Aplace Called Calvary Hill

A PLACE CALLED CALVARY HILL

by Rev. Timothy G. Porter

LUKE 23:33-47

INTRODUCTION:

There were many places that played a part in our Lord’s life here on earth. There was Bethlehem, Bethany, Nazareth and Jerusalem. There were the Judean hillsides and the shores of Galilee. There were the synagogues in the villages and the great temple at Jerusalem. Those places were important places in the life of Jesus, but they were merely steps along the way.

Every step Jesus took in His earthly life was leading Him to the place the Greeks called “Topos Kranion”; the Hebrews called it “Golgotha”; and the Romans called “Calvary”. It was known to all as “The Place of the Skull”. All through the Gospels, Jesus had said this was His destiny. The very morning of His death, He told Pilate that Calvary was the place He was going, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world…,” John 18:37

I would like for us to travel back to A Place Called Calvary Hill. As we do, I want to point out three facts about that place which make it a special place different from all others. Join me today as I preach about A Place Called Calvary Hill.

I.) IT WAS A PLACE OF UNBELIEVABLE TORMENT vs.33

vs. 33 – the phrase “where they crucified Him” condenses over 18 hours of suffering into four words. Here is what He suffered during those hours.

He had been arrested, tried and convicted in a mock trial. False witnesses had been called against Him and He had been abused by the Temple guards.

He had been taken to Pilate where He was abused by Pilate’s soldiers: Scourged (Ill.); Beaten – Spit upon – Beard pulled out – Crowned with thorns – Mocked – .

He was sentenced to die and suffered along the Via Dolorosa, The Way of Suffering – 650 yards long. He carried His cross, Ill. Patibulum, or cross bar – 110 pounds. Ill. Simon of Cyrene

He suffered at Calvary: He was nailed to the cross, Nails were 7” long and 3/8” in diameter. The nails through the median nerve would cause massive spasm to wrack His body.

He submitted Himself to the horrible death of the cross..... Illustration. Death by crucifixion!

Why?

1.) To demonstrate God’s love – Romans 5:8 (NKJV) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2.) To destroy sin – Hebrews 9:26 (NKJV) 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

3.) To defeat Satan- 1 John 3:8 (NKJV) 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

. Ill. Napoleon & red spot. He did it for you!

II.) IT WAS A PLACE OF UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY vs. 34-38

In every account of the death of Jesus in the Gospels, one little pronoun keeps appearing. It is the pronoun “they”. Just a quick glance at this text gives us a glimpse into the heart of the people.

1.) v. 18 – They chose Barabbas over Jesus;

2.) v. 21 – They cried for His death;

3.) v. 23 – They were determined to see Him dead;

4.) v. 25-26 – They lead Him away to His death;

5.) v. 35 – They even mocked Him as He died.

What did He do to deserve this treatment? All He had ever done was good. He had healed their sick; raised their dead; fed their hungry; and told them the truth. Yet, they rejected Him and demanded that He be put to death.

What makes this so tragic is the fact that Jesus was their Messiah. They had waited for Him, looked for Him and prayed for Him for 4,000 years and when He came they refused to bow to Him.... Ill. Everything they did pointed to Him!

As tragic is that is, it is just as tragic that people still reject Him today. He is the only hope of salvation. Yet, people still mock Him, curse Him and refuse Him. How could such love be refused? and - Why would anyone say “No”?

Friend, He loves you! Have you returned His love?.... Ill. How?

III.) IT WAS A PLACE OF UNEQUALED TRIUMPH vs. 39-47

Yet, all was not tragedy that day! Yes, Jesus suffered a more horrible death than we can even imagine. But, He also accomplished something of eternal importance.

It was a place of triumph for one of the thieves, .Luke 23:39-43 (NKJV) 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."