The Encourager
“"There They Crucified Him" - Jeff Curtis”
“There They Crucified Him”
By Jeff Curtis
As long as this earth has existed, people have died, but in Luke 23 and Matthew 27, there is a death recorded for us that is different. In spite of the magnitude of this death, it is summed up in four words in Luke23:33; “There they crucified Him.”
“There”
Where was Christ crucified? He was crucified at a cruel place; Golgotha, Calvary – “the place of the skull.” It was a shameful place; between two thieves. However, it was an appropriate place; outside the city walls (Hebrews 13:11-12; Acts 7:58). Finally, it was a conspicuous place; beside a well-traveled road (Mark 15:29-30).
“They”
Who was responsible for the death of Christ on the cross? First, the Jews were responsible for His death. They planned his death (Matthew 27:1-2), and they demanded that He die (Mark 15:12-14). They crucified Him because of envy and prejudice. Second, the Roman soldiers were responsible for the death of Christ. The soldiers actually did the deed of placing Jesus on the cross. They crucified Him through ignorance (Hosea 4:6). Finally, we are responsible for the death of Christ. Our sins nailed Him the cross; “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6); “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1Corinthians 15:3); “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2Corinthians 5:21).
Did the people have enough political influence to make Christ go to the cross if He didn’t want to go? Did the Roman soldiers have enough legionnaires to force Him to the cross? No! (John 10:17-18; Matthew 26:52-53).
Our sins caused Him to cry out (Matthew 27:46). Sin separates people from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). To be forsaken by God is the most terrible punishment of hell (2Thessalonians 1:9), and Jesus suffered the pangs of hell for us.
“Crucified”
Christ died on the Roman cross; the cruelest instrument of torture ever devised. But the cross was just the climax of the physical suffering of our Lord. Let your mind go back to His sufferings (Matthew 26:39; Isaiah 53:4).
“Him”
On that cross died the Son of God. The once cruel instrument of torture is now the symbol of all that is good, noble, inspiring, and holy. Why? Because of the One who died there. The influence of Jesus lives on. He is indeed the Son of God.
“He Preached Right at Me”
by James Hahn
I have heard this statement made many times by individuals who have just heard a sermon presented which exposed some wrong in their lives. Did you ever wonder why anyone would feel that the preacher had “preached right at” him?
Suppose the preacher has just preached against lying. Who in the audience will feel that he has preached right at him? It could only be one who is guilty of lying. The same would hold true on any other subject.
What we need to do is examine the things taught in the light of God’s word. If we find them to be true, we should accept them. If they expose some wrong in our life we need to change and thank God that there is someone concerned enough about our soul to teach us what we need to hear.
Meditate on these things:
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
