The Meaning of the Cross

I. In Relationship to Redemption - Matthew 26:1-5, 17-25

A. The meaning of Christ being our Passover - 1 Cor. 5:7b
1. God's judgment passes over us because of the blood - Exo. 12:12-13;
Rom. 3:24-26; Rev. 12:11
B. The details related to the Passover Lamb - Exo. 12
1. The lamb examined being without blemish - Exo. 12:3-6; Matt. 26:1-5; 21:23-22:46; 1 Pet. 1:18-19
2. The lamb slain to redeem us - Exo. 12:6-7, 11-14; Matt. 26:2; Rev. 5:6, 9
3. The lamb eaten to supply us - Exo. 12:7-11; John 6:53-57
C. The meaning of keeping the feast of unleavened bread - Exo.12:14-20; Matt. 26:17-25;
1 Cor. 5:6-8
1. Purge out the old leaven (enjoy Christ by putting away the old manner of life )
- 1 Cor. 5:6-7; Col. 3:5-10
2. The Christian life is depicted as a celebration of Christ or a keeping of the feast and is to be celebrated with purity of motive and a life in reality - 1 Cor. 5:7-8

II. In Relationship to Loving the Lord - Matthew 26:6-13

A. The value of Christ's Person to us - Matt. 26:7; Phil. 3:7-10; Heb. 11:26
B. Wasting our love on Christ - Matt. 26:8-11; 1 Cor. 8:3
C. The revelation of Christ brings in appreciation for Him - Matt. 26:12 (cf. Matt. 16:21;
17:22-23; 20:18-19; 26:2)
D. Our appreciation for Him becoming a testimony - Matt. 26:13 (cf. Rev. 2:4-5)

III. In Relationship to the Lord's Supper - Matthew 26:26-30

A. The significance of "the bread" - Matt. 26:26
1. Participation in Christ's life - John 6:51, 53, 57
2. Fellowship of the mystical Body of Christ - 1 Cor. 10:16b-17
3. Eating to focus upon Christ - 1 Cor. 11:23-24
B. The significance of "the cup" - Matt. 26:27-28
1. Fellowship of the blood of Christ - 1 Cor. 10:16a; John 6:53-56
2. Participation in the new covenant blessings - 1 Cor. 10:16a; Heb. 13:20-21
3. Drinking to focus upon Christ - 1 Cor. 11:25-26
C. The significance of having the Lord's supper
1. Declaring His all-inclusive death until He comes - 1 Cor. 11:26
2. Having a foretaste in the church today for a full-taste in the coming Kingdom
- Matt. 26:29
3. Worship and enjoyment in singing - Matt. 26:30; Heb. 2:11-13

IV. In Relationship to the Lord Himself - Matthew 26:36-46

A. Becoming obedient unto death - Matt. 26:36-38; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 5:7-8
B. Submitting to the Father's will in prayer - Matt. 26:39-44
C. Anticipating resurrection and enthronement - Matt. 26:32, 61, 64; Heb. 12:2
D. Fulfilling Scripture - Matt. 26:24, 31, 54-56
V. In Relationship to God's Sovereignty - Matthew 26:47-75
A. The scattering of the disciples - Matt. 26:31-33, 56
B. The betrayal of Judas - Matt. 26:14-16, 21-25, 45-50
C. The conspiracy and shameful treatment of the Jews
- Matt. 26:3-5, 51-56, 57-68; Heb. 12:2-3
D. The denial of Peter - Matt. 26:33-35, 69-75