In this episode, we delve into the significance of the place known as Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. Through an engaging discussion, we examine three pivotal aspects – the cross that accepted sin, the cross that rejected sin, and the cross that bore sin. Each perspective guides us closer to understanding the redemptive power of faith, repentance, and the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for mankind.
Mercy there was great and grace was free. Pardon there was multiplied to me, and there my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary. A beautiful hymn and worthy of our study today, What One Finds of Calvary, coming up from the International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 01 :
A very kind thank you to our J-Web. And greetings once again, dear friends. We are greatly encouraged when you tune in to our broadcast here from the International Gospel Hour. We’re going to begin with the following passages concerning where our Lord Jesus was crucified for mankind. We begin with Matthew 27, verse 33. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, place of a skull. In Mark 15, verse 22. And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which is translated place of a skull. In Luke 23, 33, 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. And John 19, 17, And he, bearing his cross, went out to a place called the place of a skull, which is in the Hebrew Golgotha. Now the Greek word for Calvary or Golgotha means a head or a skull, that is, it is defined. The translated word from the Greek language is where we get the word cranium, which refers to our skulls. My wife and I visited Jerusalem a number of years ago, and the place believed to be Calvary or Golgotha is actually enclosed with a glass case. It is a solid rock that is shaped like a skull. Now it is now within the city where in the days of Christ it would be outside the city. Today, friends, can we make another visit to Calvary? What does one find at Calvary? Let’s continue our thoughts. First of all, we’re going to find a cross on Calvary that is accepting sin. This one is amazing, but it is true. I take us back to Luke 23, but dropping down to verse 39. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed him, or Christ, saying, If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. My good friend and preaching brother, Mark Posey, shared some moving words of observation about this criminal. He said this man was dying because of crimes he had committed. Jesus had done nothing against him, yet this man used some of his last minutes in life to mock and scorn Jesus. As death approached, he was not moved to sorrow by thoughts of being punished forever for his wicked life. He was returning another’s love with bitterness. You know, Jesus was dying for him also. Even the solemnity of death could not restrain the blasphemies from his lips. He died scoffing. He died in sin. Friends, how tragic. to die in sin. Rather than believed, he blasphemed, and the only hope he had, he declined. Well, kind friends, if one rebels against Christ and is not obedient to the gospel, one will be lost. Hear this tragic text, friends. 2 Thessalonians 1, 7 and 8 And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. So here we are at Calvary and we see a cross that is accepting sin. He’s just going to die the way he was living. And that’s a horrible thought. Friend, not everyone who dies is going to heaven. I heard a statement made one time. An individual said, We’re all living in a hell on earth and when we die we’ll all go to heaven. And a nearby friend who was listening said, that’s not the way my Bible reads. And that is true, friends. That’s not the way the Bible reads. So we see the cross that is accepting sin, and that’s not a cross we wish to focus on. I would take us to see a cross that is now rejecting sin. Let’s look at the other criminal. In Luke 23, beginning with verse 40, But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Jesus extended forgiveness to that criminal. And think with me, friends. In Mark 2 in verse 10, this has Jesus stating to those present that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. So we see Jesus on more than one occasion forgiving one of their sins while on earth, and this is the same thing that he did to this criminal. I mean, the criminal was still on earth, and Jesus was still on earth, and he had the power to forgive this thief whose remorse… Turn to repentance. And to God be the glory. You see, this man died to sin. Here is a cross that is rejecting sin. And moved to repentance, Jesus forgave him just like Jesus forgave others. You see, friends, he turned to the cross of Christ. If that thief could say something today, that thief would say, Don’t look at me for your salvation. Look at the one to whom I looked at for salvation. So many times we look at the thief on the cross and we try to justify our obedience. Well, the thief on the cross wasn’t baptized. Well, friends, we really don’t know that. He could have been baptized with the baptism of John. We don’t know a lot about that thief or that criminal. Do we know what he stole? No. Do we know if he was married or not? No. But we all seem to know he wasn’t baptized. But really, when you get down to it, we don’t know that. And to be honest, folks, it is an irrelevant matter because of the time that he lived. There were many people that Jesus forgave of their sins on this earth. And the thief falls in that category as well. But if we would do as the thief did, turn to the cross of Christ and obey his commands. For Jesus taught us the importance of faith and repentance and baptism. Baptism according to the gospel of Christ which is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Parallel that with Romans 6. Whereas we are commanded to carry forth the command of baptism based upon faith and repentance. Well, the thief lived at a time where he did not have to do that. So if we’re going to point at the thief on the cross, let’s look at the cross to where the thief turned to. And that’s the third cross we’re going to look at. We’re going to find a cross that is bearing sin. Of the three crosses, this is the one, the only one that will bear the sin of mankind. And that did. That did. In 1 Peter 2, verses 21-24, For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us. Leave in us an example that you should follow his steps. Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. Now, friends, at Calvary we find the cross bearing sin, and it’s only through that cross, the cross of Christ, one may have redemption or be redeemed. For this is the one that came to seek and save the lost, Luke 19.10. Jesus Christ died for sin. Upon him was the sin of man laid, and only through the cross of Christ one will have redemption through his blood shed upon that cross. Ephesians 1 and verse 7. So friends, let me take a look. We see three crosses there at Calvary. One who accepted sin, one who rejected sin, and one who bore sin. It’s the cross that bore my sin that I’m going to look at. And that is the cross that the thief or the criminal pointed to as well. How grateful we are for what God has done for man. With that being said, we’d like to send you a very special Bible study by mail. Here is our J-Web with those details.
SPEAKER 02 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address and just say God and man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and Man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH. And our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, friends, again, we know our offer is a little lengthy there, but we want to make sure that folks get the material just right. Again, friends, we’ll be glad to send that to you. Our God and Man Study at 855-444-6988. It’s free and it’s for you here from International Gospel Hour. Thank you for joining me today with our journey to Calvary. We’ll continue our studies together at another time, but for now, thank you once again for joining me on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time.
