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So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” ’Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says,‘They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.’ And that is what the soldiers did.Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:7-30)
Dear Friend, it's almost with whispered voice that I write this. Today is the day. The prelude to the event that changed human history. This is Good Friday, when Jesus was arrested, tried, sentenced to death, and died a terrible death on a hill called The Skull. The recommended reading is actually two chapters of John, 18 & 19. I chose just the Crucifixion part of the passage. But, please do take time to read the two chapters in the Bible of your choice.
I read the Bible differently now, as the places have taken shape and form, and they are no longer just words on the page. The class we took in Jerusalem said that our Bible is very descriptive in its lessons, for the writers, like many still today, learn stories by walking or describing the places where the events took place. If we were to compare the Bible with the Koran, we would find the Koran to be non descriptive. Our book is not a geography book, but it is filled with geography. To read about this event is to take me back to the area of the two hotels in Jerusalem where we stayed, just a block or so away from The Church of the Sepulcher, where Jesus experienced what is shared above. The rocks of Golgotha are still there behind glass. The spot of His death is clearly marked, and the tomb now is covered by a small chapel inside a huge cathedral of a church. You can only imagine the crowds that are gathering today to see this tomb. Nellie and I were unable to go inside because of the crowds and on the morning we left at 4 a.m. to try and beat the crowds, we could not enter, for the two church groups who run the place use it for early worship services.
The event was really the sacrificing of God's Lamb. In keeping with tradition, a perfect lamb, without blemish, would suffer death to pay for the sins of those who owned it. God's Lamb died for my sins, and for yours. Every single word of prophecy in the Old Testament was fulfilled in His suffering and death. Jesus was mocked, whipped, scourged, and humiliated. Even as He was nailed to the cross, the ruthless governor, Pilate, took great pleasure in making HIs cross as "King of the Jews." Jesus was placed between two who deserved crucifixion; one who mocked him and asked to be released, and the other who asked Jesus to be in His kingdom. It was at about three p.m. when Jesus died. Darkness covered the area, the great veil in the Temple was torn in half, earthquakes rocked the city, and even tombs were opened and eyewitnesses say that some of the dead came to live. But, Friend, this was your freedom moment. At the point of Jesus' death, Satan's hold on your life came to an end. Sin should no longer be a part of your life or spirit. Jesus paid it all, and you are free.
I don't know about you, but I want to live as a person whose chains have fallen off. The prison doors have been opened, and I've been declared NOT GUILTY! I want my life to shout out "I'M FREE!" with everything I say, think, or do. How about you?
PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for this event that has served to make us free in You. May my life reflect the freedom and grace that has come to me. Help me to tell the whole world about Jesus in ways that bring others to You. I can't do it alone, but I can as I let You guide and strengthen me. And I lift up this prayer in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Your chains have been broken; your prison doors are open, show everyone you meet today the NOT GUILTY sign that replaced the one you wore for years that said GUILTY.
Eradio Valverde
AN INVITATION: Dear one, find a church today that glorifies God for this event. First Methodist in Gonzales has services at 6 pm, to which you are always welcome!
