On December 7, 1941, the Japanese armed forces bombed the US Naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. President Roosevelt delivered a radio address the next day that described the event as a "day that will live in infamy." Webster's Dictionary describes infamy as, "disgrace, dishonor, great wickedness." I have heard the assassination of President Kennedy described as the most "infamous" day in the history of our great nation. That may very well be so. Perhaps the day that comes to our minds this morning as a more recent inclusion of history's infamous days would be September 11, 2001. However, I would like to take you back in time to a day 2,000 years ago that will forever stand as the most infamous day in the history of humanity. On that day, mankind raised its rebellious fist against the Almighty. On that day, the Son of God became the Lamb slain from the foundations of the world. The day Jesus Christ was crucified is the most infamous day in the history of the world. This morning's portrait of Jesus is another one that is not a pretty picture. It is one of Jesus: the Crucified King.
I. The Crucified King Endured:
A. Great Suffering:
1. Jesus Christ was subjected to ridicule and shame.
a. For robbery or murder, a Roman slave was stripped naked and crucified.
b. The sinless of Son of God received the same shameful treatment.
c. Heb. 12:2 tells us that He 'endured the cross despising the shame'.
d. Sin and shame cannot be separated, so as He bore the sin He also suffered the shame.
e. It is a tragic fact that many today, who profess to be Christians, are ashamed of the One who bore their shame on Calvary.
2. Jesus Christ was beaten severely.
a. He was taken and scourged at the hand of an expert.
b. The instrument was a 'flagellum', which was made up of a wooden handle to which were attached long strips of leather with bits of bone and metal sewn to the tips.
c. With every blow, the flesh and muscle tissue was literally ripped from the body.
d. The maximum sentence was 39 lashes, because no one was thought to be able to survive 40
3. Jesus Christ was mocked and scorned by those who should have befriended Him.
a. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not.
b. 'They said, "Away with Him! Crucify Him!"
c. So Jesus was taken and nailed to the cross by order of Pilate.
d. The amount of suffering He endured for us upon the cross surpasses our imagination.
B. Physical Death:
1. He died a voluntary death.
a. John 10:11, '... the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.'
b. He said, '...no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.'
2. He died a substitutionary death.
a. Jesus died for you and me, along with the rest of mankind.
b. Peter said, "Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree..." 1 Peter 2:24
c. Paul wrote, "...our Savior Jesus Christ: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity..." Titus 2:14
3. He died a necessary death.
a. Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death..."
b. He had to die and shed His blood for us.
c. "Without shedding of blood is no remission" cf Heb. 9:22
d. As the lamb was sacrificed and the blood was shed as an atonement ...so the Lamb of God shed His blood on Calvary to atone for our sins once and for all!
II. The Crucified King Observed.
A. There were the spectators.
1. These were those who came to watch His crucifixion, with apathy.
2. They were Indifferent to His suffering, and to the injustice and hatred that put Him there.
3. They never hated Christ, they just didn't care about Him.
4. This can be best seen as the soldiers cast lots for His garments while He suffered the agony of the cross.
B. There were the enemies.
1. The scribes, priests, and rulers of the Jews.
2. They had sought for some time a way to silence His message to the people, and now they were enjoying their success.
3. He had revealed their wicked and hypocritical ways and they sought relief from His convicting words.
C. There were the friends.
1. It is sad, but that was the smallest crowd that day.
2. Only a handful of sympathetic friends who were not ashamed to be recognized as those who loved Him.
3. The group consisted mostly of women, only John and perhaps Peter, was willing to be identified with Him at His death.
4. The great multitudes that were fed by the fish and loaves were not there, the many who were healed by His loving touch were not to be found, and only a few consecrated followers were on hand when He died.
D. The crowds are the same today.
1. There are those who hate the sound of His name.
a. They want nothing to do with Christ or His church.
b. They are too concerned with their own plans and goals.
c. Many traffic in sin and use their time, talents, and their influence for Satan.
2. There are so many today that are just indifferent.
a. They do not hate Christ, but they don't seem to care that He died for them.
b. They are content to live their lives as though there is no eternity.
c. They are cold and callous toward His church and toward His people.
3. Thank God, there are those today who love Him, and aren't ashamed to be identified with Him.
a. They are faithful to serve Him in any way they can.
b. They seek to tell others of His marvelous saving grace.
c. They are faithful to Him in their lives before others.
III. The Crucified King Assured:
A. God's Love and Sacrifice.
1. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."
a. When God gave His Son, it was not with any expectation that He might somehow escape the cursed death of the cross.
b. God had no hope of saving men but by the death of His Son.
c. So too, man has no hope of being saved but through the power of the Cross.
d. Ac. 4:12, "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved"
2. "Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God" Eph. 5:2
a. The cross stands for the love of the Father and the sacrifice of God the Son.
b. The message of the Cross is the message of infinite and undeserved love.
c. Only God could love sinners enough to give His only Son to the as a sacrifice for our sins.
d. 'But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' Ro. 5:8
B. Man's Redemption and Salvation.
1. The plan of redemption was laid before the foundation of the world.
a. John the Baptist identified Jesus as the 'Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world' cf Jn. 1:29
b. But the book of Revelation tells us that He was 'the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world' cf Re. 13:8
2. That plan was completed when Jesus cried, "It is finished!"
a. He came to give His life a ransom for many.
b. Jesus had to die according to God's plan of redemption.
c. Since the redemption has been completed now salvation is within the each of all people.
d. "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins..." Eph. 1:7
3. "Sing, Oh sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me, On the cross He sealed my pardons paid the debt and made me free!"
As you view Him today, He is the crucified King…do you know Him as your personal Savior? Are you looking for Him to return as our Sovereign Lord? Come today whatever the need might be…the Crucified King gave His precious life for you and me.