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I. THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST, AS ILLUSTRATING THE FEARFUL POSSIBILITIES OF THE HATRED OF MAN.

1. This is seen in the central act of this awful tragedy.

(1)  The most painful of all forms of punishment.

(2)  The most degrading. Not a Jewish, but heathen, punishment, and that on the worst of criminals.

2. This is shown in the scene.

(1)  The place (Hebrews 13:11-13).

(2)  The companionship.

(3)  The insulting taunts.

II. THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST, AS ILLUSTRATING HIS ALL-POWERFUL LOVE.

1. AS seen in the infinite contrast between Christ and His taunting murderers.

(1)  The nature of the contrast.

(2)  The elevation and matchlessness of the spirit of this conquest of love.

2. As seen in Christ's readiness and ability to save.

(1)  The contrast in the spirit of the two thieves.

(2)  The contrast in the eternal destiny of the thieves.

(3)  The condition on which their respective destiny hung.

III. THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST, AS ILLUSTRATED IN ITS BEARING ON THE MATERIAL DESTINY OF THIS GLOBE, AND ON THE PRESENT SALVATION OF MEN.

1. The illustration which the darkness furnishes in respect to the changes which this earth is to undergo.

(1)  The greatness of the change (2 Peter 3:8-12).

(2)  The purpose of the change (2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:19-22).

2. The illustration which the rending of the temple's veil furnishes in respect to present salvation (Hebrews 10:19, 20).Lessons:

1. The ignorance of sinners of the possibilities of the evil nature within them.

2. The ignorance of sinners of the real enormity of their sins.

3. The ignorance of sinners of what God is doing for them, even when they are hating Him.

(D. C. Hughes, M. A.)

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KJV: And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

WEB: When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.