Intro: There’s a gathering in this verse, one like the world has never seen before.
1. The position of this gathering. (These folks are standing, we’ve got enough folk sitting.)
2. The place of this gathering. (Not many today are willing to be identified with the cross.)
3. The purpose of this gathering. (Not any cross it’s our Lord’s cross. “.the cross of Jesus” )
4. The people of this gathering. (They are mothers, they are Mary's)
To stand by the cross of Jesus took:
1. Courage........They were putting themselves at risk.
2. Compassion..Not many even cared about Jesus as he died.
3. Commitment..This is going all the way with our service.
What is really astounding is that these women saw the importance of being near the cross. I wonder if we see the importance of being near the cross today? The cross is the theme of Heaven as well as earth. (John mentions the Lamb 28 times in the book of Revelation.)
1. The cross is the only title to Heaven and Glory.Rev. 7:9-15
2. The cross is the center of Heavens government. Rev. 4:2,5:6
3. The cross is the source of Heaven’s life....................22:1
4. The cross is the brilliance of Heaven’s light.............21:23
5. The cross is the scene of Heaven’s worship.............21:22
6. The Cross is the theme of Heaven’s song.................5:9
7. The cross is the incentive of Heaven’s service.........22:3
8. The cross is the basis of Heaven’s triumph..............12:11
9. The cross is the subject of Heaven’s rejoicing.........19:7
10. The cross is the terror of Heaven’s enemies..6:12-17
The importance of being near the cross is that.... I. We see the image of Christ......vs.25
Calvary would forever be an image in the heart and minds of those that was near. Those standing by the cross of Jesus would never forget what they saw. (May we never forget it either.)
A. They would never forget his strength on the cross.
B. They would never forget his sufferings on the cross.
C. They would never forget his sayings on the cross.
II. We hear the instructions of Christ.....vs.26-27
Isn’t it amazing that even on the cross Jesus is still caring for the needs of others? (vs.26, Also mention the thief in Lu.23)
A. These were loving instructions..vs.26 “..whom he loved..”
B. These were life long instructions...vs.27
C. These were large instructions. (Imagine the privilege.)
John would have never heard this instruction had he not been close enough to the cross. I wonder how many times we fail to hear Christ speak to us, all because we do not see the importance of being near the cross?
III. We know the intentions of Christ....vs.28
A. His intentions was to fulfill the scriptures....vs.28
B. His intentions was to finish salvation...........vs.29
C. His intentions was to free & forgive sinners.
IV. We follow the illustration of Christ.
Being near the cross gave them a perfect illustration of what Christian service was about.
A. They saw the depth of Christ service to the cross.
(How far he was willing to go.) This would help them to go farther.
B. They saw the dedication of Christ service to the cross.
(Though the road to Calvary got hard, he would not turn back.)
C. They saw the death of Christ; his service on the cross.
His plan from the beginning was to die on the cross. Our plan daily should be to crucify ourselves to God. They could never have understood any of this, had they been standing afar off.
