Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

Luke  23:33 – “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

In Matthew 27:33-55, we read those terse words. There they crucified Him. There at Golgotha — Hebrew for “place of skull,” Latinised to Calvary — we see the only exception to King David’s declaration.

Psalm 37:25 – “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

At Golgotha the righteous One was forsaken by the world. The harrowing experience needed no sensational adjuncts or rhetoric. The details of the crucifixion of Christ are not elaborated in the Gospel accounts; but it is known how Romans meted out the horrible death sentence. Long, crude, rusty spikes were driven through the hands and feet before the bare bodies were lifted up by ropes on the heavy wooden cross-pieces, held high for all to scorn and ridicule. The anguish, pain, and degradation can be left to the imagination. The excruciating process bringing about a slow and agonising death was unlike speedier modern-day execution by gas chamber, electric chair, lethal injection or firing squad.

It is quite significant that the last time this unbelieving world saw the Lord Jesus before His death, He was a sorry sight, dying like a common criminal, forsaken, despised, rejected — a picture of defeat. He knew His mission was to suffer as an innocent man so the penalties of the law could be taken away John 19:30 “It is finished.”  A new way was to begin for all mankind. I Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

He did not labour Himself to the unregenerate multitudes during the forty days after His glorious resurrection. But when He comes again, He will reign victoriously as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him:  and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so. Amen.”

Yes, there at Calvary, hanging between heaven and earth, our Lord brought about the reconciliation between a Holy God and sinful men. On the cross He crossed out the sins of all mankind Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith”; sins that were to be remembered no more.  Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember they sins.”  By His side were two who saw Him, one who rejected Him, and one who was redeemed and whose eternal life was assured. He refused to come down from the cross lest all men be lost. He took our place in gracious condescension so He could lift us up to the heights of glory. Amen, Thank you Lord Jesus!