What Do You See In Jesus' Cross?
Introduction
(John 12:20–21):
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, certain Greeks said, “Sir, we would see
Jesus.” That request still speaks. When we look to Christ—especially
at the cross—what do we truly see in Him?
The Cross:
The Crux of God’s Redeeming Plan
Scripture presents Calvary as the central turning point of God’s
purpose. The very word crux reminds us that the cross stands at the
center of revelation and redemption. In the days surrounding the
crucifixion, Jerusalem was divided. Some marveled at the raising of
Lazarus. Others hardened themselves and plotted. Yet amid intrigue
and hostility, seekers arrived with a clear desire: “We would see
Jesus” (John 12:20–21). Those words invite every heart to look
beyond crowds, customs, and controversy, and to behold the Lamb of
God.
What
Onlookers Saw Around the Cross
The Gospels reveal a range of reactions. Soldiers noticed a garment
and gambled. Religious leaders perceived a blasphemer receiving
punishment. Curious bystanders observed a spectacle. One criminal
railed; another recognized a final doorway of hope. A ruler rushed
toward Sabbath formalities. Joseph of Arimathea saw honor due to the
Lord’s body. A centurion, shaken by the signs, confessed, “Truly
this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). Women stood near with love
and grief. An apostle beheld his closest friend. A mother witnessed
her son’s death. Above all, the Father looked upon the Holy One
bearing the world’s sin. The cross exposes hearts; it also reveals
Heaven’s heart toward mankind.
Seeing the
Enormity of Sin
The cross displays sin’s true size. The sinless Son of God suffered
for “our transgressions” and “our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:4–6). In
those verses, the Spirit emphasizes “our,” “we,” and “us,” pressing
the personal nature of guilt. “All have sinned and come short of the
glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Christ “died for our sins according to
the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). He “bare our sins in his own
body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). The cross confronts every
conscience. Peter spoke plainly at Pentecost: “Ye… by wicked hands
have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). In a broader sense, each
accountable sinner stands included. The cross challenges pride and
removes illusions. To gaze at Golgotha is to admit, “This is what my
sin required.”
Seeing Our
Helplessness Apart from Christ
The cross also teaches the bankruptcy of self-reliance. Many are
zealous yet uninformed, “going about to establish their own
righteousness,” and in doing so they refuse God’s way (Romans
10:1–3). Human achievement cannot erase guilt; “all our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). True faith yields
the will to God’s revealed path—repentance and obedience to the
gospel. At Pentecost, those pierced by the word asked, “What shall
we do?” Peter answered, “Repent, and be baptized… for the remission
of sins” (Acts 2:37–38). Saul learned the same pattern: “Arise, and
be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the
Lord” (Acts 22:16). United with Christ in baptism, we are buried
into His death and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4).
Outside Christ there is only spiritual death; in Christ there is
life (Ephesians 2:1–7; 1 John 5:11; Ephesians 1:3).
Seeing
God’s Power to Forgive
The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). At
its center stands the death, burial, and resurrection: “Christ died
for our sins… he was buried… he rose again the third day” (1
Corinthians 15:3–4). Divine justice required more than ritual blood,
for “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should
take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). God provided the spotless Lamb,
“without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19). Through
Christ, God is “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in
Jesus” (Romans 3:26). Forgiveness means sins removed “as far as the
east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12), blotted out (Acts 3:19),
remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12). For those walking in the light,
“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”
continually (1 John 1:7–9).
Seeing the
Inexhaustible Love of God
The cross magnifies love that never runs dry. “God commendeth his
love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us” (Romans 5:8). In that same passage humanity is named “without
strength,” “ungodly,” “sinners,” and “enemies” (Romans 5:6, 8, 10).
Love moved God to send His Son for such a people. “Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us” (1 John 3:1).
“Herein is love… that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Hearts grow quiet before a
love higher than thought and deeper than oceans.
“What Do You See In Jesus?”
Sermon Outline:
-
Introduction: John 12:20–21—The
abiding request to see Jesus.
