Podcast Summary: CROSS TO COMMISSION | The King Crucified | Matthew 27:32-44 | Philip Anthony Mitchell

Podcast: 2819 Church
Episode Date: February 23, 2026
Speaker: Lead Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell (with contributions from Assistant and Teaching Pastors)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 27:32-44

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a passionate, scripture-driven exploration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 27:32–44. Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell concludes a three-year journey through Matthew, inviting both believers and seekers to a renewed understanding and personal response to the cross. The teaching underscores humanity’s universal problem of sin, the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ, and the only fitting responses for both Christians and non-believers.

Key Themes:

• The reality and consequences of original sin
• The necessity of Christ’s sacrifice
• The fulfillment of biblical prophecy
• The call to radical discipleship and forgiveness
• The universality of the cross's implications

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Deep Problem of Sin (07:31–11:40)

• Original Sin's Devastation:
  "My mind first weeps over the original sin of man and its implication for all humankind." – Lead Pastor (07:31)
  Every human, regardless of background, is infected by the same spiritual disease: sin.

• Scriptural Support:
  Romans 5:12 and 3:23 cited to show:
  "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." – Teaching Pastor (11:07)

• Universal Need for Grace:
  "No human being can earn righteousness from God in their own merit or strength." – Teaching Pastor (12:17)

Illustration: The Drowning Boy (13:07–14:41)

• Personal Story of Rescue:
  Pastor Philip shares his childhood experience almost drowning, illustrating humanity’s helplessness before sin and Christ’s saving intervention.
  "This is what we approach in our text. It is the apex of the redemption plan of God—the Lord reaching his hand down into humanity to pull lost people from the bottom of the pool." – Teaching Pastor (14:41)

The Sacrificial System Foreshadowing Christ (15:26–16:30)

• Necessity of Blood for Atonement:
  Old Testament animal sacrifices were only an imperfect preview of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

• The Incarnation's Purpose:
  "And the purpose of that body was for the Father to break it, that he could reach down into your life and mine and raise us from the bottom of that pool." – Lead Pastor (16:22)

The Suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus (17:31–22:39)

• The Events Leading to the Cross:
  Jesus undergoes unjust trials, savage beatings, public humiliation, and ultimate crucifixion, not as a victim, but as the willing savior.

• Simon of Cyrene:
  "He was forced to help Jesus...carry his cross." (22:14)
  Illustration of communal support and discipleship.

• Discipleship Application:
  "Nobody's going to carry their cross all the way to the end by themselves. This is a beautiful picture of what we do in biblical community." – Teaching Pastor (22:41)

Fulfillment of Prophecy (26:35–29:32)

• Casting Lots for Jesus’ Garments:
  Soldiers unknowingly fulfill Psalm 22:18.
  "Even unsaved barbarians are fulfilling biblical prophecy as they're fighting over the clothes of Jesus." – Teaching Pastor (27:40)
  Emphasis on the unique reliability of scripture.

• The Unchanging Word of God:
  "No prophecies like that in the Quran...only in the inerrant, infallible, immutable, alive, active and breathing word of the living God Almighty." – Teaching Pastor (29:06)

The Mocking and Irony at the Cross (31:50–34:24)

• Public Shame and Rejection:
  Onlookers, religious leaders, and even the thieves mock Jesus.
  "If you are the Son of God, come down from that cross..." – Lead Pastor (31:50)

• Christ's Restraint Was Love:
  "Nails did not keep Christ fixed to the cross. Love kept Christ fixed to the cross." – Assistant Pastor (33:26)

The Thief’s Repentance—A Picture of Grace (34:43–35:47)

• The Thief’s Salvation:
  As one thief mocks, the other recognizes Jesus’s innocence and kingship; he receives the promise of paradise through simple, sincere repentance.
  "'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' A simple prayer of honesty and humility." – Teaching Pastor (34:43)

• Substitutionary Atonement:
  Barabbas, a condemned criminal, goes free as Jesus takes his place—a vivid picture of what Christ does for all who believe.
  "The Lord dies in his place. A perfect picture of the substitutionary death." – Assistant Pastor (34:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Universal Sin:
  "We all can testify that humanity, despite our distinctions, we all have been infected by a common disease...Sin is the bane of all human experience." – Teaching Pastor (08:08)

• On the Sufficiency of Christ:
  "But the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ." – Lead Pastor (11:40)

• On Community:
  "Life will create circumstances for you that demand you saying, brother, pray for me, sister, pray for me...Nobody in this room is going to carry their cross all the way to the finish line alone." – Lead Pastor (23:23)

• On God’s Faithfulness:
  "God cannot lie. If he said it, he will bring it to pass." – Teaching Pastor (29:14)

• On the Cross’s Demands:
  "How in God's name can we read about the sacrifice of what Christ did for you and I... and have no desire to live for him, no desire to be faithful to him?" – Lead Pastor (36:07)

• On True Response:
  "Our response to the cross should be a life of service, a life of surrender, a life of love, a life of humility, a life of generosity, a life of gratitude." – Teaching Pastor (36:56)

• On Forgiveness:
  "It is the cross that compels me to forgive. It's the cross that compels me to love even people who are unlovable. It's the cross that compels me to let people go who have been holding in my heart for years." – Lead Pastor (37:56)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Sin and Original Sin – (07:31–11:40)
• The Drowning Illustration – (13:07–14:41)
• Sacrifice and Foreshadowing in the Old Testament – (15:26–16:30)
• Events of the Crucifixion – (17:31–22:39)
• Fulfillment of Prophecy – (26:35–29:32)
• Mocking at the Cross – (31:50–34:24)
• Salvation of the Thief – (34:43–35:47)
• Response to the Cross (Application for Believers and Seekers) – (36:07–41:42)
• Closing Exhortations and Prayer – (41:42–44:21)

Final Exhortation

• For Believers:
  Let the memory and message of the cross stir you to deeper love, service, forgiveness, and radical discipleship. No response but surrender is fitting.

• For Seekers:
  "If you would just be honest like that thief on the cross and cry out, 'Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom,' he might hear you today and...pull you out from the bottom of that pool..." – Teaching Pastor (39:34)

Tone

Throughout, the tone is urgent, raw, passionate, and challenging—with a mixture of gravity, encouragement, and pastoral care typical of a high-energy expository sermon.

In summary: This episode confronts listeners with both the reality of sin and the overwhelming grace of the cross, urging everyone—whether devoted or doubting—to respond honestly and wholeheartedly to Jesus’s sacrifice.