Podcasts about golgotha

“There brake He the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle.” — Psalm 76:3 Our Redeemer's glorious cry of “It is finished,” was the death-knell of all the adversaries of His people, the breaking of “the and the battle.” Behold the hero of Golgotha using His cross as an anvil, […]

Thought to share? Send me a text...Standing at the foot of Golgotha 40 years ago, I experienced a holy feeling that made Jesus's sacrifice tangible despite being in a modern bus parking lot. Jesus positioned himself at the center—between two criminals, between heaven and hell, between judgment and mercy—showing his role as the bridge between God and humanity.• Jesus declared as King in three languages on the sign above his cross• Possible acronym in Hebrew that spelled YHWH (God)• Women and John able to stand near the cross while other disciples had to flee• Jesus, despite his suffering, provided for his mother by entrusting her to John• Mary and John later lived together in Ephesus where they served the church• Jesus sees us in our darkest moments just as he saw his mother at the cross• When we feel unseen, we can remember Jesus's deeply compassionate characterTake a moment to ponder: Where do you feel unseen right now? Invite the Holy Spirit to show you where Jesus is waiting to meet you with his compassionate gaze.To read my blog, find out more about me, or to book a speaking engagement, head to https://betsymarvin.com/For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head tohttps://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/You can follow me on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/betsyjmarvin/and Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/betsy.marvin.98

“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (Philippians 1:5-18). Last week, Pastor Michael talked about the challenge of praying for and loving our fellow believers who frustrate or disappoint us by their words and actions. In the verses today, Paul adds a layer of complexity in being obedient to this command. There are some, he says, who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, with selfish ambition and not sincerity, to stir up trouble.  Many of us have likely encountered people, whether in-person in churches we have attended, or in online ministry or other spaces, and discerned that perhaps their motives in sharing Christ with others are not entirely pure. We are regularly exposed to stories of the corruption of church leaders whose ministries are centred around ego and personality, and yet in those same places are congregants who speak about transformation, of conversions, baptisms, healed bodies and relationships, care for the poor and oppressed. What do we make of such collisions of beauty and brokenness? In the words of Paul in today's verses, I think we see a couple layers to the way we are called to respond. First, is the necessity to name what is wrong, to call out false motives, to bring to light abuses of the gospel message for the sake of personal advancement. There is a temptation to read this passage as a sort of “ends justify the means” approach to ministry, to ignore the twisting of scripture and mistreatment of persons through a misreading of the text which declares, “Well, Paul said that we must rejoice whenever the gospel is shared! Sometimes that requires us to put up with the consequences of bad leadership.” But before Paul's declaration of joy, he names the false motivations of envy, rivalry, selfish ambition, and stirring up trouble. He draws the church's attention to those who would presumably use the message of Christ in such ways, with the intention to put them on their guard, not to excuse their behaviour. This is the first thing Paul does, and to forget this has been, in the history of the church, to use passages like this one to sanction or turn a blind eye to much abuse. When he has called out the failures of leaders, Paul then gives thanks for the preaching of the gospel in spite of the falseness of those who have done the preaching. Now, how is it that he can do that? How do we ourselves follow this pattern without the mistake we have just identified? First, we need to examine ourselves. Rather than being too quick to identify ourselves as the Philippian church, subject to false motives of others, we need to discern our own false motives, our own twisting of the gospel to serve our own ends, and our own limitations to see how Christ is at work among those with whom we might disagree, those whom we might be tempted to “stir up” our own trouble for.  Second, we are called to develop, by the Spirit, a capacity to do what is at the heart of the gospel (but also one of its most challenging expectations): To live in paradox. To find redemption in brokenness. To anticipate resurrection as we contemplate the cross. To hope in the “already and not yet” of new creation.  To give thanks for a gospel message preached even with false motivation as Paul does in these verses requires profound spiritual maturity and prayerful discernment with the community of the church. It requires condemning and pursuing consequences for what is false and still desiring what is true, even when it means we have to do a lot of untangling to find it. This kind of work can be deeply painful, and so it is critical that we remember that to bring beauty out of brokenness, redemption out of sin, led Jesus on the road to Golgotha, to his very death on a cross. And so, as we do this work, we are not alone. And it is for this reason that we can, even as Paul did in chains and subject to the trouble-making of others, rejoice. So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

Lijden, ziekte en dood behoren tot de angsten de meest gevreesde angsten van de mens, maar eenvoudige zorgen en afleidingen wegen ook op ons hart. Radio Marie moedigt Radio Marie elke luisteraar aan en begeleidt hen om samen met Jezus hun kruis te dragen, net als Simon van Cyrene op de klim naar Golgotha. In […]

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 17 Scripture: Luke 23:26-34, Mark 15:21, Hosea 10:8, John 19:19-27, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27:45-49, Psalm 22, John 19:28-30., Luke 23:46, Psalm 31:5, Matthew 27:50-54. Today we take a look at a moving, powerful and emotionally packed teaching on the subject of Jesus' crucifixion.  We will explore the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion using all four gospels as each gives us unique details and special insights. Jesus' crucifixion was painful, prolonged, humiliating and demeaning, but the four gospel writers do not dwell on the sufferings of Jesus. What they dwell on is what He won for us and what He offers to each of us. Our story opens with Jesus' walk to Golgotha (Hebrew word - translates to “Place of the Skull” - Calvary - is the Latin word for ‘Place of the Skull.”) As Jesus was brutally beaten, tortured and whipped He is exhausted, weak, in great pain and unable to carry His cross to Golgotha, so Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus' cross. Jesus' first words from the cross were “Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.” A display of His love even from the cross, even in extreme suffering and incredible pain, He cries out on behalf of others. Don't ever doubt God's love. No matter how we've fallen, our God loves us dearly! The enemy likes to make us think that God is the bad guy, but the truth is - if you want to know what God is like and want to know how He feels about you, then all you have to do is look at Jesus, the One who is the visible image of the invisible God - and He says, Father, forgive them.” He offers mercy to all of us - we all are sinners and we all need a Savior and that's who Jesus is! Our story continues with Pilate making a sign in 3 languages: Hebrew, Latin and Greek. The sign says, “King of the Jews.” The way Romans announced the crime for which the individual was being executed was to post it over their heads on their cross. When Pilate had the sign placed above Jesus' head the Chief Priests became upset. Pastor takes time to dig into some truly interesting insights into why the sign made them so angry. The next words Jesus says are to His mother and the disciple next to her at the foot of His cross. He says, “Woman, here is your son.” And to the disciple He says, “Here is your mother.” Jesus' second set of words from the cross were again for others and of showing his deep love and concern for His mother. Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one of them joins the crowd in mocking Jesus. The one not joining the crowd says to the one that was, “Don't you fear God? This man has done nothing wrong,..” Then turning to Jesus he says, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus replies, “I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” This criminal displays great faith in asking, Jesus, who is beaten, brutalized and nailed to a cross, “Remember me!” This man saw what is unseen - He saw into heaven. He saw what is true.  Again Jesus' words are for others, these comforting words of promise given this man hanging on the cross next to Him. The promise is for all those who believe in Him, that we will be with Him and we will see His kingdom in all its glory and fulfillment. As we continue with the story, darkness came over the land in the middle of the day and Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus endured the judgement of God for us - He became sin for us. Pastor talks about these very words of being forsaken having been written in Psalm 22, 1000 years earlier, and they were words that every Jew was familiar with. Pastor shares how that would have impacted those around Him hearing Him say these words - they were a testimony to who Jesus is! Then Jesus says, “I am thirsty.” And He is offered wine vinegar on a sponge on the end of a hyssop stalk. Pastor shares insight into this prophetic action of using the hyssop stalk being lifted to Jesus to drink from.  When Jesus had the drink, He said, “It is finished.” Meaning PAID IN FULL. The debt for sin was paid. The price for our salvation has been paid in full. Jesus drank the cup of the wrath of God, He is the sacrificial victim - the Real Passover Lamb, who offered up His blood for us all and His blood covers our sin. And then Jesus' speaks, “Father, into Your hand I commit My Spirit.” And He dies.     ⁃    The price is paid     ⁃    The battle is won     ⁃    The victory is assured At Jesus' last words the curtain of the Temple is torn in two. Why?… This was a massive curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies where a High Priest went once a year before God making atonement for the sins of the people. Now all of a sudden people, not just the High Priests can look into the Holy of Holies and have access to the Living God. God dealt with human sin in the very Person of His own Son. The curtain is now open and the way to the Father is exposed - all are given access into the place where only a High Priest could go because Jesus open it through His sacrifice on the cross. Our time together ends with the words of the centurion guarding Jesus on the cross as the day turned dark, as the curtain tore, as the earth shook, rocks split and people walked out of tombs, the centurion exclaims, “Surely, He was the Son of God!” What a shocking day this was!  This was the day the Savior gave His life for all! And it changed everything because now - He offers life to all who believe in Him. Join us next time as we discover that Jesus is our Victor! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry. The earth shakes concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.  This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

