Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0982A recorded on March 24, 1985 teaching from Isaiah 53:4 – The Attitude of Man as He Deals with Jesus.
Pastor Cyril A. Stevens explores the stark contrast between how Christians often idealize Jesus and the brutal reality of His crucifixion as described in Isaiah 53:4, where humanity “considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.” The core message centers on the “attitude of man as he deals with Jesus,” emphasizing that while Jesus is celebrated in beautiful scenes, His appearance on the cross was a gruesome and uninviting spectacle of suffering for humanity’s sin. Stevens details the grotesque “honors” Jesus received—a mocking “procession of honor” filled with jeers, a refusal of the anesthetizing “wine of honor” to fully experience death for mankind, a “guard of honor” of gambling soldiers, a “throne of honor” that was merely the blood-stained cross, and the sarcastic “title of honor” as King of the Jews. Ultimately, Pastor Stevens challenges listeners to consider this immense sacrifice and consecrate their lives to the Lord who suffered and died for their pardon.