This morning we come to Golgotha which means "The Place of the Skull."

The English translation is "Calvary." In Luke's it says, "And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him."

No event in all of history can equal the one we will examine this morning. No event has come close to changing the world like the crucifixion of Jesus. We can hardly so it justice. Thousands of books have been written about it. Dozens of movies have attempted to depict. All together they fall short of it true significance. God help this morning as we take a brief though insufficient look at.

v.16-20

The mocking of Jesus

"Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him." v.19. "Those passing by hurled insults at him" v.29. "In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves" v.31.

J The aborigine boning ceremony. J The taunting of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2005.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Pe 2:23

"Falling on their knees they worshipped him."

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the only shuts me name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Phil 2:9-10

v.21-24

"Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." Ps 22:16-18

v.25-30

v.26 Notice of charge

Behind, unseen; "He took it away, nailing it to the cross." Col 2:14

v. 27 The two criminals

"Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Is 53:12

"Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" Lk 23:42-43.

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

v.31-32

"Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Mk 15:32

If healing all kinds of diseases, restoring sight to those born blind, cleansing lepers, and even raising the dead, did not cause them to believe in Jesus, then his coming down from the cross would not either.

"Then I beg you, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them. "No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent." "He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Lk 16:27-31

v.33-34

The darkness of judgement

"But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”" Mt 8:12

The horrible separation

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mk 10:45

v.35-36

v.37-39

"The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." v.38

A symbol of open access into God's very presence.

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain." Heb 10:19-20

The centurion's response, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" v.39

v.40-41

So important is the cross, "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 1 Co 2:2