The message of the cross is the same yesterday, today, and forever…
It was a short distance from Pilate's Judgment Hall to Calvary. Yet, weakened and bloody from brutal beatings, Jesus fell beneath the weight of the cross He was forced to carry. Why did God permit Jesus to die on the cross? The Bible tells us that Jesus was delivered up to this death by the specific plan of God. Through the cross, forgiveness of sin can now be offered by God to everyone.
Taken from Matthew 27:35-56, Mark 15:24-41, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:18-30.
With one criminal at His left and another at His right, Jesus was crucified on a hill called Golgotha, or Calvary, which meant, "The Skull." Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
Beneath the cross the Roman soldiers divided Jesus' clothing into four parts, one part for each of them. But they decided to throw dice for His cloak, for it was seamless, and they did not want to tear it. This fulfilled the prophecy, "They divided My clothing and cast lots for My cloak."
Jesus was crucified about nine o'clock in the morning. Pilate had a sign nailed to His cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews," written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. The chief priests and rulers had argued with Pilate, "Don't call Him the king of the Jews! Say instead that He claimed to be the King of the Jews."
But Pilate responded, "What I have written, I have written!"
Some of the people near the cross shook their heads and ridiculed Jesus. "You thought You could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days! If You are God's Son, come down from the cross and save Yourself."
The chief priests and rulers also mocked Jesus. "He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. If He is the king of Israel, let Him come down from the cross and we will believe in Him. He trusted God; why doesn't God deliver Him? Did He not claim to be God's Son?"
One of the robbers who was crucified with Jesus joined in the mockery. "If You are the Son of God, save Yourself and us," he chided.
But the other robber rebuked the first. "Don't you, a condemned criminal, fear God? We deserve to die because of our crimes, but this Man does not, for He has done nothing wrong."
This man turned to Jesus and said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
Jesus replied, "I promise that you will be with Me today in paradise."
From noon until three o'clock that afternoon, darkness came across the entire land. About three o'clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which meant, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Some thought he called for Elijah to come to rescue Him.
Jesus recognized that the work he had come to do on the cross was almost finished, so He cried out, "I thirst!" Someone dipped a sponge in a vessel filled with vinegar, and put it on a reed to lift it to His mouth.
"Stop! Let's see first if Elijah comes to rescue Him," said some others.
When the vinegar was given to Jesus, He cried out with a loud voice, "It is finished! Father into Your hands I commit My spirit." When He said this, He died.
The veil of the temple, separating the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook, and rocks split. Tombs opened and many godly men and women arose from the dead.
When the centurion and his men, who had guarded Jesus, saw the earthquake and other amazing signs, they were frightened. "This Man certainly was the Son of God," they said.
Jesus' dead body was carried to a garden about a hundred yards from the execution grounds. There He was hastily laid in a tomb cut from rock. "Make the tomb secure!" The chief priests and Pharisees set a guard, and sealed the heavy stone that closed the entrance. Now no one could break in. But would Jesus break out? [ Yes! Jesus rose from the dead and the heavy stone was removed to open the tomb.]
After many appearances to His disciples, it was time for Jesus' final return to the Father. On a hill that would be known forever as the Mount of Ascension, before witnesses, Jesus rose up into the clouds. He left behind an empty tomb. He also left behind His promise to return.
(Taken from The Book of Life written by V. Gilbert Beers, Th.D., Ph.D.)
Many people are depending on their good works or religious affiliation to save them, but have never accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). "Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).
Begin to grow spiritually by reading and meditating on God's Word. Attend a Bible-believing church and determine in your heart to believe God' Word and His promises.
Father in Heaven, I confess that I'm a sinner. Forgive me and cleanse me of my sin. I want to receive Jesus. I want to become a son/ daughter of God. I give my life to you NOW. I receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead according to the scriptures. I believe that He died that I might have life.
I thank You, Father, according to Your Word…that I'm a new creature…that Jesus is my Lord.
Now, confess your new life in Christ to others. Welcome to the family of God.
