On A Hill Called Calvary
Or
Father Forgive Them
Sunday July 9, 2023
Scripture To Consider:
“There were also two others, criminals, led with Jesus to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, 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 do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
“And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.’”
“The soldiers also mocked Jesus, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.’ And an inscription also, was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Luke 23.32-38
Something To Consider:
Isaiah 53.12 announces, “And He [Jesus] was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many.” All four gospel writers tell us of the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus. Only Mark informs us of a man named Simon, a Cyrenian, who was the father of Alexander and Rufus, who assisted Jesus in bearing His cross to a hill called Calvary.
Simon was compelled or chosen to carry the heavy wooden cross, probably because of the physically weakened condition of Jesus following the severe scourging and repeated brutal beatings of Jesus at the hand of His enemies.
Are we faithfully taking up our own cross of Christ and following Jesus as commanded in the written Word of God? Are we being obedient to Christ’s commands? The prophet Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 7.27; “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people.” How many heard the voice of God that day from atop a wooden cross on a hill called Calvary?
Have we in this 21st century, heard the voice of God declare, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” The soldiers heard the voice of Jesus, and they gambled for His clothing at the foot of the cross while He died there on a hill called Calvary. They were totally not interested in being obedient to the voice of God. Is that not the mentality of the majority of the human race in this final 21st century generation?
Something Else To Consider:
What is it that each of us is being compelled or chosen by God to do for Jesus? What is it that we should do with and for Jesus during our short visitation here upon planet earth? In the days of the Roman Empire, if a Roman soldier touched your shoulder with the tip of his sword or spear, you were obliged to carry his burden for one mile.
What is it that God has touched each of us on the spiritual shoulder of our lives, and asked us to do for Jesus and for the furthering of the kingdom of God? We do well if we are willing to do nothing more than our bearing our own cross up a hill called Calvary as we faithfully follow Jesus’ living and dying example and command to do likewise!
Therefore, are we faithfully bearing our own cross, a symbol of suffering and shame, to a hill called Calvary? Are we desirous of living a godly life in Christ Jesus even though it promises a life of persecution and tribulation? These are important questions for all true believers, leaders, and leaders in training to consider.
And yet, they can only be truly considered and rightly answered by those who have made that eye opening and heart melting journey up the hill called Calvary, and have willingly found their chosen by God place at the foot of Christ’s cross. Yes, the journey is a life long journey. Yes, it is a difficult journey. But, it is a journey that must be begun and completed on God’s terms and not ours!
And if we are in the process of making that eternally rewarding spiritual journey to the cross of Christ, according to the Word of God, and not according to man’s traditions, how are we doing? Have we prayed Psalm 143.10? “Teach me to do Your will.” And are we in agreement with Jesus as He prayed in Luke 11.12; “Thy will [God the Father’s will] be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Have we accepted the forgiveness of our sins that Jesus prayed for as He was dying for the sins of the world? And if not, why not? Or are we as uninterested as those gambling soldiers at the foot of the cross where Jesus was dying for their sins, who was in the beginning with God, and who was God, and who was the Word of God come in the flesh to atone for the sins of the entire world, if they would simply seek God’s forgiveness?
Something More To Consider:
And so on a hill called Calvary in the Latin, and Golgotha in the Hebrew, in the midst of two convicted criminals, there hung in the balance a more than a man named Jesus, chosen by God the Father to atone for the sins of the world. And even in His extreme suffering, agony, and excruciating pain, Jesus spoke those words of such eternal value, mercy, and grace; “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
When Jesus was crucified, the people looked on while the soldiers mocked Him of whom they had nailed to an old rugged cross. With what thought or feelings do we look at the old rugged cross of Calvary? Do we cherish what was accomplished on that old rugged cross?
A Few Final Words:
A day of judgment is fast approaching! For those of past generations their eternal fate is cast in stone. For those alive on planet earth at the time of Christ’s coming again, there is still time to be forgiven of one’s sins.
Jesus, in John chapter 3, had an evening discussion with a man named Nicodemus, a ruling leader among the Jewish nation. Nicodemus attempted to flatter Jesus by calling Him a teacher come from God. Jesus responded by pronouncing, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again [spiritually by faith in Christ], he [or she] cannot see the kingdom of God.”
What is our eternal goal? Is it to see and to enter the kingdom of God? If so, we must be born again, according to Jesus! Therefore, on a hill long ago, stood an old rugged cross, an emblem of suffering, shame, and gracious forgiveness, for all who have received the truth of Jesus Christ and who have truly believed.
For according to Jesus and His dying breath prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Let us make sure we know what needs to be done before we leave planet earth either by death or by the second coming of Jesus Christ, God come in the flesh!
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, grant unto us the ability to forgive others as Jesus was so willing to do that glorious day on a hill called Calvary. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil of our hearts. And may we be found at all times, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 