That Day!
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.
“Seeing” What Happened at Calvary that Day!
When we preach sometimes we like to explain the meaning of the Scripture that we are reading. Sometimes we like to tell illustrative stores about the passage and sometimes we like to have people “see” the events described in the passage. Today, I want to “see” what took place two thousand years ago at the place which is called Calvary. It is not a pretty sight but it is a sight that should never be forgotten.
What Happened at Calvary that Day?
Since we consider the Bible to be an accurate historical record, we know that an innocent man died as a criminal. There was a gross miscarriage of justice. A man who was declared innocent by the courts was crucified because of Plate’s fear of anarchy. The Jews hated this man without a cause, and Pilate was too insecure to deliver this man from the demands of the crowd.
But what really happened here? Years before Satan had come as a deceiving Serpent and had convinced Eve to disobey God. She ate of a tree that was off limits to her and she, and her husband with her, opened the door to sin and rebellion. God didn’t cause this sin, but neither was He caught by surprise by it. He had planned a way for every sin of every sinner born into this world to be judged righteously on a sinless substitute. In order to accomplish that plan, He had to send his perfect, sinless, unique Son to this place called Calvary. So what really happened here? God provided a way to forgive sin. He provided His Son as the sinless substitute. And He has offered that salvation to the whosoever’s who believe in or trust in the Lord (John 3:16). Because of this place, no one need perish under the righteous hand of God. As we read this moving verse, we need to remember that this is a real place and a real event with real consequences.
Things to Remember about that Day!
This was a place that showcased the depravity that is in the heart of man. The Jewish nation had been called to repent of their idolatry by John the Baptist and to worship the Living God only. He had identified This Man as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This Man was God and was to be worshiped. But the Jewish leaders didn’t care about what John the Baptist said, and they didn’t care about the testimony of the Lord’s miracles. They didn’t consider their own prophetic scriptures which they supposedly taught but didn’t consult or believe. Power was more important than truth or justice. Pilate was more concerned with his position than with truth. At least he did what he did out of fear of the Jews rather than out of hatred for an innocent man which was the case with the Jews. But he still shows that it is easier to do wrong than to do what is right.
This was a place where some were saved and some were lost. When we come to Calvary in our preaching and in our minds this is always the result. People that we would expect to be lost are saved. The centurion and those who were with him realized this was a righteous man and they will likely be heaven. But the Jews who knew and taught the Scriptures will for the most part be in hell. Two thieves died beside the Lord that day. Neither could atone for the sins that they had committed, but one was saved and one was lost. One obstinately refused to accept the fact that Christ was who He claimed to be. He died in his sins. The other turned to the Lord and asked for mercy—not for mercy from death but mercy for eternity. He said, “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” And he received the promise of the Lord that He would join the Lord in paradise that very day.
Calvary Opened the Way to Heaven that Day!
A way was opened for men to enter heaven that day. The veil of the temple was torn in two so that the holy of holies in the temple was now accessible to all. Creation groaned that day. The sun went dark for three hours, and there was a great earthquake. Prophetic passages in the Old Testament were fulfilled that day. This day and the day three days later when the Lord rose from the dead were the most important events that have ever taken place on planet earth. Yes, the Lord’s ascension into heaven was important. The Lord’s coming again will be important. But this day when the Lord was crucified is the turning point of history. In one sense, this is the darkest day the world has ever seen. In another sense it is the brightest day in the history of man because this day has proved God’s love for His sinful creation. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Calvary is the place of blessing for me. I hope it is for you as well.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of March 9, 2014