EXCHANGE AT THE PLACE OF THE SKULL
"33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, 34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. 35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Matthew 27:33-35
"And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull." Mark 15:22.
"And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left." Luke 23:33.
"17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center." John 19:17-18.
For three and a half year, the Lord Jesus went about doing good; teaching, healing and deliverance those possessed by unclean spirits. But when the time came for Him to be crucified, many turned against Him. Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tortured, publicly humiliated, stripped naked, condemned, nailed to the Cross and executed in the most cruel manner. Jesus was forced to carry His cross up to Golgotha. Yet He was innocent! Jesus knew no sin! A Lamb without weakness. On the Cross at the place of the skull Jesus died for our sin. But it wasn't the end! Luke 24:26. The empty tomb at the grave reminds us that Jesus triumphs over death.
SIGNIFICANCE OF GOLGOTHA:
The word Golgotha is Aramaic and it means, "the place of the skull." The Greek word for it is “kranion.” It is from where we get the English word “cranium” or “skull.” The Latin translation of Golgotha is “calvaria,” which translates in English as “Calvary.” So another word for Golgotha is Calvary. On the Cross at Calvary, Jesus was crucified for our redemption. Golgotha was a horrible place. Dying on a Cross was a painful death. Yet He surrendered Himself. The Lord Jesus was innocent of every accusation still He died for us at Calvary.
The reason why the place of Christ's Crucifixion is called Golgotha is unknown. But it has been suggested by some that it was the place of public execution and skulls were left lying around after people had been executed. But this does not seem likely when the Jewish practice of burial of the dead is considered. So that argument is not strong. It has also been hinted that the name 'place of the skull' was derived from the shape of the Golgotha. In the sense that it looked like a human skull. On this argument, there's no record of such in the Bible. There is also a contention over the location of Golgotha. There are two places in Jerusalem that are considered potential sites. One is the Garden Tomb, which was discovered in 1848, The other location is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which has been the traditional site of the crucifixion since the 1st and 2nd century. We may not be able to tell which is the right location but, one thing is sure, it was a place outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
Golgotha was at the intersection where two roads crossed! The Romans intentionally picked Golgotha as the place of the Lord Crucifixion so that all who passed by might see the shame and death of the 'King of the Jews.' Jesus was crucified on a cross between two thieves. He offered Himself as a Sacrifice at the crossroads of Golgotha. Golgotha was a place of death! But there, Jesus reconciled God to man and man to God. Calvary became a place of Sacrificial Love. And truly there is no greater Love than the one displayed on the Cross at Calvary when the Lord Jesus was bought for only thirty pieces of silver yet His worth is inestimable.
MYSTERY OF THE CROSS:
The Cross means several things to different people. To some it is an ornament. Some have it displayed on their doorsteps, others wear it around their neck. Yet the Cross is much more than a piece of accessory, jewelry, a work of art, a decoration, a label on the pulpit or a sign on a church building. The Cross is a mystery! It is a message! The Cross is a message from God to humanity. The message of the Cross is the truth about what happened on the Cross at Calvary. It is the greatest story ever told! It is even more than a story; the Cross is the power of God. The message of the Cross is the message of love, forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation and peace. Jesus’ suffering on the road to Golgotha, His death on the Cross and resurrection is the message of the Cross.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Sadly, the message of the Cross is still a strange teaching to those who have never experienced its life changing power. They don’t understand the mystery nor accept it. But for the believers in Christ, the power behind the Cross is limitless and boundless. The Cross is the power and the wisdom of God! It is the doorway to Christ' resurrection. The Cross is a symbol of Love! "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8. The consequence of sin is death. Romans 6:23. But Jesus died for our sins. He paid the ultimate price! Romans 5:8. Through His death and resurrection He removed the hindrance and made a way for us to stand righteous before God. At the Cross, the Rose of Sharon was trampled on the ground. Like a Lamb to the slaughter, He was crucified to pay for our sins: past, present, and future. On the Cross, there was a divine exchange. Jesus conquered death and removed its sting. The Cross is the means by which God delivers us from the penalty of sins and from the hand of Satan. On the Cross Jesus made an atonement for our sin. Jesus sacrificed His life by dying a painful death on the Cross to redeem us.
Figuratively, the Cross was an instrument of sacrifice. It was a symbol of shame, suffering, humiliation and death. The Cross represented sorrow, pain, and death. It was a place of defeat. On the cross at Calvary, Jesus cried, “Tetelestai” which means: it is finished! The Cross is a place of perfection. It is a place of love, power, and redemption. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor.15:57
WHAT THE CROSS REPRESENTS TODAY:
1. The Cross gives us an opportunity to have a personal relationship with God.
John 14:6. When Jesus died on the Cross, He made it possible for us to know God personally in a marvelous relationship as Adam and Eve had before the Fall, and to experience God's love, peace and joy.
