My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour. — John Newton

The Cross Before the Crown

Now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die. John 12:31–33 (NIV)

He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13–15 (NIV)

Naked and Afraid

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7 (NIV)

It is one thing to know evil as God knows it, as Judge… but quite another thing to know it by plunging into it.  Innocence was replaced with participation. Charles H. Spurgeon

‣        The Fig Leaves: Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7 (NIV)

‣        The Hiding: ‘I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ Genesis 3:8–10 (NIV)

‣        The Shock: Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God. Genesis 3:8 (NIV)

The World Hasn’t Ended

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21–22 (NIV)

The father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Luke 15:22 (NIV)

He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)

The Curse and the Cross

Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil… It will produce thorns and thistles for you… By the sweat of your brow… until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. Genesis 3:17–19 (NIV)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole — is crucified.’ Galatians 3:13 (NIV)

‣        The Cursed Ground: The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.1 Corinthians 15:45 (NLT)

‣        The Crown of Thorns: They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand. Then they knelt in front of Him and mocked Him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. Matthew 27:28–29 (NIV)

‣        The Sweat of the Soul: Being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44 (NIV)

‣        The Dust of Death: He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 (NIV)

The Cross as Coronation

Glory: to recognise, honour, praise, invest with dignity, to give anyone by putting him into an honourable position.

Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified… When I am lifted up.’ John 12:23, 32 (NIV)

The Cross was not a detour on the way to the throne; it was the throne. In the very moment Jesus was mocked, crowned with thorns, and lifted up, He was being enthroned as the true King of the Jews and the Lord of the world. — N. T. Wright

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. … and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. John 19:19–20 (NIV)