How do I end up “at the cross”? s28e158 Jn19:39

Nicodemus has one of the great redemptive stories in the Bible. He has 3 years to figure out what he believes about Jesus. When the crucifixion comes, he is ready. He's got 75# of spices ready for his burial. Why? because 3 years earlier Jesus told him that He MUST be "lifted up". 

If you are finding yourself at the "foot of the cross" take great comfort.  He also sends the Spirit to help you, especially in that hour. Perhaps you too will have one of the great redemptive stories of the Kingdom. 

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Transcript

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How do I end up “at the cross”? s28e158 Jn19:39

How did Nicodemus end up at the cross? 

Setting for the story is it is Good Friday. Didn’t call it good then. It is just at dusk and everybody wants to be done with the crucifixtion process before sundown, which starts the Jewish Sabbath. After Jesus said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.His side pierced, break the thieves legs so that they suffocate, asphyxiate on the crosses. Up til now, the heros at the cross have mostly been women. After Jesus dies, two men take the body. One of them is otherwise unknown to scripture. His name is Joseph of Aramathea. The other IS KNOWN TO scripture

He is NICODEMUS, and he has one of the great redemptive stories in the Bible.  It is a story that begins years ago, but today ends at the cross and the tomb.

Here is how Nicodemus’ story ENDs: Jn19:38 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlierhad come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

EARLIER Nicodemus was a “night disciple” but here he is boldly, unmistakably associating himself with Jesus. 

He does so at great cost. Joseph buys the linen cloth, the garden, and tomb Nic buys 75# of myrrh and aloes

         When did Nic buy

He does so at great risk Of Joseph of Ar. “took courage and went to Pilate”

         Everybody is in a capturing and killing mood.

How does it start 3 years prior in John ch.3? 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.HE HAD A LOT TO LOSE. HE KNEW A LOT. HE DIDN’T ENJOY THE APROVAL OF HIS CO-WORKERS 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” RABBI. TEACHER. RESPECT. I NOTICED THE MIRACLES. THEY REQUIRE A RESPONSE . I DON’T KNOW WHAT MY RESPONSE IS. GETTING MOR INFORMATION. 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Love this! Mentally stuck,shocked with the claims of Christ.But HELP is here

8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus, has a WIND assist as he considers this.

Everybody who comes to the Lord has a wind assist of the Spirit

Nicodemus says to Jesus: 

                  NO ONE CAN DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING UNLESS GOD IS WITH**

Jesus says to Nic:

                  NO ONE CAN DO WHAT u MUST DO UNLESS GOD IS WITH him**

Mind is blown but there is help: the Spirit blows to help

9How can these things be? 

Gives Nic the YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

Then in v. 16. Jn3:16 For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his only Son , that whover believes in him should not perish but hav eternal life. 

He gives Nic 2 pearls for all time.

Before 3:16, he gives this PROPHESY to NIC about THIS DAY at the cross: 14 SO MUST THE SON OF MAN be LIFTED UP, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

So yes, the lifted-up Jesus is the critical decision point for most people

The foot of the cross, thinking about Jesus being lifted up, ie crucified

 is full of people thinking about believing in Him

I love that John 3 does not tell us what happened right then

The cross tells us: he believes. He prepares? 75# of spices ready?

How about you?

Are you coming to Jesus “at night?”. Exploring? Questioning? Learning?

         Jesus welcomes those who come to him at night. Don’t stop there.

         Decide for Him. Associate your belief to Him. How?

         Meet him at the cross. You cannot stop the crucifixion.Join Him 

         But you CAN stop your old ways of thinking about Jesus.

Nic comes reverentially, on time, and at expense

         Don’t be surprised if what He asks of you is inconvenient of time, expensive of wallet, and asks you to move your heart from respect to reverence.

Final point: If God is asking you to consider being born again, be born again: know this: He is helping you. He is sending you a wind assist.

If you find yourself at the foot of the cross, He helped you to GET THERE, and He is helping you there.