Mark 15:16–41 recounts Jesus' mockery, crucifixion, and death. Roman soldiers humiliate Him, He is crucified at Golgotha, darkness covers the land, and Jesus dies with a loud cry. The temple veil tears, and a centurion declares, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Women followers witness from a distance.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/lets-talk-scripture/donations

**Thank you for supporting this ministry, I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl **Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Subscribe to me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-534183There is something notable in the lives of many true born again believers. They start out in their youth always being with many others. But when they begin to advance in years, many of those they first started out with go another direction. I remember this was the case for me. As I continued to mature in Christ, the less I felt the need to always lean on the arm of flesh but more and more on the arm of Jesus Christ alone. Jesus started out with few disciples, then many, then seventy, then multitudes. But when He began to teach and tell them things they did not understand, they began to leave Him for good. Eventually Judas left Him, "then they all fled," meaning the remaining eleven. Jesus then went the rest of the way alone carrying His Cross to Golgotha. This is always the path of many saints, and those who fill up heaven. Who started out with many and went the rest of the way alone with Christ up into heaven. When this begins to happen, you will begin noticing another kind of abounding walk in Christ you would never turn back from. You become partakers of His life in greater blossoming fulness. There is no turning back.If there are people in your life that have left you because you are flourishing in spiritual growth, let them go. When they do, you will start to thrive in ways you could never before. “One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime.”― Elisabeth Elliot

THE GOSPEL is encoded into the very letters used to write the first verse of the Bible.Carl Gallups, author of the forthcoming book Golgotha's Groaning, shows us why we can't separate the New Testament from the Old because God's covenant with us is built into the alphabet used by the prophets.

The Binding of Isaac and the sacrifice of Messiah

THE GOSPEL is encoded into the very letters used to write the first verse of the Bible.Carl Gallups, author of the forthcoming book Golgotha's Groaning, shows us why we can't separate the New Testament from the Old because God's covenant with us is built into the alphabet used by the prophets.

Send us a textIn this episode. Pastor Dom teaches us how communion connects to the Cross. John 18:39-4039 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”Luke 23:18-1918 And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—  19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.Mark 15:11-1211 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”Luke 23:21-2421 But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” 22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.John 10:2727 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.Psalm 23:123 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.Jeremiah 17:99 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?Matthew 27:26-3126 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. Mark 15:22-2722 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.Matthew 27:39-4039 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, …If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”Matthew 27:44-4644 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And 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?”Luke 23:3434 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.Luke 23:39-4339 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”Ephesians 4:3232 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.Ro

