THE APATHY AT CALVARY
Matthew 27:33-37

Introduction:     There were so many reactions that day around the cross. Of all the reactions there that day the most appalling to me is not the attitude of hostility; it is not the attitude of vengeance, bitterness, or haltered. It is the attitude of apathy (v.36). This verse describes the attitude of the soldiers charged to keep the peace there that day. (expound; see Luke 23:35   "And the people stood beholding…"). This attitude of apathy (I’m not against Him or for Him; I’m neutral) is the most popular sin of the day! There are three kinds of apathy exposed here at the cross. Notice the apathy of:

I.          A DISTRACTED MIND (V.35)
These men are mentally numb. (Expound what they saw…and heard). Messages from the cross.

A.                 A Word Of Grace – “Father forgive them…” (Lk.23:34)

B.                 A Word Of Assurance – “…today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk.23:43)

C.                 A Word Of Desolation – “My God, my God, why have thou forsaken me…” (Mat. 27:46)

These men were distracted by a game (expound … hurry up! We have a game to play)! They had lost the horror of Calvary because of a cheap familiarity. These men were mentally and morally neutral (and you cannot remain neutral). Many do not see the value of the cross. Many are not fascinated with the cross, but are fascinated with other things!!! God help us to never have a cheap familiarity with the things of Holy God!

II.                 II.         A DULLED CONSCIENCE  (VV.15-24)
Before Jesus was nailed to the cross Pilate found no fault in Him. Steps taken to back-talk his conscience. It begins with:

A.                 Conviction  (v.19)

This was his moment to cry out to God and be saved, but instead …

B.                 Compromise (v.21)

Believes with his head, but not with his heart. There is no bargaining with Holy God! He now moves to.

C.                 Collusion (v.24)

Your conscience can be seared. He says, “I’m not getting involved with this. I’m neutral. I’m not making a commitment…I’m going to set on the fence (pew). Let the invitation hymn play…I’m not going to surrender or make any decision. But you have! Pilate dulled his conscience…died and went to hell! How the Spirit deals… (Ills. I’m going back while I can still hear the bells!)

III.               III.       A DECEIVED HEART  (26:63; 27:40)
This sums up the whole problem. They had two problems:

A.                 They Did Not Know Who He Was

B.         They Did Not Know What He Was Doing