It must have been about eight in the morning when the crowd burst out of the gates of the city. Somewhere along that road, Christ stumbled and Simon was compelled to help carry His cross. Then about nine o'clock, they reached the hill called the Place of the Skull - Golgotha in Aramaic, Calvaria in Latin and in English, Calvary. It is to us the most sacred spot on earth. Christ was six hours on the cross, three in sunlight and three in darkness. The first three were busy hours. He spoke three times, each time revealing His greatness and His love. He spoke words of forgiveness to His executioners. He spoke salvation to the thief and love to His mother and John. In those hours the soldiers played dice, while the priests scoffed at Him. Women nearby were weeping. Crucifixion did not bring about a quick death. It was possible for men to last several days in terrible agony and unbearable thirst. On this day the scene was suddenly blotted out right at noon and darkness lasted three hours. During this time Christ spoke again, this time on four occasions: One statement contains the most tragic words ever heard, "My God, where are you? Why have you left me?" We know the answer of course because God had turned His back - He was laying on Him the sin of us all and God could not look on sin. Then later He said those grand words which mean so much to us, "It is finished." What did He mean? The whole plan of salvation worked out in eternity was completed. The work God gave Him to do was done. The cup the Father gave Him to drink had been drunk. He could go home to the Father with everything finalised. Then and only then, could He say, "Father into your hands I commit my spirit." He literally gave up His own life in simple yet wonderful faith that the Father would not leave Him in the place of death but would bring Him back to life again. We know the rest of the story - then came Sunday! Thank God for the love which drew salvation's plan. |
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