The only faith the Bible talks about, the only sort of Faith Jesus talked about was the sort of faith that moves mountains. The sort of faith that conquers the world! The sort that has powerful results.   Conquering Faith There are times in our lives when we have to overcome obstacles. Now not every obstacle is there for overcoming, let me say. Sometimes they're meant to be there at least for a while, and sometimes they're meant to be there as a permanent feature. I don't know if you recall the apostle Paul's prayer to God about the thorn in his flesh that was hindering him, but three times Paul asked God to take it away, and God's answer was no, because that thorn in Paul's flesh was there to keep him humble. Even adversity, especially adversity sometimes, plays an important part in God's plan for our lives. But sometimes it's God's plan for us to overcome obstacles in our lives. Sometimes we need to be more than conquerors over our circumstances, in order to achieve what God's called us to achieve. When we have to conquer an obstacle that's way beyond our power or our wisdom or our strength, then we need to have faith – faith in the One who does have the power and the wisdom and the strength to make things happen. We need the sort of faith that conquers the world, and that's the sort of faith that we're going to chat about again today on the programme – world-conquering faith. So let's go back to Hebrews 11 and see what God has to say to us today about that sort of faith. Hebrews 11:29: By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so, they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute didn't perish with those who were disobedient because she had received the spies in peace. And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sampson and Jephthah and David and Samuel and all the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fires, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Isn't that just one of the most amazing passages? I get a real courage in my heart just reading that passage. So, what's God saying to us through His Word today? When the nation of Israel fled from their centuries of slavery in Egypt, and after they'd wandered for forty years in the wilderness, God finally let them into the land that He promised them through Abraham centuries before. Now you'd think, wouldn't you, that if the land was the land God had promised and He'd chosen and He'd provided, that God could ordain for them that they'd kind of waltz in there and settle down and take over, but that wasn't God's plan. The land was occupied by many nations and kings and tribes, and the Israelites had to take the promised land battle by battle. That's often God's way. That's why so often, life as a Christian seems to be battle after battle. That's why sometimes we think to ourselves: "Why is following Jesus this hard? Why doesn't it all just fall into place? What about the promises of God?" Well, the promises are there, just like the promised land was there for Israel, but they had to be taken (often battle by battle), and those battles, my friend, require faith. Faith pleases God and so those battles are our opportunity to grow in our faith, as we rely on God's promises to take us through, and that's pleasing to God. So Israel took Jericho ... by strength? No, by faith! And Rahab, the prostitute who'd harboured the Israeli spies before that battle, she was saved by faith. And then the writer goes on to list many situations and circumstances in the history of Israel where battle after battle after battle after battle had been won, as Israel God's people stepped into the breach and put their faith in their God. My friend, that's what the Christian life looks like. That's what we're meant to be living, and after each battle and each trial and each beating and each victory, you know what happens? Our faith grows stronger. We don't just become mighty men and women of faith by sitting here in our lounge-rooms watching the television, we become mighty men and women of faith by using our faith – by exercising the muscle of faith, so that it grows stronger and stronger with each battle. And one day we wake up and we're able to face bigger battles for Christ because now we have the faith we need to live through them. Let me share with you a letter I received awhile back from a woman, Elsie – an elderly lady, who used to support Christianityworks by sending some stamps every few months. Listen to the world-conquering faith of this frail old woman. She writes: Although I'm only a very aged pensioner' (those are her words), ‘I have been kept by God's grace through many years. In the last eighteen months, I have had both floodwaters and burning tree-embers over my veranda, but God has protected me through it all. Only last night the bush-fire threatened my home again, and I went to bed knowing that only our Creator could keep me safe. Berni, I'm sending you these stamps in the name of our miracle-working God, who fed thousands with five small loaves and two fishes, who burst open prison-doors, calmed tempests, split rocks and provided water, conquered death and defeated Satan, and who is coming again to take us all to His eternal home in glory. May these stamps help others to enter His peace. And so they did. We used those stamps in our very next mailing to our supporters, and in response to that mailing, I received a letter from another woman, who as it turns out lived just a few kilometres from Elsie, who'd been to the point of suicide when she received our letter, yet God used that letter to save her life. She wrote: "Thank you for saving my life." I believe with all my heart that that miracle was born out of Elsie's world-conquering faith. I rang Elsie, I told her what had happened, and she wept with joy. What an awesome God we serve, that this self-described "aged pensioner" can be filled with that sort of world-conquering faith. And as you receive God's word today, may you be filled with a passion to travel through the battles, through the fires, through the floods of your walk with Jesus, so that day after day He will grow in you the sort of faith that conquers the world.   Unwavering Faith You know the thing that is absolutely the most difficult thing about faith? It's that sometimes when I believe in God for something, He doesn't give me the answer I was believing for. Sometimes when I trust in God to do something, something that's really good – something that's really powerful – something that truly would glorify His name, either He doesn't do it or He delays in doing it, or He does it in a completely different way to what I was expecting. You see, when it comes to faith, I just want it to be simple: I decide what needs to be done, I ask God to do it, and I believe in Him that He's going to do it and He does it! Hey, that's simple enough. How come God doesn't get it sometimes? How come He heads off in some tangent when I can see plain as day what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how it needs to be done? Now, as we've been exploring what Hebrews chapter 11 has to say about faith over these last few weeks, have you noticed that each of the examples so far has focused on successful outcomes of having faith in God? Yippee! But the Bible is nothing if it's not realistic, and so it also talks about those times when God doesn't seem to deliver on our prayers – when we've prayed in faith and He doesn't show up. Have a listen. This first passage follows on from the Abraham story. God had promised Abraham many descendants, even when he and his wife were old, beyond childbearing age, and He promised a land of his own – the promised land, in which his descendants would be like ... well, more numerous than the stars in the sky, and the grains of the sand on the beach. Question: How much of that promise did Abraham actually get to see? Well, only two small parts. Firstly, God gave him a son Isaac – miraculous to be sure, but only one – not the multitude that had been promised, and God fleetingly let him pass through the Promised Land, so what does the Bible have to say about these unfulfilled promises? Hebrews 11:11: By faith he received the power of procreation, even though he was too old and Sarah herself was barren, because he considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from one person – and this one as good as dead, descendants were born – as many as the stars in heaven, as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore. All of these died in faith, without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. People who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land they had left behind, they would have had an opportunity to return, but as it is, they desire a better country – that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, He has prepared a city for them. So, Abraham didn't even see the outcome of his faith. All but two of the Israelites that finally centuries later left slavery in Egypt, perished in the wilderness and never saw the Promised Land; only their children did, and yet God commends them for their faith. God's plan, God's promises span centuries, right down to the birth of Jesus. God's promise of many descendants is what gave Jesus to us, and you and I today are still being blessed. Because Abraham trusted God, because Israel trusted God, you and I are blessed in Jesus who came through God's promise to Abraham. God's plans span millennia, way beyond Abraham's life! Abraham's life was just one small piece in the overall jigsaw puzzle, and yet God commends Abraham for his faith. See, that's the big picture – that's the truth. You and I, our lives, are just one small part in the overall scheme of things, in God's whole plan for the human race. And sometimes from our narrow perspective, well, we can't see the whole picture. In fact, I'd suggest that our perspective is inherently way too narrow ever to fully comprehend God's big picture. So often, God makes promises and we step out in faith into these promises, and things don't go quite the way we planned, and yet those apparent failures are critical in the overall plan of God. Again, listen to what Hebrews has to say further on, on this very thing. Having regaled us with all the successes of faith that various leaders and kings and prophets had, the writer of this book of Hebrews under the hand of God turns his attention to the apparent failures of faith. Hebrews 11:35: Women received their dead by resurrection, but others were tortured, refusing to accept release in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death; they were sawn in two; they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats – destitute, persecuted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in the deserts and mountains, in caves and holes in the ground, yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better, so that they would not apart from us be made perfect. So, you read that, and it seems to me that having faith in God is more important to God than the outcome of that faith. Stepping into the firing line with a distinct possibility of getting shot, trusting in God, is more important to God than whether or not we get shot. That's what the Scripture is telling us, and it's true. What we're interested in is a narrow form of success – success in our little bit, but sometimes our apparent failure, or what you and I would call failure, is a critical element of the jigsaw in God's overall plan. Just think: What if Jesus had been saved from the cross? Where would you and I be now? But I'll tell you something. I bet you the disciples were praying to God in those final hours that Jesus would be saved – that He'd be spared. I bet you that had you and I been one of those disciples, that's exactly what we'd have been praying, right? It's not always about winning each battle. Sometimes God's got a bigger picture and what pleases Him, and what He commends us for, is a faith that stands an unfailing faith, despite the outcome.   Overcoming Faith Well, we're going to conclude our time together in this particular series by looking at what Hebrews chapter 11 has to say about the sort of faith that overcomes obstacles – the sort of faith in God that'll help us overcome difficult circumstances. Often we hope that if someone is against us that our faith will mean that we'll end up winning, and they'll end up losing. That's a good thing to believe for, isn't it? Do we see something of that in the Bible? Well, yeah, we do. We often see God's people in the Old Testament, whether under the leadership of Moses or Joshua or David or Jehoshaphat or quite a number of judges and kings and prophets, turn to God in times of distress, and God goes out there and fights the battles for them and gives them victory over their enemies. Sometimes that's what the Lord does in our lives, and when we just feel to get out there amongst it and the forces of hell are unleashed against us, there is absolutely nothing wrong with praying in faith for victory, so that the Lord's will can prevail. There's been many-a time in my life when I've been up against it; when it seems that people came against this ministry of Christianity Works and our mission to share the good news of Jesus with many, many people around the world; when our finances have been so difficult that we couldn't really see how we could possibly continue; when people that we relied on failed us, and left us in a difficult spot. Please don't ever think that just because I'm here on the radio proclaiming the good news of Jesus, none of these things happen to us; they do, and the more we preach Christ, the more the enemy unleashes his armies against us. That's par for the course. So, when we're in a tough place, should we turn to God as our first resort instead of our last? Should we rely on His faithfulness to overcome the obstacles and opposition that we face? Absolutely we should, because He's our God, and yet that's not always what He has in mind. Sometimes His victories are so different to what we're expecting. There's something that Jesus said to His disciples in the final days before His crucifixion that must have seemed so outrageous and so plain wrong to them, as they heard it, and as they lived out the next few days. This is what He said. Have a listen. John 16:32-33: Jesus said, ‘The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered each one to his home, and you will leave me completely alone, yet I am not alone because the Father is in Me. I have said these things to you so that in Me, you may have peace. For in this world you will face persecution, but take courage; I have conquered the world'. The first verse speaks of the coming fear and trials that the disciples were already beginning to face. You'll each scatter! You'll flee to your homes! You'll leave me alone! Man! If Jesus had been saying that to me, I wouldn't have been impressed. You'll face persecutions. Zippedy doo dah! There's a promise of God that we can stand on, and yet in the very next breath, He's saying: But I'm telling you these things so that in Me, you might have peace. Have courage! For I have overcome the world; I have conquered the world. Words are cheap. Not so long after this, they see Him arrested, tried, beaten to within an inch of His life – the flesh literally hanging off His back where He'd been whipped, lugging a cross – a huge wooden cross – up to Golgotha, where He's nailed to the cross, and there He dies. And yet this miracle man Jesus had said to them: Take courage! Be of good cheer! I've overcome the world; I've conquered the world. Let me ask you this: When He was hanging there on that cross, did He look like much of a conqueror – much of an overcomer – in the eyes of His frightened, disillusioned disciples who'd fled, who'd left Him in His darkest hour, just as He'd predicted? Not likely, and yet just a few days later, He was raised from the dead – just a few days later, to their absolute disbelief, even though He'd been telling them this would happen. The One whom they'd seen dead and lifeless was alive again. He truly had conquered the world. He'd conquered the grave; He'd conquered death; He'd overcome the very worst outcome of all – the outcome of dying. Do you see how the immediate circumstances of His trial and crucifixion shroud the ultimate victory in the disciples' gaze? And so, my friend, it often is with us. So often we're focused on the short-term victory in this or in that – a victory that all too often involves saving our skins (let's be honest), when all along our Father in heaven is working out His ultimate victory in our lives. And in order to realise that ultimate victory, for a time, we have to suffer. Have a listen to how the apostle John puts it. 1 John 5:4: For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Ultimately, it's the one who believes Jesus is who He says He is who conquers this world – because in Jesus Christ, you and I have victory over the grave; we have victory over death; we have victory over this world. And as we're travelling through the short-term pain of a lifetime, that's what keeps us pressing on to the end – the truth that in Christ Jesus, we have life eternal. Peter the apostle says this. 1 Peter 1:6: In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while, you have to suffer various trials; so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. To that you and I can shout: "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Through Him, we have victory over the grave." There are going to be times in this life when you and I feel like losers. Peter was writing that to a bunch of people who had been tarred and feathered and burnt on stakes at Caesar's parties. These people weren't just suffering various kinds of trials; they were dying for their faith, but in those moments to them, and in those moments to us, God is faithful. His love is unfailing; His promises are true, and we have all that we need to make it through. For me to be able to serve you with this truth today is such an incredible privilege. As I walk through my trials, as I suffer through my things, I need this word just as much as you do. I need the encouragement and the power of God's Word just as much as you do, so please take this truth; hold it close to your heart; because through your faith in Jesus Christ, as weak and as tenuous as it may feel sometimes, you have already overcome the world. I've said these things to you that in Him, you may have peace.

