Death of Death: The King Who Forgives and Absorbs Our Sin - Eric Geiger

Devotional

Day 1: The Humiliation of the Cross Reveals Our Shame

The cross was a brutal instrument of humiliation, designed by the Romans to inflict maximum pain and public shame. Jesus endured this willingly, being stripped naked and exposed before the world. This act powerfully echoes the shame of Adam in the garden, who tried to cover his own nakedness after sinning. In His humiliation, Jesus was absorbing the full weight of our shame and sin, taking it upon Himself. What was meant to degrade Him was actually the beginning of our redemption. [25:31]

And they said to one another, “Behold, here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. (Genesis 37:19-23 ESV)

Reflection: When have you recently tried to cover up a mistake or a failure, attempting to hide your own "nakedness" from God and others? What would it look like to bring that specific area of shame to Jesus, trusting that He has already borne it for you?

Day 2: What Appears as Loss Is Actually Victory

From a human perspective, the crucifixion looked like a catastrophic defeat. Jesus was mocked, rejected, and seemingly overpowered by His enemies. Yet, God was orchestrating these events to accomplish the greatest victory in history. Jesus was not losing but winning; He was not being conquered but was conquering sin and death for us. His submission to the cross was the ultimate act of triumph, securing salvation for all who would believe. [27:15]

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life right now that feels like a loss or a failure? How might God be inviting you to trust that He is working, even in this, for a victory you cannot yet see?

Day 3: The King Who Wins by Giving Himself Away

The sign placed above Jesus, "King of the Jews," was intended as a cruel mockery. The rulers of the day believed a true king would wield power to save himself. Instead, Jesus demonstrated that His kingship is defined by self-sacrificial love. By giving His life, He did not forfeit His throne but established it, becoming the King over every tribe, tongue, and nation for all eternity. [30:05]

And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” (Matthew 27:37 ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to use power or influence for your own benefit, rather than for serving and blessing others? How can you reflect the self-giving love of your King in a specific relationship this week?

Day 4: Our Only Basis for Entry Is the Middle Cross

The criminal who turned to Jesus had nothing to offer—no good deeds, no religious accomplishments, no theological knowledge. His only hope was the promise of the man on the middle cross. His story reminds us that entry into God's kingdom is never earned; it is only ever received as a gift. Our pardon is found solely in the finished work of Christ. [41:08]

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you sometimes feel you must "clean yourself up" or achieve a certain level of goodness before you can approach God? What would it mean to rest today in the truth that your acceptance is based entirely on what Jesus has done?

Day 5: To Find Your Life, You Must First Lose It

To become a follower of Jesus requires a surrender—a willing loss of control over your own life. This feels like a sacrifice, a giving up of things we believe will make us happy. Yet, in this surrender, we discover that what we gain is infinitely greater: Jesus Himself. In losing our lives for His sake, we find true, everlasting life that begins now. [46:17]

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing—a dream, a relationship, a habit, or a comfort—that Jesus might be asking you to release in order to follow Him more fully? What is holding you back from trusting Him with it?

Sermon Summary

The narrative focuses on the events of Friday—the crucifixion—and highlights the brutal, public humiliation that crucifixion intended. The cross functioned as Rome’s instrument of shaming: scourging, pierced limbs, exposed nakedness, and public mockery. Those details link back to Eden’s shame, portraying Jesus as bearing the nakedness and shame that began with Adam and Eve. The account insists that what looked like defeat was purposeful surrender; Jesus willingly carried sin and shame to secure a decisive victory.

Attention centers on how apparent loss became redemptive gain. By taking the sin of humanity onto his body, Jesus turns humiliation into substitutionary victory: the shame and condemnation meant for others become absorbed in him, and his righteousness becomes the gift of those who believe. The crucifixion therefore accomplishes both pardon—full payment for sin—and provision—ongoing care and presence for those restored to God.

The narrative also outlines three human responses witnessed at the cross: ridicule, rejection, and reception. Ridicule appears in mockery and scorn toward the crucified King; rejection shows in stubborn refusal even when salvation stands nearby; reception shows in the penitent thief’s confession and plea—an immediate entrance into paradise by grace alone. This contrast underscores that salvation depends not on merit but on recognizing need and turning to the crucified King.

Finally, the teaching frames discipleship as a paradox of loss and gain. Surrendering control and earthly hopes counts as “losing,” but that loss leads to true life—present and eternal—with Christ. The crucifixion becomes both the death of death and the inauguration of a people drawn from every tribe, tongue, and nation. The invitation concludes with a clear call to trust: those who acknowledge sin and ask for mercy receive forgiveness, belonging, and the promise of everlasting life.

