|
The Bible Says
“Then he (Pilate) delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the place of a skull; which is called in Hebrew Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
Note—“At certain times the Cesar’s wore laurel of wreaths upon their heads; the crown of thorns, of course, was pure mockery. But the soldier’s act had deep significance of which they were unaware. When sin entered the world, God cursed the ground (Gen. 3:17,18); since then thorns have become an emblem of the Curse. Not only did our blessed Lord voluntarily wear this crown, but He bore the curse of which the thorns were an emblem.”
-- New Pilgrim Bible, p.1415. “There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary (also called Galgotha), there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.’” (Luke 23:32-34 NKJB). A similar prayer is recorded in Matthew’s gospel: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered my children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!” (Matt, 23:37 KJV). Christ knew that, humanly speaking, it was His own Jewish nation, rather than the Romans, who instigated His death on the cross. Nevertheless, He loved these people with all His heart and prayed for them, even while He was being nailed to that “Old Rugged Cross.” Christ still loves the sinner and prays for the unsaved that they will come to Him and receive forgiveness and everlasting life (John 3:36). That same love reaches out to every member of the human race. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 NKJB).
“Assuredly, I say to you, Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43 NKJB). There is a lesson for all in this portion of Scripture. Both these men were criminals and possibly equally sinful, but one was saved and the other lost. Why? The second thief demonstrated concern about his past life and exercised faith in Jesus Christ. He knew his companion on the center cross was none other than the Son of God; and that He would eventually rise and reign as King! He didn’t want to be lost. He wanted above all else, to go to Heaven. Christ always gives assurance to those who, in faith call upon Him. How exciting His answer must have been to that dying thief: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple (John) took her to his own home.’” (John 19:26,27 NKJB). Jesus set an example. The Bible says, “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12 NKJB).
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli Lama sabachani?’ that is, ‘My God,” why have You forsaken Me?’” (Matt. 27:46 NKJB). This is the one time that Jesus did not pray to His Heavenly Father. He prayed, “My God” because He was experiencing the agony of a lost soul in Hell. A lost soul will never again be able to communicate with the Triune God! Now, after we are born-again, the Eternal God becomes our “Heavenly Father” (2 Thess. 2:16).
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst’” (John 19:28 NKJB). Christ was human as well as divine. His strength gave way and He could not carry His cross (Matt. 27:32). Now He became extremely thirsty (John 19:28,29). The Bible says, His body was broken that we might be healed (I Cor. 11:24,29,30 NKJB).
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit’” (John 19:30 NKJB). Jesus had now fulfilled His purpose for coming to earth in human form. He had redeemed all who will come unto God by faith. The divine plan of salvation was, as of that very moment FINISHED!
“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father into your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this He breathed His last” (Luke 23:46 NKJB). “No one takes it (My life) from Me, but I lay it down of Myself . . . ” (John 10:18 NKJB).
|