After discovering a mysterious and disturbing painting in a museum, a man brings it home—only to find that some works of art were never meant to live beyond the canvas.If you have a story you'd like to contribute to the series, you can visit https://submissions.soundconceptmedia.com/You can support the show by becoming a paid subscriber on Substack: https://auditoryanthology.substack.comBy becoming a paid subscriber you can listen to every episode completely ad-free!Curator: Keith Conrad linktr.ee/keithrconradNarrator: Darren Marlar https://darrenmarlar.com/Other shows hosted by Darren:Weird Darkness: https://weirddarkness.com/Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/paranormalitymagMicro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/microterrorsRetro Radio – Old Time Radio In The Dark: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/retroradioChurch of the Undead: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/churchoftheundead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Road to the Cross, Steve and Tim follow Jesus beyond the city gates, where the condemned are cast out to die. As we approach Golgotha, we reflect on the shame of crucifixion, the symbolism of exile, and the prophetic layers hidden in the details of Jesus' suffering. Why was he crucified outside the camp? What's the deeper meaning behind the crown of thorns, the robe, and the inscription Pilate wrote?We also discuss mob violence, lament, and how Jesus' journey still transforms lives today—from ancient Jerusalem to modern Uganda.

Living Way Community Church

Living Way Community Church

Join us for Easter service 2025! This Easter, we celebrate the greatest victory in history—Jesus Christ risen from the grave! In this powerful message, we trace the path from Gethsemane to Golgotha to the empty tomb and discover why Jesus isn't just a hero—He's THE Ultimate Hero. Unlike any other, He conquered sin and death, not for applause, but for you.From the betrayal to the brutal cross, and ultimately to resurrection morning, we're reminded that Jesus' love is relentless, His sacrifice is perfect, and His victory is complete. Because He lives, your past can be redeemed, your present has purpose, and your future is secure.Tune in as we fix our eyes on Jesus—the pioneer, the perfecter, and the risen King.