-
I. The
Cross: The Crux of God’s Redeeming Plan
-
II.
What Onlookers Saw Around the Cross
-
Soldiers, rulers, crowds, criminals, disciples, women,
Joseph, centurion (Matthew 27:54; John 19).
-
III.
Seeing the Enormity of Sin
-
IV.
Seeing Our Helplessness Apart from Christ
-
Human
schemes vs. God’s righteousness (Romans 10:1–3; Isaiah
64:6).
-
Calling
on the Lord through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:37–38;
Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4).
-
Life in
Christ alone (Ephesians 2:1–7; 1 John 5:11; Ephesians 1:3).
-
V.
Seeing God’s Power to Forgive
-
The
gospel’s saving power (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
-
The
sufficient sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Romans
3:26).
-
Full
pardon and ongoing cleansing (Psalm 103:12; Acts 3:19;
Hebrews 8:12; 1 John 1:7–9).
-
VI.
Seeing the Inexhaustible Love of God
-
Love
toward the helpless, ungodly, sinful, and hostile (Romans
5:6–10).
-
The
Father’s bestowed love; propitiation through the Son (1 John
3:1; 4:10).
-
Conclusion: The cross unveils
sin’s depth, our need, God’s grace, and divine love. The
question returns: What do you see in Jesus?
Call to
Action:
Come to the Savior you behold. Hear the word (Romans 10:17). Believe
the gospel (John 3:16). Repent of sins (Luke 13:3). Confess Jesus as
Lord (Romans 10:9–10). Be baptized into Christ and raised to new
life (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 22:16). If you have wandered, return
through confession; He is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:9).
Walk in the light, and His blood keeps cleansing (1 John 1:7).
Key
Takeaways:
-
The cross
exposes the true weight of sin borne by the Servant (Isaiah
53:4–6; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3).
-
Self-made
righteousness fails; God’s way saves through obedient faith
(Romans 10:1–3; Acts 2:37–38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4).
-
Forgiveness
flows from Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and continues as we
walk in the light (Hebrews 10:4; 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 John 1:7–9).
-
Calvary
reveals the boundless love of the Father for the helpless and
estranged (Romans 5:6–10; 1 John 3:1; 4:10).
-
To “see
Jesus” is to trust, obey, and follow Him into life and hope
(John 12:20–21; Ephesians 1:3; 1 John 5:11).
Scripture
Reference List:
John 12:20–21—Seekers who desired to see Jesus
Matthew 27:54—Centurion’s confession at the cross
Isaiah 53:4–6—The Servant bearing our griefs and iniquities
Romans 3:23—All have sinned
1 Corinthians 15:3–4—Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection
1 Peter 2:24—Our sins borne in His body on the tree
Acts 2:23—By wicked hands crucified and slain
Romans 10:1–3—Zeal without knowledge; establishing one’s own
righteousness
Isaiah 64:6—Filthy rags of human righteousness
Acts 2:37–38—Repent and be baptized for remission of sins
Acts 22:16—Baptism, washing away sins, calling on the Lord
Romans 6:3–4—Baptized into Christ’s death; raised to new life
Ephesians 2:1–7—From death in sins to life with Christ
1 John 5:11—Life is in His Son
Ephesians 1:3—Every spiritual blessing in Christ
Romans 1:16—The gospel as God’s power to save
Hebrews 10:4—Animal blood insufficient
1 Peter 1:18–19—Redeemed by Christ’s precious blood
Romans 3:26—God just and justifier through Jesus
Psalm 103:12—Sins removed far away
Acts 3:19—Sins blotted out
Hebrews 8:12—Sins remembered no more
1 John 1:7–9—Continual cleansing as we walk in the light
Romans 5:6–10—Loved while without strength, ungodly, sinners,
enemies
1 John 3:1; 4:10—Bestowed love; propitiation through the Son
John 3:16; Romans 10:17; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9–10—Hearing, faith,
repentance, confession
Prepared by
Robert Moss |
The
church of Christ
