In Isaiah 53:3-12 we read, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (4) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (8) He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

When we think of the cross it is so easy to consider it as merely a historical event; but actually we were all participants in the crucifixion!

Someone has aptly said, “It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sin of the world. It is quite another thing to say that Christ died for my sin! It may be an interesting pastime to point fingers at those who crucified Jesus, but a shocking thought is that I can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Caiaphas, as calloused as the soldiers, as ruthless as the mob, or as cowardly as the disciples. It isn’t just what they did, ‘twas I that shed the sacred blood, I nailed Him to the tree; I crucified the Son of God; I joined the mockery!” Do you see that He was wounded for your transgressions?

Three crosses stood grimly side by side on the hill of Calvary.

On each a suffering man had died; Two for THEIR crimes, the other FOR ME!

“If Thou art the Christ,” they taunting said, “Come down from the cursed tree.”

He heeded no jeering word they said, but, bowing His head, HE DIED FOR ME!

I know it may seem early to mention it, but almost before we know it, Easter Sunday will arrive. And, if we are not careful, it will slip past us with little significance, except for a quick shopping spree. In addition, we will sing a couple of familiar crucifixion and resurrection songs and hymns, perhaps a sermon or two, a family gathering and then it is back to business as usual.

Please stop, pause and consider. An event as significant as the Resurrection, which Easter represents, deserves so much more, like perhaps a leisurely journey with Christ en route to the cross. I would ask that you take time to invest in some meaningful moments and spend time reflecting, remembering, and rehearsing the scenes as they pass.

In order to help you reflect, remember, and rehearse the scenes leading up to the Resurrection at Easter, for the next seven weeks we will examine the “Seven Words of Christ at Calvary.”

January 24    Words of FORGIVENESS, "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Luke 23:34

January 31    Words of SALVATION, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:43

February 14  Words of AFFECTION, "Women behold thy Son; behold the Mother" John 19:26-27

February 21  Words of ANGUISH, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  Matthew 27:46

February 28  Words of SUFFERING, "I thirst" John 19:28

March 7          Words of VICTORY "It is finished" John 19:30

March 21       Words of CONTENTMENT, "Father, into thy hands, I commend my spirit." Luke 23:46

I trust over these nine weeks leading up to the RESSURRECTION, you will slow down and ponder again our so great a salvation, at the cross of Christ.