HE IS RISEN! Haven't forgotten that, have you? Just because we celebrated Easter and the Easter message of resurrection even though virtual, Sunday, April 20, I just can't let you and me ever forget that. It's not just April 20, it's every day of 12 MONTHS.HE is the only man who ever triumphed over death and the grave, none before Him and none since. THE ONLY ONE! That resurrection, that bodily resurrection, that ascension, that VERIFIED – WITNESSED resurrection and ascension is crucial, pivotal, revolutionary, life changing, essential and indispensable to the belief of every Christian. Morning, noon and night, every day of all 365, the living, resurrected Christ LIVES within the hearts of every Christian believer. And every believer, the Christ has promised, will live with Him now, in this life, and in the life WITH HIM to come. Incredible, is it not?Wonderful, glorious, jubilant, to every believer. But to the natural man:FOOLISHNESS, Absolute and altogether foolishness. It is absolutely ridiculous, says a natural man, an atheist or agnostic, that a mere human being, a carpenter from Nazareth no less, who came from dust and shall return to dust as the scriptures say should rise from the dead. It is just simply not possible. And of course, the myth of the resurrection and the myth of the virgin birth and even for many the myth of the crucifixion all are nothing more than fairytales or as the scriptures say IDLE tales. One can readily see how a natural man, one not drawn by THE HOLY SPIRIT, with eyes closed and ears blocked would scoff, mock and ridicule the EASTER story. If you want, as physicist and astronomer Steven Hawkins would say to believe in a myth of fairytale, that is your right. But the world of science says Hawkins, astronomy and the so called reason and rationality of the mind dismiss a resurrection possibility out of hand. It didn't happen, says Hawkins. IT CAN'T HAPPEN! And, to that, the Apostle Paul says if in fact the resurrection did not happen, then:YOUR FAITH IS IN VAIN. Worthless. No better than any other belief system, if even that. If Christ be not risen, any professing believer is not only deceived but becomes him or herself a DECEIVER. Such a believer testifies to a lie, perhaps the biggest lie in all of human history andconsequently, becomes a conspirator in the spread of evil and duplicity. So that, not only is the believer's faith in vain, but the guilt of the false belief of others lies upon him or her as well. When you or I profess to be Christian, we must therefore champion the resurrection with all of our heart, soul and mind. There can be no doubt. NONE!Perhaps that is why the nonbeliever dislikes, even hates Christianity and as a consequence the Christians who follow it. Nonbelievers hate the concept of sin. They see no need for forgiveness. They deeply resent the demands of Christianity and the Christ who boldly proclaims:NO MAN OR WOMAN COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME! Nonbelievers hate that demand, that exclusivity. For it rules out everything else, every other form of belief, in fact every other religion. The crucifixion at Golgotha was merely the death of one man, perhaps even justified. The man who died was a revolutionary, a seditionist, constantly conspiring to get THE PEOPLE to resist and rebel against Rome, the political system, Herod and Pilot on the one hand and the religious authorities, the Pharisees and Sadducees on the other. And he even admitted he came to stir up trouble, to turn one family member against another. He called Herod the Tetrarch of Rome a FOX, cunning, deceiving and lying. The religious establishment despised him because he referred to them over and again as nothing more than hypocrites, or whited sepulchers, empty inside. If any mere man deserved to die, and die in an excruciating way, it was this mirror man Jesus of Nazareth. It was with HIM then as it is now love or hate. You embraced him, believed in him, gave him your all. Or you despised, even hated him nothing more than a rebel or rabble rouser, deluded, even perhaps insane a man in no way to be taken seriously. WITH OR AGAINST. And, written off by Him who again boldly even arrogantly stated:HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME.The world, the secularists, the natural men and women accommodate Christianity one weekend, three days each year. From Good Friday through resurrection Sunday, those who believe in fairytales are allowed their celebration. But then comes Monday and it is back to business as usual, criticizing Christianity, attempting at every hand to get Christians, Christian beliefs and Christianity out of the public square, out of the marketplace, confined if at all possible to the four walls of a church. They are determined, these rabid, progressive secularists to curtail or eliminate Christian witness, any form of evangelism for they the enemy have determined that all Christian speech is:HATE SPEECH.They are determined to destroy, eliminate any form of testimony, any message which states:CHRIST IS RISEN Even as they scoff at the message:UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE WITH THE MIGHTY CHILD O'ER HIS FOES Wherever he was buried, there he remains they say. From the time he was laid in a tomb, everything else, EVERYTHING is nothing more than myth, fairytale, idle tale WHY!But, natural man, like it or not, he did in fact rise again. HE WAS SEEN first by the women Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome, and Joanna, and other women. They first saw the empty tomb as they brought spices, the announcement of the resurrection by the angel and these women were the very first EVANGELISTS. They were the first to go and tell. They told Peter, and the disciples, 11 of them and others that at the tomb:HE IS NOT THERE!HE IS RISEN! He was there, back for some 40 days before an ascension. He fellowshipped with his disciples and with others. He was there in the flesh for he was hungry and thirsty. He ate and drank and he showed them his nail pierced body and the wounded side where he was pierced. He returned as a man alive and ascended in glory as the eternal Christ. For Christian believers, it is true, all of it. It is fact. It is the foundation of belief. He was alive in the flesh before and after the crucifixion and now lives eternally and forever with his saints to reign. So, the Christian joyfully proclaims Easter Sunday and every other day:HALLELUJAHCHRIST AROSE We the believers celebrated the Easter weekend, mourning at the remembrance of the crucifixion on Good Friday, but joyfully and jubilantly celebrated HIS Resurrection on Easter Sunday. That resurrection message was heard that day the world over. The world made time, even priority at least to recognize that incredible message. But now, only mere days later, it is business as usual. Perhaps even we who believe become gradually less open, less aggressive in our testimony, perhaps even unwilling to STAND for what we believe, in Him. Perhaps, gradually, we become more defensive, even withdrawn, unwilling to testify and confront. Perhaps the message of those three potent days becomes a matter of memory, fading, the power of it all dissipating, the courage to fight the fight of faith waning.So, just a few days after the Easter celebration, it is well for us to celebrate again, and again and again, and every day the fact, the most supreme fact in all of human history that:HE IS RISEN.That, as the old hymn says, Christ the Lord is risen today, and every day. Hallelujah! Let us with all our hearts proclaim that message and live that message. It is the greatest fact in human history!So, from the virgin birth, to a powerful human life symbolist, to the crucifixion offering forgiveness for all mankind through the shed blood, to the resurrection, believe it, proclaim it, and live it every day of the year.And one more thing. There is yet to come the rapture. This, the crucified and resurrected Christ will return again for his church, for us. Perhaps that day is near and we should be ready. The rapture is yet another fairytale, so says the natural man. But for Christians, it is the ultimate event, the culmination of everything. If you are Christian, if you believe, then the Holy Spirit bears witness, fortifies your belief, encourages you and strengthens you and makes certain that you live joyfully in the faith, hope and love of the Christian journey. Easter was celebrated just a few days ago. But Easter is not a day, it is a way of life. Celebrate morning, noon and night:HE IS RISEN HALLELUJAH CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY AND EVERY DAY!

