A Place of Redemption


 Big Idea:

The Cross: A Place of Redemption for Everyone.

Today a new sermon , “Near The Cross.” We will be investigating some people we find listed in John 19:25-27 which is part of the story that describes the crucifixion of Jesus.

Here we are introduced to several people who have gathered near the crosswitness the death of Jesus Christ. Let’s read this brief account together (John 19:25-27)

All together I find 6 different people mentioned in these 3 verses:

1)   Jesus, 2) Jesus’ mother, 3) Jesus’ mothers sister, 4) Mary the wife of Clopas, 5) Mary Magdalene and 6) the disciple whom he [Jesus] loved

 we are going to talk about 3 of these characters and discover how Jesus had made such an impact on their lives they were willing to follow Him all the way to the cross.

When I think of the cross and how Jesus had to die sometimes I struggle to really understand why it had to be and what it meant. I am sure I am not alone in my struggle.

In our modern world we have somewhat played down the gruesomeness of the cross.

 We have turned the cross into an iconic image worn on chains around necks, fashioned into chocolate candies, sewn on clothing, tattooed on bodies and a whole lot more.

Because of this we have been convinced the cross was not all that terrible.

But what was the cross all about? What is the real picture we should be seeing o the cross?

When I see those horrible images my first reaction is turn away. I find myself

trying to think about the prettier and less graphic images I have seen in Sunday school books and church walls. Then I think…

·     “Why were these six people gathered near the cross?”

·     “What would compel them to stand there and witness the blood shed?”

·     “Why would they have done like Peter, James and the other disciples and just run away and hide?”

What would you have done in this situation?

For a moment I want you to put yourself in the shoes of the disciples.

They had followed Jesus for a little more than 3 years.

 They had heard Him teaching. They had seen the miracles.

They had been witness to some amazing things but when trouble came they ran.

 One of the disciples named Peter told Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death”

 In the end Peter denied the Lord and hid away. But what would you have done?

·     Would you have stood up and defended Jesus?

·     Would you have thought Peter was a coward?

·     Would you have just blended into the crowd and hoped no one recognized you?

The truth is none of us know exactly what we would have done in this situation.

None of us could answer this question with 100% certainty.

 Yet, when the other disciples ran away and hid; when Peter blended into the crowd and denied the Lord there was one lady named Mary Magdalene who followed Jesus all the way to the cross – why?

Let’s look at Luke 8:1-2 where we are given a little insight into this woman.

1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out (Luke 8:1-2)

When we come to Luke 8 and Jesus is going from “one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.”

 That’s pretty self-explanatory…but then it gets interesting when we see who is traveling with Jesus.

The end of verse 1 tells us The Twelve were with him. The twelve would be the disciples who had left all to follow Jesus.

Then verse 2 says, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out.

·     Some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases were willing to follow after Jesus.

o    We are not told the names of all 7 but only Jesus had healed them and they had been delivered of evil spirits.

·     Then we are told one of these women following Jesus is named Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out.

WOW! Can you imagine what sin this Mary called Magdalene must have been involved in?

 She had opened herself up to influences of the devil until seven demons had possessed her.

 Many try to say this Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. Some say she was the same woman who had earlier washed and anointed the feet of Jesus (Luke 7). The scriptures however do not make this connection.

There are only a few things we know for sure about this lady named Mary of Magdalene…

      She had been miraculously delivered from demonic possession.

·     She had surrendered her life and her goods to follow after Jesus and financially support His ministry.

·     She was at the cross when Jesus was crucified.

·     She was the first one to discover the empty tomb.

Why is this lady mentioned and given such a prominent place in the life of Jesus?

Why would she surrender all her life to minister to the needs of Jesus and His disciples?

 Why would she follow Jesus all the way to the cross and watch as He bled and died? Why do we find her NEAR THE CROSS?

Mary Magdalene understood the power of redemption.

She had been delivered and she had been forgiven! She had been set free from the bondage of demonic oppression.

 Her life had gone from terrible darkness to amazing light. She had been given the opportunity to walk in abundant life instead a life oppressed by the Devil. 

Mary Magdalene understood that she had been lost but now Jesus had rescued her.

When Mary Magdalene stood, looking up to the Cross-, and watched as her savior – her redeemer - was pierced, spit upon and laughed at; she finally understood the true cost of her deliverance.

 She was witnessing the price that had to be paid to buy her back from the grip of Satan. To Mary Magdalene the Cross-was a place of redemption.

Listen to the words of Isaiah as he prophesied about the death of Jesus Christ…(read it Isaiah 53:3-6)

Look at the price Jesus paid for us so that we could be bought back from the Devil. The price He paid so we could be delivered – so we could be healed!

He was despised and rejected…

·     He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…

·     He was pierced for our transgressions…

·     He was crushed for our iniquities…

·     He was punished so we could have peace…

·     His wounds paid the price for healing…

·     He took upon Himself the iniquity of all mankind who has turned away from God and done their own thing…

We have all sinned! We have all fallen short! All of us are like Mary Magdalene…we are sinners in need of a touch from Jesus.

What about you? Do you believe you need Jesus today? I have heard many reasons for not surrendering

·     I do not require a savior, as I am not lost.

·     I do not require a lord. I already have a government to pay taxes to and tell me how to live my life…

What about you? What’s your excuse for not surrendering your life to Jesus Christ? Well, let me give you some reasons you might want to serve Him…

·     Peace

·     Joy

·     Strength

·     Grace

·     A family in the church

·     …and more

Think about Mary Magdalene this morning.

Think about the miracle Jesus did in her life. You may say, “Well, I don’t have 7 demons like her! I am a good person!”

 Can I ask you a question? What is good enough to get to heaven? Who sets the standards for “good?”

 None of us will ever be good enough that is why we need a savior – the same savior that Mary Magdalene needed.