Triumphal Entry

Great Expectation!
The Agony of the Cross
Agony of the Cross

“The most mysterious utterance

that ever ascended from earth
to heaven.”

John Murray
Agony of the Cross

“The death of Christ on the

cross… was at the same time
a cursed and blessed death.”

A. Alexander
Agony of the Cross

In what ways did Jesus suffer?

Agony of the Cross

• Socially
Agony of the Cross

“When Jesus had thus said, he was

troubled in spirit, and testified,
and said, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, that one of you shall betray
me.”

John 13:21
Agony of the Cross

• Socially
• Psychologically (mentally)
Mental anguish!

• Illegal trial
• The mocking
• Crucified between two thieves
Agony of the Cross

• Socially
• Psychologically
• Physically
Physical agony

“Then, as the flogging continued,

the lacerations would tear into the
underlying skeletal muscles and
produce quivering ribbons of
bleeding flesh.”
“On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ,” The Journal of the
American Medical Association. March 21, 1986, Volume
256.
Physical agony

“The stimulated nerve would

produce excruciating bolts of
fiery pain in both arms.”
Agony of the Cross

• Socially
• Psychologically
• Physically
• Spiritually
Spiritual agony

“Behold, I have taken out of thine

hand the cup of trembling, even
the dregs of the cup of my fury;
thou shalt no more drink it
again.”

Isaiah 51:22
Two shortsighted views

• The cross was meant to

induce sympathy.
• The cross shows us how
much God loves us.
Agony of the Cross

What does the Cross reveal?

Agony of the Cross

• The evil of sin

Agony of the Cross

• The evil of sin

• The love of God
Agony of the Cross

• The evil of sin

• The love of God
• Salvation is by grace alone
Agony of the Cross

• The evil of sin

• The love of God
• Salvation is by grace alone
• How we can be saved
Agony of the Cross

“But God commendeth his love

toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.”

Romans 5:8
A New Beginning