Sermon Central
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The Place Which Is Called Calvary
Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Mar 6, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Calvary the place of: 1 Guilt, 2. Compassion, 3. Ridicule, 4. Testimony, 5. Salvation, 6. Miracles, 7. Death
- Here’s a pop quiz. Think fast. What date does Christmas fall on every year? Valentine’s Day? St. Patrick’s Day? Halloween? What about Easter?
- Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred around the time of the Jewish Passover, which was celebrated on the first full moon following the vernal equinox.
- Vrnal - from Latin "Spring" (Related Words – New, Fresh
- Equinox - from 2 Latin words "equal night"
- Easter observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox
- We hear about Ash Wed supposed to begin 40 days before
Easter (not counting Sundays)
- Ash Wednesday or Lent are mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic churches
- The Bible never mentions Ash Wednesday or Lent.
- Jesus warned us against making a show of our fasting:
Matthew 6:16–18 (AV)
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
- Easter Sunday April 20
- The name Easter has pagan roots from the godess Eostre
"Spring" Fertility
- Wiccans for instance celebrate the Spring Equinox as one of their 8 yearly Sabbats or holy days
- As with Sunday "Sol," the Roman God of the Sun
- Jerome around 400 commented: "If it is called the day of the sun by the pagans, we willingly accept this name, for on this day the Light of the world arose, on this day the Sun of Justice shone forth.
- Calvary only found once in scripture – Lk 23:33
- Hebrew “Golgotha” Mt. 27:33, Mk 15;:22, Jn 19:17
- “Place of the Skull”
- Gk - κρανίον [kranion /kran·ee·on” a skull.
- Translates Skull or severed head
- Latin Calvaria, which is the Vulgate’s translation of the Greek Kranion, “skull.”
- Three possible reasons for such a name have been propounded:
- Because skulls were found there;
- Because it was a place of execution;
- Or because the site in some way resembled a skull
- It was just out side the city walls
- Calvary - The scene of the crucifixion
Calvary The Place Of:
1. Guilt.
- v. 32 "There were two malefactors with Him"
- Malefactor – Gk. “evil doer” – Modern translations (criminals)
- Christ was crucified between the thieves, as if He were the greater criminal.
- The passer-by counted the malefactors as one, two, three.
- Truly He was "numbered with the transgressors. Is 53:12
- Yes; “He bare the sins of many”
2. Compassion.
- v. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"
- The one who was abused
- What a revelation of the love and mercy of God, - He loved His enemies, and blessed them that cursed Him (Acts 7. 59).
3. Ridicule.
- vv. 35-37 "The rulers derided Him,.... the soldiers mocked Him"
- Deride – To Laugh
- The fact is that he did "save others"
- He could not "save Himself" because He came for the very purpose of giving Himself a ransom for many,
4. Testimony.
- v. 38 "In Greek, Latin, and Hebrew" these words were written over Him, THIS is THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Written for all the world to know
- These words were absolutely true
- They had crucified their King, the Messiah, the Son of the Highest.
- Calvary reveals the hatred of the human heart against God.
5. Salvation. – 39-43
- v. 43 "To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise"
- The thief - First to enter paradise through the blood of the Lamb.
- The sum of Christ's redemption work is found in these two little words, "WITH ME. "
6. Miracles.
- vv. 44, 45 "The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst"
- Here are symbols of the goodness and the severity of God at the cross
- Darkness declares His severity against sin
- The torn veil indicates a God-made way, through the sufferings of Christ, into His own presence (Heb. 10. 20).
7. Death.
- v. 46 "He gave up the ghost"
Philp 2:8 He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.
A DEATH that has brought salvation, life and immortality
- Bringing peace with God