John 19 told of Jesus' crucifixion. It followed brutal treatment at the hands of Pilate's soldiers including thrusting a crown of thorns upon his head and putting a purple robe on him in mockery. How apt that in his dying he would remove the curse brought by Adam upon the earth; and would be like the ram caught by his horns in Genesis 22. When Pilate heard their claim that Jesus was the Son of God his fear intensified and he sought the Lord's release. Jesus made it crystal clear to Pilate that Pilate was without power against Jesus and the great sin lay with the Jewish rulers. They clamoured even more that Pilate should cooperate with their designs. If not Caesar would hear of it. Pilate caved in under pressure and allowed Jesus to be led away to be crucified. “We have no king but Caesar”, they cried; and forty years later their king came and destroyed Jerusalem because of their blood guiltiness. The crucifixion occurred in the place of the skull – Golgotha (the location where David buried Goliath's skull, as told in 1 Samuel 17). He was crucified between two thieves- no doubt these were Barabbas' men. In the three languages operating in Judea at the Aramaic, Greek and Latin was inscribed on his cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews”. The Jews protested Pilate's writing; but he, no doubt, gloried in this small victory over them. The soldiers divided his clothes between them and they cast lots for his vesture in fulfilment of Psalm 22:18. The beloved women in his life eventually came near to see his death; and at this time he committed his mother into the care of his beloved Apostle John. He died with his final words being a citation of Psalm 31:5 the quotation being completed when he emerged from the tomb after three days. His side was pierced by a Roman spear and out came blood and water indicating he had died of a broken heart. Unlike the thieves not a bone of him was broken – he was the Passover Lamb of Exodus 12 and the subject of the prophecy in Psalm 34:20-22. And the Scripture in Revelation 1:7 will be true at his coming kingdom. Jesus' body was secured from Pilate by Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus' body was placed by Joseph and Nicodemas in a new and unused garden tomb owned by the rich man Joseph.

There is a hill outside the city of Jerusalem called Golgotha or also called Calvary, both words meaning skull. The hill was given it's name because of it's shape of a skull. Do you think that was an accident? It was here on top of this skull shaped hill that Jesus was crucified on the […]

kenn.blanchard@gmail.com    Matthew 27:32-56 32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.    

* In the beginning, God made man in His own image and likeness. He then placed man in the garden and made him a helpmeet. In that garden, God placed two special trees, along with the other various trees. These two trees were the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (otherwise known as the Tree of Death - for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.) * God made man with the Privilege of Choice. Man, in the garden, had a choice to make. God told man that he could eat of any tree (including the Tree of Life), but he was forbidden from eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Sadly, man chose to disobey God, and death entered into the world. * This choice has been the primary choice which man needs to make. To choose obedience to God is to choose life. To choose disobedience to God is to choose death. Romans 6:23 states, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." * The apex of that choice was displayed 4000 years later, in the very moment of Christ's payment for our sin. There on Golgotha - the place of the Skull - Jesus was crucified between two criminals. The trees upon which these criminals were hung equate to the trees in the Garden of Eden. * Mankind, another 2000 years later, is still faced with the same choice that these criminals faced. Let's look at "The Choice" each made. * This message was presented by Chuck Sabo and Bob Corbin on April 20, 2025 at Family Bible Church in Martinez, Georgia.

Good Friday 2025

The name of place that Christ died has implications for how we must understand his death on our behalf.

On Good Friday, we looked at Luke 23:32-43 to see that because Jesus suffered, we can be transformed.Sent ChurchWeAreSent.church

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (04/18/25), Hank picks up his overview of the days of Holy Week, arriving at Holy Friday, the day a united Church is brought face-to-face with the fatal torment of Jesus Christ. A torment that began in the garden of Gethsemane following the emotional Last Supper of Holy Thursday. That night, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, disowned by Peter, and arrested by the temple guard. Before Caiaphas the high priest, he was mocked, beaten, and spat upon. The next morning, Jesus—battered, bruised, and bleeding—was stripped and subjected to the brutality of Roman flogging, reducing his body to quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh. As Christ slumped into the pool of his blood, soldiers threw a scarlet robe across his shoulders, thrust a scepter into his hands, and pressed sharp thorns into his scalp. After they mocked him, they took the scepter and repeatedly struck him on the head. A heavy wooden beam was thrust upon his bleeding body, and he was led away to a place called Golgotha. There, the Lord of glory experienced ultimate physical torture in the form of the cross.Today, as we remember the passion of the Christ upon the cross, as we recall his dying words, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit,” we are reminded that we, too, will breathe our last. Whether we are old or young, rich or poor, male or female, we light the sky for the briefest of moments. And then eternity. In the meantime, what we do today will have direct consequences for all eternity. Thus, while the culture seeks to focus your gaze on greatness, Christ rightly focuses your gaze on grace and godliness.

Good Friday Service

The crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha, as described in John 19, represents the peak of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, enduring pain and humiliation for humanity, transforms the cross from a symbol of shame to one of love and sacrifice. This event invites personal reflection on sacrificial love and resilience amidst struggles.

Golgotha's message is about the choices humanity faces in light of Christ's sacrifice. With every individual standing before the cross, there lies an opportunity to choose between acceptance and rejection of grace. This pivotal moment in history emphasizes God's unwavering love, revealing the profound impact of the decision to accept or deny His mercy. Through this powerful account, we are called to reflect on the significance of salvation and what it truly means to follow Christ. Get the "SWRC 'Legacy' Devotional Series Collection" HERE! https://www.swrc.com/product/swrc-legacy-devotional-series-bundle/

Date: April 18, 2025Podcast: Black Girl TheologyEpisode Title: S3E4 | The Cost of Surrender with Ashtyn WashingtonINTRODUCTION:On this Good Friday, we pause to reflect on the weight of what Jesus did. Not just His suffering, but His surrender.In a world where strength looks like resistance, Jesus showed us a different kind of power: the kind that lays itself down in obedience to the Father's will.In this episode, we walk through Jesus' journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to Golgotha, and what it truly means that He chose the cross. We'll unpack the significance of His words, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” and how His surrender became the pathway to our salvation.If you wrestle with surrender in your own life — letting go of control, trusting God in uncertainty — this conversation will meet you right where you are.PATREONWe now have a Black Girl Theology community on Patreon! Depending on what level you join, you will receive early access to new podcast episodes, be able to submit topic requests for the podcast, and get access to two private, bonus episodes each season.So there are three different levels - the friend level, the bestie level, and the sista level.Click the link in the description box to view the different tiers and join the community.The Bestie level has a 7-day free trial, so be sure to check that out.https://www.patreon.com/blackgirltheologypodcastLet's Stay Connected!Follow Black Girl Theology on Instagram: https://instagram.com/blkgrltheologyEmail: washingtonashtyn@gmail.comWATCH ON YOUTUBE This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashtynwashington.substack.com

From Herod back to Pilate to Golgotha to the tomb....

Humanity is torn down to the ground at the cross. We are revealed to be the sinners we are. Cowards, like the disciples. Helpless, like the women on Golgotha. Indifferent, like the crowds. Self-righteous, like the religious leaders. Cruel and callous, like Pilate and the soldiers. A good and all powerful God should fix this. But “fix” means to start over. Everything must die.  Including God's Son. Support the showCheck us out at ascensionlutheran.ca and intheway.org.

