At the foot of the Cross

“At the foot of the Cross” - written by Leigh Riches.
© 2006 Oakden Baptist Church.

[ on screen is a slow pan down an image of the cross stopping on Jesus feet and the base of the cross with ground below. As this is happening speaker 1 and speaker 2 have made their way to their mic’s on the stage either side of the screen. They are dressed in black and speak in a meaningful, clear and describing way - to the audience rather than to each other. The Stage is dark except for a spot on the 2 speakers ]


Speaker 1: It’s just after 3 ‘o’ clock on Friday. Jesus, along with two criminals have each been nailed to a cross for about 6 hours now, and we see Him slowly lift His head one last time. He gasps for air and then calls out “It is FINISHED...... Father, into Your hands I commit my very life”. And then Jesus dies.

Speaker 2: Darkness has covered the land for over three hours. Back in the town the thick temple curtain was suddenly torn in two - from top to bottom. Suddenly the earth all around shakes violently. The onlookers begin to scatter for safety leaving an eerie silence in the place of a noisy crowd. And here is where we find ourselves - 3 ‘o’ clock on Friday, at the foot of the Cross.

Speaker 1: What has happened here - What has taken place today? As we look toward the foot of the cross what do we see? Perhaps there is a tattered robe lying close by. Now the prize of a Roman soldier, the robe is still soaked with the blood of Jesus. Just a few hours ago a royal robe had been mockingly placed upon Jesus’ back. The soldiers had dressed Jesus up as a King - complete with a crown of thorns. Much to the enjoyment of the crowd Jesus was paraded through the streets wearing the red robe, until it was finally ripped from His back and replaced with His old clothes - which were now torn and blood stained - and lying....at the foot of the cross.

Speaker 2: As we look again, we see an old hammer and some roughly hewn nails, now discarded at the foot of the cross. Nails like those that had punctured the hands and feet of the Son of God. Nails hammered in by men who said that we don’t want You Jesus. We’ve nailed You to this cross, and we don’t want You to come down. But these nails weren’t holding Jesus to the Cross. It was because of His love for us that Jesus allowed Himself to be nailed. And it was His love for us that kept Him there.
So there He hangs, while we look on.... at the foot of the cross.

Speaker 1: Perhaps now we catch a glimpse of a Roman guard, standing.... at the foot of the cross. Jesus’ friends, His disciples are nowhere to be seen. Each of them has now deserted Him, and some have even denied they knew Him. The Roman guard, although frightened by the darkness and earthquake has remained at his post. But as he considers the recent events - the mocking, the beating, the thorns, the nails, the words of Jesus and the earth now shaking around him, a terrible realisation comes across his face. Surely this man was who He said He was - The Son of God! And with that he drops to his knees and worships.... at the foot of the cross.

Speaker 2: Glance down at the ground now and see the blood - The blood of Jesus.... at the foot of the cross. Flowing from His wounds and falling to the ground below are pools of red blood. Blood that shows us that God had become man. The spotless lamb chosen to shed it’s blood at the passover has been replaced by the perfect lamb of God - Jesus Christ. His blood has paid the price for the forgiveness of sin - once and for all. Completely. The transaction has taken place and is sealed with Jesus blood, flowing.... at the foot of the Cross.



Speaker 1: The robe, the nails, the blood - we see them all, but look closer now and you’ll see something else. It’s not visible to the human eye, but it’s there... at the foot of the cross. It’s sin. It’s your sin and my sin and it’s been nailed to the cross today.
This is what Jesus had come to earth to accomplish - to take upon Himself the sin of the world. The perfect Son of God in exchange for the filthy sins of mankind.

Speaker 2: Do you see your sin? Are you overwhelmed? Overwhelmed that the Son of God would take your sin upon Himself and die in your place. Don’t look away just yet. Focus on that cross and remember how it looks. If you’ve trusted in Jesus and asked for forgiveness, then this is your past. This is where your sins are. Forever. You’ve been saved from that sin, and now you’ve been made clean.

Speaker 1: If you haven’t trusted in Jesus then it’s not too late. This was God’s purpose. This was God’s plan to save you, and it happened at 3 ‘o’ clock on a Friday afternoon. Jesus died and then He rose again, and sin was defeated. Jesus stands with open arms, waiting for you to trust Him and ask Him for forgiveness. And this is where you find yourself today.... at the foot of the cross.




Suggested Chorus “At the Cross”
“At the Cross, I'll find the way. To live the life your hand has made. So find me there, Lord. and help me stay in true surrender with you my Saviour ...”