THE NAILS OF THE CROSS

TEXT: John 20:19-29

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

24. Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

INTRODUCTION:

  1. We see and hear about the nails frequently, but they are only mentioned in our text.
  2. Nails were used to hold things together, and must have been crude and ugly; but there is something more important about these nails.
  1. THEY NAILED DOWN THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD:
  1. They show the complete ability and dependability of God.
  1. 2 Corinthians 1:20
  2. Romans 4:21
  3. Matthew 3:9
  4. Ephesians 3:20
  5. Philippians 3:21
  6. Hebrews 11:11
  7. Titus 1:2
  8. Hebrews 6:18
  1. Consider the difficulties: 4,000 years of time, a male of the right tribe & family, wars, famine, captivity, slavery, apostasy… then finally giving His own Son!
  1. Romans 8:32
  2. Galatians 4:4
  1. He will carry out all His promises. But also all His threats.
  1. John 3:16 verses 8:24
  2. Matthew 10:32-33
  3. Mark 16:16
  4. Revelation 2:10
  5. Hebrews 10:26-27
  6. Matthew 25:46
  1. So, the nails of the cross nailed down the fact that God will keep His promises, even if it costs Him His Son (John 3:16).
  1. THEY NAILED CLOSED THE DOOR OF JUDAISM:
  1. We are no longer under the Old Testament system: it was nailed to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14). In reality, when it existed, it was dependent upon the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:15).
  2. It served only as a schoolmaster, looking forward to the coming Seed; but having accomplished that it was cast out with its system of bondage, illustrated by Paul in (Galatians 3:16-25; 4:21-31).
  3. Nailed shut were the law’s requirements of priesthood, incense burning, sabbath keeping, and instrumental music. To try to return to that system is to fall from the grace of God (Galatians 5:4).
  1. THEY NAILED TOGETHER CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH:
  1. Attitudes concerning the church: not essential, join the church of your choice, saved then church membership optional etc. But the nails were driven to purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25).
  2. Some will forsake, resent, ignore, or divide (I would as soon sever my own arm from my body as to be guilty of dividing the Lord’s church).
  3. But Christ and His church are as much a unit as husband and wife, joined together by the nails of the cross (Ephesians 5:31-32).
  1. THEY NAILED TOGETHER THE BLOOD AND BAPTISM:
  1. it is only through the blood that we have redemption in Christ:
  1. Revelation 7:13-14
  2. 1 Peter 1:18-19
  3. 1 John 1:7
  1. The Bible is clear about the relationship between baptism and the blood.
  1. We are washed from our sins in His blood (Revelation 1:5), but we are washed from our sins in baptism.
  2. It is through the blood that we have remission of sins (Matthew 26:28), bit it is through baptism that we have remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
  3. It was in Christ’s death that His blood was shed (John 19:34); but we are baptized into His death (Romans 6:3-4).
  1. The nails of the cross have joined baptism and the blood; man cannot draw these nails out (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
  1. THEY NAILED CLOSED EVERY OTHER WAY:
  1. The hymn says "I must needs go home by the way of the cross, there is no other way but this." This is indeed true (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
  2. People say there are many ways to salvation, but with such a terrible price to open the door through Christ, do think a back door would serve just as well? (John 10:1; Matthew 26:39).
  1. THEY NAILED DOWN THE LOVE OF GOD:
  1. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8-9).
  2. Many things seems to hide the love of God as dark clouds hide the sun: sin, sickness, pain, unkindness, grief… but look at the nails!
  1. Consider Jesus’ cry for help in the garden: "If it be possible" (Matthew 26:29). Yet God made the choice of love!
  2. Consider the pitiful cry from the cross "My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me" (Matthew 26:39).
  3. Yet God made the choice of love!

 When the lightening flashes, even when shadows of death darken the valley, others may forsake us, but God will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5): this fact has   been nailed down by the nails of the Cross!

CONCLUSION:

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my Lord,

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!