The deaths of JesusMark 15 21-41Being the earliest account, we would expect Mark to be the simplest, with the least detail.This account contains the key elements we are familiar with, Simon of Cyrene (who the hell is this guy anyway and why is he not mentioned anywhere else?) It feels like this is an inserted character to help create the narrative of Jesus being special. Even with early accounts we have suspicious detail. Has anyone ever pinpointed where Golgotha is?There is the familiar bit about Jesus' clothes being divided up. The note about Jesus being king of the Jews.The two people crucified with Jesus are called rebels. They both mocked him.All versions have the sun darkening, some suggest this is an eclipse, but that's not possible because of the length of time indicated and the point in the moons phase when Passover happens. The temple curtain being torn is also in all accounts.Reading Marks account, it's easy to see how even early versions of stories will contain fictionalised detail.Matthew 27 32-55Matthew is very similar to Mark, much of it considered to be a straight copy. Yet even here we see new details being inserted.The note about being king of the Jews gains words, it is placed above Jesus' head. Jesus gets two drinks. The mocking of Jesus has more words, those being crucified with him are still rebels and they also both still mock him.The tearing of the temple curtain isn't enough, so an earthquake is added, but that's still not enough, so rocks are split and dead people come back to life. I wonder why the earthquake didn't topple the crosses.This time it's not the centurion who declares him the son of god, but multiple people who were there watching.Luke 23 26-49Jesus gains a few lines of dialogue during the journey to the crucifixion. And while he is on the cross. We are introduced to the phrase "father forgive them for they know not what they do", you'd think that such a memorable phrase would have been included in all accounts. The mocking of Jesus has changed. The notice above his head has changed, again.We also have the significant change of only one of those being crucified with Jesus mocking him. You'd think that all accounts would have a detail as critical as this. This is exactly the sort of difference that indicates a narrative that is evolving over time.The post death phrase recognising Jesus as being righteous is back to just the centurion saying it. The earthquake has disappeared, but Jesus death is a little more dramatic. It's this kind of subtle detail differences that lead scholars to suggest that those who wrote Luke and Matthew copied from Mark. Each using Mark as a base and adding their own embellishments. John 19 16-36Simon of Cyrene is dropped, as though he's taking too much attention from Jesus and instead Jesus carried his own cross.The note is still there, the text has changed again, and this time it's in multiple languages to really drive the point home. The writers obviously could not agree on what it was that had been written about Jesus. Pilot gets a chance to justify what he wrote. Who had a contact with the chief priests to find this out? Yet another detail that feels like it's inserted fiction.The separating of Jesus clothes gains new detail. What happened to that untorn garment, that would have been very valuable. There is extra detail testing for the death of Jesus with the spear in his side. This is a crucial detail that seems to be forgotten by the earlier accounts, is this another addition?When you read the different accounts of Jesus crucifixion and death, there is clear progression in the narrative, details are added to increase drama and mundane parts are removed. This is exactly the kind of changes that happen when stories evolve over years and decades of retelling.This is why I, and others, simply can not accept the gospels, or the bible as anything other than a human book telling human stories.

Good Friday Old Testament Isaiah 52:13-53:12 See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him --so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals-- so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.   Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account.   Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.   He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.   Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. The Response Psalm 22 Deus, Deus meus 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? * and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; * by night as well, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are the Holy One, * enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 Our forefathers put their trust in you; * they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 They cried out to you and were delivered; * they trusted in you and were not put to shame. 6 But as for me, I am a worm and no man, * scorned by all and despised by the people. 7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; * they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, 8 "He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; * let him rescue him, if he delights in him." 9 Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, * and kept me safe upon my mother's breast. 10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; * you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, * and there is none to help. 12 Many young bulls encircle me; * strong bulls of Bashan surround me. 13 They open wide their jaws at me, * like a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; * my heart within my breast is melting wax. 15 My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; * and you have laid me in the dust of the grave. 16 Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; * they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. 17 They stare and gloat over me; * they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing. 18 Be not far away, O Lord; * you are my strength; hasten to help me. 19 Save me from the sword, * my life from the power of the dog. 20 Save me from the lion's mouth, * my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls. 21 I will declare your Name to my brethren; * in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. 22 Praise the Lord, you that fear him; * stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob's line, give glory. 23 For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them; * but when they cry to him he hears them. 24 My praise is of him in the great assembly; * I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him. 25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: * "May your heart live for ever!" 26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, * and all the families of the nations shall bow before him. 27 For kingship belongs to the Lord; * he rules over the nations. 28 To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; * all who go down to the dust fall before him. 29 My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; * they shall be known as the Lord's for ever. 30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn * the saving deeds that he has done. The Epistle Hebrews 10:16-25 The Holy Spirit testifies saying, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. The Gospel John 18:1-19:42 Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced." After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

A gruesome aticle in the Archeological Study Bible details the horrors of crucifixion. As you remember what Jesus did for you on the Cross atop of Golgotha, may you be overwhelmed by the love which held Him fast to such a horrific instrument of death. ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (04/17/25), Hank resumes his overview of Holy Week with Holy Thursday, the epicenter of the divine narrative. A narrative that begins with the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. If Adam and Eve had rejected the serpent, they would have eaten from the Tree of Life, and the Tree of Knowledge would not have been withheld from them. Instead, they were exiled from the Edenic garden and from traversing the slope leading upward toward the peak of deification. Thankfully, the narrative does not end there. For in the panoply of history, a Second Adam clothed himself in fallen humanity. It was above all in his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead that Christ returned humanity to the life of Eden. This then, is the great arc of the biblical narrative. From the tree of life in the Edenic garden to the tree of life in the eternal garden. An arch that finds its apex with the Eucharistic bounty spilling forth from the trodden grapes of Golgotha's hill. The Last Supper that we commemorate on Holy Thursday constitutes the central mystery of the Church. It is the source and zenith of Church life. By it, we are changed from human multiplicity to one body in Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Within the Eucharistic assembly, divine life flows into us and penetrates the fabric of our humanity. The future life is infused into the present one and is blended with it, so that our fallen humanity may be transformed into the glorified humanity of the new Adam, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"CHRYSALIS COMMUNITY""Gamblers at Golgotha"

