They Way To Paradise

Journey with me if you will to the Spring of AD 29. The day started early. It was about half past six on Friday morning. The purple robe was ripped off Jesus’ badly beaten body and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. He was clothed again with his own blood-stained, garment and led to the execution. The procession reached Golgotha around 9.00 AM. The terrible preparations were being made. The hammer, the nails and the pieces of the cross lay around ready to be used to crucify an

innocent man - the King of Kings.

Crucifixion was invented to make death as painful and lingering as human endurance could withstand. Jesus was stripped again except for a piece of fabric that was left for human decency. He was made to lie down on the cross as the soldiers drove nails through his palms and feet. He probably screamed out loudly in pain as the giant nails tore through his flesh but in the same breath he said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

It was the same kind of prayer he taught his disciples and us to pray when people hurt us “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

The cross was then lifted up and dropped into the ground and tamped around to stay firm and upright. It could not have been very high off the ground. It was low enough for the soldiers to break the legs of those who did not die quickly enough. Hanging low, Jesus’ sacred lips were within reach of the moistened sponge and spear that pierced his side. It was a merciful Jewish practice by the women of the city to give to the crucified victims a shot or two of strong wine mixed with myrrh to deaden their consciousness and help them cope with the excruciating pain. Jesus was thirsty but having tasted the liquid, he would not drink it.

Jesus’ cross was placed between the two thieves who were crucified with Him. Only one more thing remained. The plaque with title had to be affixed to the cross. It was customary to place a plaque on the cross which in essence was a short summary of the reason for the crucifixion. Pilate stated the reason. It said, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The chief priests insisted do not write “The King of the Jews” but that he said, “I am King of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” Even though the title was meant to ridicule Jesus rather than to compliment him, the wisdom of men was foolishness before God and they could not change the fact that He was born a King, He died as a King and will come back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What about you my friends? Is he just the King of the Jews or is he the King and Savior of your life?

A lot of people walked past the cross that cruel afternoon and read the accusation on the plaque. They laughed, some spit and some cried out, “if he is the Christ, then let him save himself and come down from the cross.” The two thieves on either side of Jesus had comments too. The first thief said “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” All the thief wanted was to be saved from was the cross. He never thought beyond the things of this life. He was physically close to God but miles away in his heart. He was a man without any faith or religion. Most people in the world are like that. They seek to gain the world and in doing that lose their precious soul. They know of Jesus but do not know him as their personal Savior. Once in a while when they are up against the wall, they might call out for help. They call without expecting a miracle. They even place doubt on their requests when they say, Jesus, if you claim to be who you are, then prove yourself to me!

Dear ones, we must be careful and reverent when speaking with our creator. We are not even worthy to stand in his presence let alone cut deals with him. Sometimes we try to make him equal with us and sometimes even lower than us.

But the second thief had a completely different attitude. I wish we were all like him. He never asked to be delivered from the cross. He was willing to bear it and suffer. I believe we must be willing to bear our own cross and suffer as well if necessary. Instead of saying “if” you are God, he said “Lord” remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Jesus hadn’t accomplished his atoning work as yet; but with his resurrection, he was going to open the doors of the Kingdom to broken and messed up people like the thief and us.