Calvary

The location: A rocky hillside outside of Jerusalem.

The characters: Criminals, Roman soldiers, scoffers, mourners, Satan, Jesus.

The plot: Destroy God’s plan to save mankind.

The scene: Crowds of people gather to witness the death of criminals. Men who had gone against the law. Two against the laws of man. One against the laws of God. At least this is what the crowd believes.

Other occurrences: Darkness covers the land for three hours; an earthquake; rocks are split in two; tombs break open; the curtain of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom.

The truth: Mary, Jesus’ mother, knew for certain this was God’s Son. A few of Jesus’ followers stood nearby and believed that Jesus was God’s Son. Upon seeing all that had occurred, a Roman Centurion confesses, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Jesus commits His spirit to His Father.

Our truth: Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God. The One who took our sin that day and bore it so that we might have forgiveness of that sin. Without Calvary, we would not have hope, salvation, or eternal life.

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.”

(Isaiah 53:4-5)

If you’d like to read the whole account of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial, you can find it in the following passages.

• Matthew 27:32-61
• Mark 15:21-47
• Luke 23:26-56
• John 19:16-42

We, as Christians, know this isn’t the end of the story. Victory prevails come Sunday morning. This day, Good Friday, is our day to remember what Jesus was willing to do for us. And I for certain can say, “by His wounds I am healed.”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna