The Experience of the Cross

I. The Outward Environment

A. Being subjected to a conspiracy and plot - Matt. 27:1
B. Being subjected to unreasonable men - Luke 22:66-71
C. Being treated like a common criminal - Matt. 27:2
D. Being misrepresented - Luke 23:1-5, 33-35
E. Being subjected to political intrigue - Luke 23:6-16
F. Being irreversibly impacted by a regretful betrayer - Matt. 27:3-10
G. Being a target of others' envy - Matt. 27:18
H. Being handed over to the will and decision of a frenzied mob - Matt. 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:18-25
I. Being shamefully and cruelly treated - Matt. 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-3
J. Being caught between religion and politics - John 19:4-16
K. Being crucified - Matt. 27:33-44; Mark 15:22-32; Luke 23:33-38; John 19:16-24
L. Being mocked and insulted by man - Matt. 27:39-44; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-43
M. Being judged by God - Matt. 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30

II. The Inward Responses

A. Submitting to God in the environment - Matt. 27:2
B. Being transparent with His accusers - Luke 22:66-71
C. Keeping Himself under the vision of God's economy - John 18:33-36
D. Not fighting - John 18:36
E. Being faithful to His divine destiny - John 18:37-38
F. Not answering or vindicating Himself - Matt. 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:9
G. Recognizing God's sovereignty in the environment - John 19:10-11
H. Being weak and needing a companion to bear the cross Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26 (cf. Rom. 16:13)
I. Not nursing self-pity - Luke 23:27-28
J. Loving others in the midst of His sufferings - Luke 23:27-31
K. Refusing to be drugged to escape pain - Matt. 27:34
L. Forgiving His enemies while they were crucifying Him - Luke 23:24
M. Caring for His loved ones and family - John 19:25-27
N. Saving the lost in His death - Luke 23:39-43
O. Finishing His work - John 19:30
P. Releasing His spirit - Matt. 27:50

III. The Issues from the Cross

A. Access to God affected - Matt. 27:51a; Heb. 10:19-20
B. Creation affected - Matt. 27:51b; Rom. 8:19-22
C. Death itself affected - Matt. 27:52-53
D. Unbelievers affected - Matt. 27:54
E. His followers affected - Matt. 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 23:48-49
F. The Scriptures affected - John 19:31-37
G. Man's relationship with God affected - John 19:34-35