Golgotha ~ by ReverendRV * May 2
John 19:17 (NASB) They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.
I watched a children’s Christian movie the other day, and near the end they showed Christ’s Crucifixion. They depicted this very well, with a view from the bottom of the mountain looking up at what looked like a skull in the hill. What a menacing scene this was. ~ Today, what do we think about when we think of the Cross? Many people might say it’s a symbol of Christianity, others might say Salvation; there could be any number of answers that people may give you. The reality of it is that it must have been terrifying. Especially the way they depicted it, Imagine being at the bottom of this mountain looking up at the Place of a Skull. Making the journey up this mountain beaten and bloodied, carrying your own Cross, knowing that they are going to hang you on it until you die. Jesus died a cruel, humiliating, and Excruciating death on a Cross…
Jesus lived a perfect life so he could become an acceptable Sacrifice for the Sin of the world. He became Sin on our behalf, and bore our punishment for us, He suffered greatly on our behalf. It made me question our process of Salvation; should we also go through some sort of suffering before we are Saved? As Christians, isn’t our Spiritual lives supposed to mirror Jesus? I have heard several Testimonies, some can be heart wrenching; bringing you to tears. Others might tell you they were Saved at a very young age, and have followed Jesus all their lives. I think there could be almost unlimited examples of how people came to Salvation. When Jesus was being Crucified, two Criminals were with him; one was on the left, the other was on the right. One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him saying, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of Condemnation? And we indeed are suffering Justly, for we’re receiving what we deserve; but this Man has done nothing wrong." He said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom!" Jesus said, "Truly, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." ~ One was Saved, but the other wasn’t. Will you die at his left hand; or at his right?
I’m not trying to say that if you haven’t came to know Christ though some sort of trauma, you can’t be Saved. But, I am saying your old self must pass away in order to be Born Again. ~ Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again’”. Saint Paul said, "I have been Crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by Faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” ~ Jesus Christ was Good enough to go to Heaven, but gave up his Life on a Cross to pay for your Sin. We’re Saved by Grace through Faith in the risen Jesus Christ, without our Works; all the while depending on his Works to satisfy God. Repent; and Confess Jesus Christ as LORD…
1 Corinthians 15:31 (NASB) I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.