Scripture: Luke 23:32-46

Aim: To review with the student the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

Golden Text: “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 one on the left” (Luke 23:33). “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” (Luke 23:46).

The most important event that has ever taken, or will ever take place on behalf of mankind, took place in about 33 A.D. just outside of Jerusalem on a hillside called Mount Calvary, which was known as the “place of the skull.” It was a place where death was executed by crucifixion on a cross. Just how many persons had been executed there, we have no way of knowing, but three of these crucifixions have been etched into history indelibly. That was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and two un-named thieves. The influence of the thieves was little, if any. The influence of Jesus Christ has had both earthly and eternal impact upon multitudes of people.

Much criticism has been made against Jesus Christ, as to Who He is, and what He did through His death on the cross. In this lesson we are disinterested in what various people teach regarding Jesus’ death. The thing that captures our attention is “that Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (The Christian Bible, I Corinthians 15:3-4). We are not here dealing with other opinions as to whether the Scriptures are true. This author believes they are true, and that Jesus Christ died!

There is much in history that attests to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth died on a cross. We are interested in the “reason” He died on the cross.

I. His coming was prophesied all through the Old Testament Scriptures. The promise starts in Genesis 3:15, moves on to Abraham, then to Isaac and Jacob. The promise is renewed and expanded in Moses, then moves on to David and the Psalms. Further, the promise was given to almost every prophet who wrote a portion of Scripture. Many things were fore told; however, the death of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was not clearly revealed even though it was prophesied (Psalm 22, Isaiah 52-53). When we come to the New Testament the full light is shinned upon the truth of Jehovah’s plan to send Jesus Christ, God’s Son, to die for the sins of men.

II. Jesus told His disciples on several occasions that He must go to Jerusalem and be crucified. One of Jesus’ earliest mention that He would die was given to Nicodemus.

Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Jesus instructed the people that He will lay down His life and take it up again (John 1014-15). Jesus also spoke of His death as glorifying Himself and the Father (John 12:23-29).

Paul explains the death of Christ to us. Two passages of Scripture enlightens us greatly.

First, In Romans 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

In Romans 5:8 he says, “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Second, Paul wrote, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus Christ died for us. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He paid the penalty for all our sins and now any person who will turn from His sins to Jesus Christ can have his sins forgiven and washed away. This is what the Gospel of Christ is all about.

Christ died for our sins and now calls us to repent (turn from our sins) and believe on Him.

“As many as received Him to them He gave them the power (authority, right) to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). Jesus died for our sins!