2. We have been forgiven of our sins. Forgiveness is a gift from God through Christ. Ephesians 1:7.
3. Sin has consequences! But the Cross of Jesus set us free.
4. The Cross gives us new life.
We are not only forgiven, but we have a whole new life through Jesus. We are changed, from the inside.
5. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is working in and through us today. Romans 8:11.
6. The Cross gives us victory over the enemy.
The power of Christ over our lives gives us a covering and protection from the enemy's evil schemes. Through Jesus, God has given us victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave. He'll causes you to triumph through every situation in life. 2 Corinthians 2:14. 1 Corinthians 15:57.
7. In Christ we have been given the gift of eternal life.
This earth is not our home; it is a temporary place. God is preparing a place for us, with Him, to live forever.
8. We are justified before God.
Romans 4:25. Justification is more than forgiveness; it is to be cleared of all blame and to be free from every charge. To justify is to declare righteous or to make one right with God. So justification is God declaring those who receive Christ to be righteous, based on the righteousness of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
9. The Cross gives us direct access to God the Father.
We can now boldly come into the presence of God the Father. Hebrews 4:16.
10. We can be led by the Holy Spirit. We can hear and know the voice of God. Romans 8:14.
11. We have peace that passes understanding. Philippians 4:6-7.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26.
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS:
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Mark 8:34. (Emphasis mine.)
Jesus willingly laid down His life and calls us to do the same by becoming His disciples. A disciple is a learner or a follower. Everyone is called to be a disciple and make disciples! Still many believers are looking for a life void of problems before they follow Jesus. Some have even placed conditions on their faith in God. But genuine followers of Jesus will continue to follow Him despite the challenges in their lives. We should not only follow Jesus because of the miracles we see or receive. Following Jesus requires an ongoing walk.
The first requirement of discipleship is self-denial. The word deny means to disown, to forfeit and to separate oneself. It is the word Jesus used to describe Peter’s denial. Matthew 26:34. A person who is not willing to deny himself cannot claim to be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus. It is impossible to be His true disciples if there is no sacrifice, devotion, and a willingness to let go of pride. Self-denial is to lay aside your agenda in other to seek Jesus first. The second requirement of discipleship is to take up your cross. Taking up your cross is dying daily to the flesh. This crucifixion is necessary! It’s a call to absolute surrender! Taking up your cross is living a life yielded to the Lord. When you take up your cross daily you give God first place in your life. Your priority will be to please God always and forsake the distractions and deceptions of this world. Taking up your cross daily is submitting your plans to God, and allowing Him to make changes to your plans. It is saying, 'O Lord, Thy will be done.' As you take up your cross daily you'll begin to experience Jesus resurrection power flowing in and through you. You'll begin to live in peace, blessing and joy of the Holy Spirit. The third requirement of discipleship is obedience. Biblical obedience to God is to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God and His Word. You cannot be a man or woman of obedience without being a person of faith. So, the question the Lord is asking you today, especially in this season, are you ready to be my disciple?
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10.
Up until the time of Jesus’ death, there was an order set in place where sacrifices had to be offered for sins. It was so complicated and difficult. Regular sacrifices were required for all types of sin. Sin is costly! It separates us from God. Sin is a barrier; it leads to further drifting away from what is right, and often leads to despair. And the wages of sin is death! Hence sacrifices was the only way people could be forgiven of their sins! It was the only way to be made right with God again. The burden of sin was too much for us to pay! This brought about the coming of the Lord Jesus to save us from the consequences of our sin. He came to this world more than 2000 years ago to rescue us from Satan and to give us abundant life. The Lord Jesus tasted the guilt and shame of our sins, even though He himself was without sin. He became the final sacrifice for our sins. No other payment is needed. He completed the work at Calvary. Jesus paid the sacrifice in full on our behalf. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. This gift is given unconditionally and sacrificially. We are saved by the grace of God! Salvation may have been given to us as a free gift, but it was purchased with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation yet? If not, won’t you accept it today? If He is knocking on the door of your heart, don't shut Him out.
If you want to begin a relationship with God, simply say this prayer from your heart: “Lord God, I come to You today. I know I’m a sinner and I cannot save myself. I acknowledge that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the Cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to Him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I’m saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God. You're welcome into the family of God! Commit yourself to Him daily. Keep praying. Join a ministry group. Dig deeper into the Word of God. Have unconditional faith in God. Be ready to confront your sins. Know that the world will not always accept you. Love unconditional. Steer clear of of temptation that you can avoid. If you are tempted, ask God for help. Fix your thoughts on Jesus. Forget what is behind. Press on to glory!
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Dear Lord, thank You for dying for my sins. Thank You for Your forgiveness.
2. Father, thank You that you loved us so much that You sent Your Son to die on a painful Cross.
3. O Lord, I choose to follow You today, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, I desire to follow you! I commit myself to daily taking up my cross, in Jesus name.
5. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayers.
