Let’s Go To Calvary

Text: Luke 23:32–37

Calvary, known as Golgotha, holds   significance in the Christian faith. This place, where Jesus Christ was crucified, stands as a pivotal point in history, marking the moment of ultimate sacrifice and divine love. Every person can make the journey to Calvary by faith, experiencing its transformative power. At Calvary, we witness the love of God displayed in the most extraordinary way, the exposure of sin’s true nature, and the manifestation of God’s grace in action. As we delve into this sacred event, we uncover various   truths.

The Man on the Middle Cross

At the heart of Calvary is the Man on the middle cross, Jesus Christ. Unlike any other, He is the sinless One, in whom no fault could be found. Pilate, the Roman governor, declared, “I find no basis for a charge against Him” (John 19:6). Christ’s sinlessness is fundamental to His role as the sacrificial Lamb. In 1 Peter 2:22, it is affirmed, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” His pure, blameless life stands in stark contrast to the sinful nature of humanity, highlighting His unique qualification to bear the sins of the world.

Beyond His sinlessness, Jesus is the suffering One. Isaiah prophesied, “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). This suffering was not just physical but also spiritual and emotional, as He bore the weight of all human sin. His pain and anguish were the price for our redemption. Jesus, the saving One, fulfills the promise that “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). His crucifixion was the ultimate act of love, offering salvation to all who believe. As theologian John Stott eloquently stated, “The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough for its sparks to fall on us.”

The Motive of Calvary

The motive behind Calvary is deeply rooted in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus was born for this very purpose. He declared, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). His mission was preordained, a divine strategy to reconcile humanity to God. This is encapsulated in the metaphor of the serpent lifted up in the wilderness, as Jesus explained in John 3:14-15. Just as Moses lifted the serpent for healing, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

Furthermore, Calvary was about the ransom paid for our freedom. The Apostle Peter wrote, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). This ransom was the price for our sins, a payment that only Christ could make. His sacrifice was not just an act of love but a necessary remedy for the broken relationship between God and humanity. As C.S. Lewis noted, “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”

The Mockery of the Wicked

Calvary also reveals the depths of human depravity through the mockery Jesus endured. As He hung on the cross, those who passed by hurled insults, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:40). Their taunts were not just a rejection of Jesus but a manifestation of humanity’s rebellious nature against divine authority.

The mockers cried out, “He saved others, but He can’t save Himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him” (Matthew 27:42). Their words were filled with scorn and disbelief, failing to recognize that Jesus’ choice to remain on the cross was an act of obedience to the Father and love for humanity. Despite the derision, Jesus’ response was one of forgiveness, as He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This exemplifies His extraordinary grace and compassion even in the face of   injustice.

The Misery He Endured

The physical and spiritual agony Jesus endured on the cross is beyond comprehension. He cried out, “I thirst” (John 19:28), expressing not only His physical dehydration but also the deep spiritual thirst as He bore the sins of the world. His suffering included giving His cheeks to the smitters and His back to be scourged, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 50:6, “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.”

Moreover, His tongue cleaved to His jaws, a sign of extreme thirst and suffering. The psalmist prophesied this in Psalm 22:15, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.” The extent of His suffering reveals the gravity of sin and the lengths to which Jesus went to secure our redemption. His willingness to endure such misery reflects His boundless love and dedication to fulfill the Father’s will.

The Miracles That Took Place That Day

Calvary was marked by miraculous events that underscored the significance of Jesus’ crucifixion. For three hours, darkness covered the land, a supernatural phenomenon that symbolized the judgment of sin and the gravity of the moment. This darkness was not merely an eclipse but a divine act, as described in Luke 23:44-45, “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.” The darkness signified the weight of the world’s sin being placed on Jesus.

Additionally, there was a great earthquake, the rocks were split, and the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). The tearing of the veil symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting believers direct access to God through Jesus Christ. This event fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 14:4, which speaks of a significant earthquake accompanying the coming of the Lord. These miracles were divine affirmations of Jesus’ identity and the transformative power of His sacrifice.

The Master Who Wore a Crown of Thorns

At Calvary, Jesus wore a crown of thorns, a painful symbol of mockery and suffering, yet it signified His victory over Satan and sin. The thorns, a result of the curse from Genesis 3:18, were now placed on the head of the One who would lift the curse. Jesus’ death on the cross bruised Satan’s head, as prophesied in Genesis 3:15, where God declared that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head.

Jesus’ crucifixion also signifies His triumph over death. Through His resurrection, He conquered the grave, offering eternal life to all who believe. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Jesus’ sacrifice paid for the sins of the world, providing a path to salvation for all humanity. As John Calvin explained, “Christ’s sacrifice was so powerful that it wiped out all the sins of all those who have ever lived or will ever live.”

The Message Calvary Proclaims

Calvary’s message is encapsulated in Jesus’ final words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). This declaration signifies the completion of His redemptive work, fulfilling the prophecies and securing salvation for all who believe. His sacrificial death was the ultimate act of love, bridging the gap between God and humanity. This moment marked the victory over sin and death, affirming the hope of eternal life for believers.

Jesus also prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). His plea for forgiveness highlights the boundless grace available to all, even to those who persecuted Him. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of grace and the call to extend forgiveness to others. Finally, Jesus’ promise to the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), offers assurance of salvation and the hope of eternal life to all who turn to Him in faith. In conclusion, the journey to Calvary is a   experience that reveals the depths of God’s love, the seriousness of sin, and the richness of His grace. By contemplating the events of Calvary, we are invited to embrace the transformative power of Jesus’ sacrifice and live in the hope and assurance it provides. Whether you are a long-time believer or someone seeking to understand more about God, Calvary stands as a beacon of hope and redemption, calling all to experience the life-changing power of Christ’s love and sacrifice.