a prophesy. This directive from God indicated that in order to save the nation Jesus had to die. The true identity of Jesus was hidden because had they known him they would not have sacrificed him.
The prophet Isaiah foretold how hardened the hearts of the Israelites would be towards Jesus.
Matthew quotes Jesus quoting from Isaiah,” You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy with hearing, and their eyes have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand in their heart, and turn for me to heal them.”
Matthew 13: 14, 15. Isaiah 6:9, 10.
Through this prophesy given to Caiaphas we also understand that Israel as a nation will never perish.
Prophecy defined.
Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit given in several ways; to present the truth, the ability to supernaturally convey God’s message for the moment in the language of the speaker and hearers.
Picture of a garden (Taken from the cross)
Jesus the Son of man the second Adam
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Hebrews 2: 14
The first Adam’s separation from God gave Satan, the devil the power over mankind’s heart/soul. As a result sin followed bringing into the world pain, suffering, sickness, disease and death known as the fall of man. Human beings became self- centered, self-ruled in heart, mind and will, but man’s conscience bore witness to God. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? I the Lord search the mind and try the heart. . . .” Jeremiah 17: 9, 10
Jesus was God’s answer to redeem us from the fall. He partook of the same nature, he knew our weaknesses and failings and ultimately he was separated from God himself when he bore the sins of the whole world upon the cross. “Then as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.” Romans 5:18
Jesus the Son of man, the second Adam, in his humanity went to the cross, to redeem us from the inherited fallen nature of the first Adam for all those who would believe in him.
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in his resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. . . . let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey its passions. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God. . . . Romans 6:5-14
The cross is at the start of our journey of faith and continues to bear witness within us of the need to be right with God, and we will, to do the will of God, walking in his ways, living out the gospel of love and grace. We have a Saviour who understands our weaknesses and failings. “For he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2: 18
If we confess our sin and ask for his forgiveness with the intention of not continuing to sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9
A word I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.” It was as I understood to be in preparation for his return with the angels of God. Mark 8:38
The Adam and Eve of the New Testament
Ananias and Sapphira they were part of the early church community, they committed themselves to selling a field and giving the proceeds to the community. However they changed their minds and lied to Peter to cover up the fact that they had gone back on their word. Peter through the gift of knowledge told them individually that they had lied to God and as a result they both died in turn falling at Peter’s feet. Acts 5:1 -11
On the evening of the Day of his resurrection Jesus had given his disciples his authority over the retaining or the forgiveness of sins. Later when the apostles had set up the community of believers in Jerusalem Peter administered judgement on sins these were not forgiven on Ananias and Sapphira because they had lied to God. As a judgement they in turn fell dead at his feet. We read that this incident caused a Godly fear amongst the people.
Peter was given this authority as a result of the disciples being told by Jesus that they would have judgement over the twelve tribes of Israel in the kingdom of God.
“You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 22: 28-30
The apostles were told by Jesus to remain in Jerusalem, even when the persecution and scattering of the church took place they remained waiting for Jesus to return.
Pearl in Oyster Shell (taken out of the cross)
The oyster suffers to produce the pearl. A pearl is formed in the shell of an oyster through a parasite entering into the damaged shell. The suffering oyster sends to the parasite a chemical that covers it. The solution builds up over a period of time to form the pearl.
Like the Oyster Jesus suffered as a result of the parasite, sin, the solution given to overcome the sin Jesus’ life laid down, Jesus’ blood poured upon the parasite of sin. The pearl being formed of great value, highly prized, the resurrection of Jesus the pearl of salvation.
In the Book of Revelation we read that entrance into the heavenly city Jerusalem is through the gates which are made of a single pearl.
Jesus opens the minds of his disciples to his suffering.
“Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened up their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:44-47
In Luke’s account of the evening of the Day of the Resurrection when the disciples where gathered in the house Jesus came among them. Jesus opened up their minds to understand the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection. As these scriptures were revealed to them they later included some of them in the gospels:
“Jesus said, “For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled, in me, “And he was reckoned with transgressors for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” Luke 22:37.Isaiah 53: 12
“This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah. He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8:17 Isaiah 53: 4
“His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for thy house will consume me.” John 2:17. Psalm 69:9 This is in connection with Jesus casting out of the temple the money changers and sellers of offerings.
“His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, and then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him.” John 12:16. Zechariah 9 :9 These words were in response the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
“And many followed him and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen my beloved with whom my soul is pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will no wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” Matthew 12: 15-19. Isaiah 42: 1-3
In the gospels these prophesies were given to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
Thirty three Bible prophesies were fulfilled on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Waiting for a bus (Taken out of the cross)
We can stand for what seems a long time waiting for a bus. Throughout the Acts and Epistles there is an expectation of Jesus’ return within the Apostles life time because Jesus had indicated this to them.
“Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 9:1
“The saying was spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is the Lord’s will that he remain until I come, what is that to you.” John 21:23
It was at and after Pentecost when for the first time the disciples proclaimed Jesus as the promised Messiah. “Peter and John spoke to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, ‘And now brethren, I know you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.’” Acts 3:17 - 20.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 108
“God was calling his people to repentance. Peter had told them that the rulers and people had acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus; he had to die to accomplish the plan of Salvation for the Jews and for the world. If they would repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus would return. The times of refreshing, after his coming he would restore the throne of King David, an everlasting throne and Kingdom, and the restoration of the land given to Abraham by God for an eternal possession. Those who were expecting, waiting would see the Kingdom come with power. Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
“The Messiah’s Secret - A Kept Secret." Jesus didn’t want his identity made known during his ministry. Peter discovered who he was “the Son of man, the Christ as God revealed it to him.” Why Jesus wanted his identity kept a secret because he knew that he had to be killed, die on a cross, be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven. The prophesies about Jesus had to be fulfilled. He came to redeem mankind from the power of Satan, before the nation could receive him as the Messiah and take the good news to the rest of the world.
