In The Word
Read: Matthew 27:32-50
32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.
The Crucifixion
33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.
35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38 At that time two robbers *were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.
45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Today, we have the awesome privilege of reading Matthew’s account of the last few moments of Jesus’ life. He told us of the journey from the courtroom to the cross. He explained the weight of the burden of the Cross by providing us with a story of how they requested Simon from Cyrene to bear the cross for a weakened Jesus. The path that Jesus was forced to walk was a common path for guilty people. This road lead to a place called Golgotha, which sat high above the city. On Golgotha, executions were held for all to see; this was meant to deter the people from committing crimes. Once they reached the pinnacle of this place, Jesus was nailed to the cross and placed between two guilty criminals. Jesus was in such excruciating pain that the Roman soldiers offered him a drink of vinegar, which was used to help deaden the pain, but Jesus refused.
The book of Romans teaches us that the wages of sin is death and that every sin has consequences. This account of the crucifixion shows how much Christ loved us by putting on our sin and bearing our pain. Even while enduring the suffering of the cross, Christ still had the compassion to answer the request of the repentant thief. Our reading today should remind us that our lives are so important to Christ that He was willing to take our place of suffering. Now we can enjoy a life of love, peace, and joy through the power of the cross. So, today, posture yourself as a victor by acknowledging the finished work of Christ on the cross.