Key Takeaways

1. The cross reveals deep humiliation The crucifixion exemplified maximum human disgrace—scourging, nakedness, public spectacle—so the full weight of shame and rejection could be placed on one who was without sin. That intentional exposure connects back to Eden’s shame and shows the cost of redemption: God entered the very place of our disgrace to remove it. This humiliation proves voluntary and redemptive because it became the means by which sinners receive pardon. [20:28]
2. Apparent loss becomes true victory What looked like defeat functioned as divine strategy: submitting to death enabled the conquering of sin and death itself. Voluntary surrender on the cross reframes loss as the instrument of rescue, accomplishing what no human effort could—reconciliation with God. This victory transforms how believers interpret suffering and submission in their own lives. [27:15]
3. Sin and shame placed on Christ Jesus assumed the guilt and nakedness of humanity so that those who trust him stand clothed in his righteousness. Substitution means that guilt is removed entirely from the repentant and credited to the One who bore it; forgiveness is not partial but definitive. This truth frees conscience and anchors identity in grace rather than performance. [28:19]
4. Three responses: ridicule, reject, receive Human responses at the cross reveal spiritual posture: mockery, hardened refusal, or humble trust. The penitent thief models instantaneous faith—acknowledging sin, recognizing Jesus’ innocence, and asking for mercy—receiving paradise without works. The cross therefore divides not by religious activity but by where the heart places its hope. [32:07]
5. Lose to gain—surrender for life Following Christ requires relinquishing control, pleasures, and pretenses; that loss becomes the path to real gain. Surrender does not mean emptiness but entrance into a new identity and presence: pardon, provision, and eternal life begin now. The paradox calls for courage to surrender what seems valuable for what endures. [45:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:28] - Emphasis on the humiliation of the cross
[21:21] - How crucifixion killed slowly
[22:39] - Scourging and carrying the cross
[24:23] - Mockery, the inscription, and stripping
[26:16] - Eden’s shame and Jesus’ substitution
[27:43] - Loss that becomes victory
[32:07] - Three responses at the cross
[38:21] - The penitent thief’s pardon
[45:17] - Lose to gain: invitation to follow
[53:53] - Final blessing and sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
Luke 23:32–43 (ESV)
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation questions

What specific actions and words from the people at the cross demonstrated ridicule and mockery toward Jesus?
How did the two criminals respond differently to Jesus while they were all being crucified?
What did the criminal who believed ask Jesus to do for him?
What immediate promise did Jesus give in response to the request of the believing criminal? [38:21]

Interpretation questions

Why did Jesus, who was innocent, willingly submit to such a humiliating and painful death? [27:15]
How does the crucifixion scene reveal both the depth of human sin and the extent of God’s love?
What does the contrasting response of the two criminals teach us about what it means to receive salvation?
In what way did Jesus’ death serve as a victory, even though it appeared to be a defeat? [29:39]

Application questions

Jesus bore our shame and sin on the cross so we could be clothed in His righteousness. How does remembering this truth help you when you feel guilt or shame? [28:19]
The criminal on the cross received salvation simply by asking in faith. What keeps people from turning to Jesus with that same humility and trust today?
Following Jesus means surrendering control and losing what the world values. What is one thing you sense Jesus inviting you to surrender in order to gain more of Him? [45:17]
Jesus’ death was both pardon for sin and promise of His presence. How have you experienced His provision and care in your daily life? [42:15]
The cross divides people by how they respond to Jesus. Which of the three responses—ridicule, rejection, or reception—best describes your current posture toward Him?
How can the truth that “losing your life” for Jesus means gaining real life encourage someone who is afraid to follow Him? [46:17]

Sermon Clips

26s

#BeholdYourMother

“Did you notice the tender moment as Jesus is being crucified that he sees his mother, Mary, and she's next to John, the only one of the disciples who hasn't run away? And Jesus looks at John and says, behold your mother. Behold her. Take care of her. Jesus gives pardon to a criminal and provision to his mother, and he gives both to us, those of us who believe in him. He gives us pardon for all of our sins, and he gives us provision for our lives.”

41s

#LoseToBecomeHis

“For Jesus to win you, he lost his life on the cross. He gave his life for you on the cross. For Jesus to win everlasting life for the sons and daughters of God, it appeared as if he was losing. For Jesus to win you, he lost. But for you, for you to become his, you have to lose too. For you to become his, you have to lose. Jesus to win you lost, but it really was victory. And for you to become his, you have to lose, but it really turns out to be victory.”

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Death of Death: The King Who Forgives and Absorbs Our Sin - Eric Geiger | Mariners Church