“They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, ‘Hail! King of the Jews!’ And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.” (Matthew 27:28–30 NLT) The list of assaults and indignities Jesus suffered after His arrest is long. A temple guard slapped Him during His trial before Annas (see John 18:22). Members of the Sanhedrin spit in His face, beat Him with their fists, and slapped Him for telling the truth about who He was, which they considered blasphemy (see Matthew 26:62–67). Herod and his soldiers mocked and ridiculed Him (see Luke 23:11). Roman soldiers placed a crown made of thorn branches on His head, mocked Him, spit on Him, and hit Him in the head with a reed stick (see Matthew 27:27–30). Pilate had him flogged with a leather whip studded with shards of lead (see Matthew 27:26). Near death already from His beatings and torture, Jesus was forced to carry a heavy crossbeam to Golgotha, the site of His crucifixion (see John 19:17). Jesus’ suffering fulfilled prophecies Isaiah had made hundreds of years earlier. “I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6 NLT). “But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man” (Isaiah 52:14 NLT). With this Good Friday perspective in mind, let’s look at the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 16:24. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (NLT). Some people will say, “That’s my cross to bear,” when they’re talking about a burden or an annoyance they must put up with. But that’s not what Jesus was talking about. To “take up your cross” is to be willing to sacrifice everything, even your life, to follow Him. Jesus understood that not many people are willing to do that. During His earthly ministry, He drew crowds wherever He went. Some people liked what they heard and saw and followed Him. Some of them hoped that He would fulfill their expectations of the Messiah. Some wanted to see miracles. And some just wanted free food. They weren’t interested in taking up crosses. Jesus’ command weeds out the pretenders. It also challenges those of us who are genuine in our desire to follow Him to examine our faith and ask some hard questions. Would I be willing to sacrifice my reputation to follow Christ? Would I be willing to lose my job? My friends? My family? My life? Reflection question: What does “taking up your cross” and following Jesus look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. We are taking a short break from Ecclesiastes to celebrate Easter with some unique devotionals to prepare our hearts for this week in history. Our text today is Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5 More Than Wood and Nails The cross is everywhere. We wear it on necklaces, see it in churches, and even use it as home décor. But in Jesus' time, the cross was nothing to be admired. It was a brutal instrument of execution—reserved for the worst criminals. When Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha, it wasn't just wood that weighed Him down. It was the weight of sin—yours and mine. Every betrayal, every lie, every lustful thought, every act of pride, selfishness, and hatred—all of it pressed upon His shoulders. We often speak of Jesus dying for us, but do we really grasp what that means? He was mocked so we could be accepted. He was beaten so we could be healed. He was forsaken so we would never be abandoned. He was pierced so we could be set free. This was not a symbolic act. It was real. It was gruesome. And it was necessary. The Cross Was Our Judgment Sin demands justice. A holy God cannot simply ignore it. If God were to shrug at sin, He would cease to be just. But instead of pouring out judgment on us, He placed it on His Son. This was the great exchange—the innocent for the guilty. Jesus took our punishment so we could receive His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He wasn't just talking about His suffering. He was declaring that the debt of sin had been paid in full. Nothing left to add. Nothing left to prove. Carrying Our Own Cross Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The cross wasn't just His burden—it's ours too. Not to pay for sin (only He could do that), but to die to ourselves. To die to our selfish desires. To die to our love for the world. To die to anything that competes with Jesus as our greatest love. Salvation is free, but following Jesus will cost you everything. The question is, are you willing to carry your cross? This Easter, don't just observe the cross—embrace it. Jesus didn't suffer and die so we could remain the same. He calls us to follow Him, to surrender, and to live in the freedom He purchased with His blood. So, will you lay down your sin, your pride, your plans—and take up your cross? Will you step into the life He died to give you? If today is the day you choose to follow Jesus, or if you're ready to renew your commitment, don't keep it to yourself. Let us know in the comments, or reach out—we'd love to walk this journey with you. #TakeUpYourCross #ItIsFinished #EasterHope ASK THIS: What does Isaiah 53:5 reveal about the weight of Jesus' sacrifice? How does Jesus' suffering change the way you view your own sin? What does it mean for you personally to "take up your cross daily"? How is God calling you to surrender more of your life to Him today? DO THIS: Embrace the cross—not just as a symbol, but as a call to surrender your life fully to Jesus. PRAY THIS: Jesus, thank You for bearing the punishment I deserved and for offering me freedom through Your sacrifice. Help me to daily take up my cross, surrendering my will to Yours. Amen. PLAY THIS: The Power of the Cross.

Matthew 27:11–54Jesus Before Pilate[11] Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” [12] But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. [13] Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” [14] But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.The Crowd Chooses Barabbas[15] Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. [16] And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. [17] So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” [18] For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. [19] Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” [20] Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. [21] The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” [22] Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” [23] And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified[24] So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” [25] And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” [26] Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.Jesus Is Mocked[27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. [28] And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, [29] and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” [30] And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. [31] And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.The Crucifixion[32] As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. [33] And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), [34] they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. [35] And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. [36] Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. [37] And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” [38] Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. [39] And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads [40] and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” [41] So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, [42] “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. [43] He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” [44] And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

{ILS} The Masters Tournament The stunning beauty and difficulty of the golf holes The extraordinary effort to make the flowers bloom The expectations for the patrons Trash management - wrappers on the sandwiches {SCR} Luke 19:28 After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29 As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. 30 He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?' just say, ‘Its master needs it.'” 32 Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said. {MPT} Jesus was born among simple animalsThe master needs your stall {MPT} Jesus was called people from simple villagesThe master needs your skill set {MPT} Jesus entered town on a simple animalThe master needs a ride {MPT} Jesus walked to Golgotha with a simple manThe master needs your help {SCR} Luke 19:33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “Its master needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. 36 As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road.37 As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. 38 They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” {MPT} No debate after one question and one answer Picture 1 - Because it is for the MasterWhat can we attribute that immediate understanding to? Picture 2 - The incredible network that builds in the villages and countryside  {SCR} Luke 19:39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.” {MPT} The beauty and structure is being dismantled How would you describe facial expressions in the painting? Security plans Political plans All delicately orchestrated Religious Plans Has been whispered in the countryside - will now be declared in the city Animal  People All deliberately gathered Savior

The Bridegroom calls for us to meet him on the "mountain of myrrh", Golgotha. Will we let him draw us in His footsteps? He has already climbed this mountain. There is no suffering, no trial or tribulation we endure alone. He Who has already conquered sin and death is with us; He has gone before us.Encounter the love of Christ the Bridegroom and learn more about God's divine love song, the Song of Songs, at Hopesgarden.comHope's Garden | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Today’s Bible Verse: ““Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).” - John 19:17

That, says the scriptures, THE CROSS is an:OFFENSE.The meaning, the thought, the application of the cross is indeed an offense to the NATURAL MAN. That is, the man or woman who has no belief in Christianity. This natural person, man or woman, is offended by the notion of the cross. In fact, this anti-Christian person is offended by anything about the cross, including the blood of Jesus Christ.For Christians, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, was the act of the son of God who laid down his life for mankind, for the sins of man and woman, and without, says the scriptures, this shedding of blood there is:NO REMISSION FOR SIN.None at all.But the concept of sin generally and the need of humankind to accept that propitiation for sin is offensive, even mythological. Some critics, atheistic, even go so far as to call the crucifixion and the shedding of blood:BARBARIC.They go back to the Old Testament, to the very book of Genesis, where there was a sacrifice of an animal, the shedding of that animal's blood as atonement, remission for sins, declaring that to be barbaric as well. But, again, for Christians, without the shedding of blood, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, there is no remission for sins, none at all. Sin and blood, and of course crucifixion, say the natural man and woman, is ridiculous mythology and stokes the passions of these anti-Christians in this day and age, perhaps as never before.But sin, the coming short of the glory of God is indeed a reality. In fact, it is everywhere in deed and in heart. Evil is a reality, and there really is no cure for it, except ONE! And that is the saving grace of our Lord clearly manifested to us at Calvary, Golgotha, THE CROSS. Thank God for the cross and Christ!Jesus of Nazareth was tried before Pilate, and the verdict was:I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM!But the mob cried out:CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!Pilate, politician that he was, honored the tradition of the time, to release a prisoner to them and Pilate chose Barrabus over Jesus, so much for justice.To Calvary, he went. Weakened as he was, Simon of Cyrene was conscripted by the Romans to carry the cross of Christ and the Golgotha drama began. Nails were driven into his hands and feet, and there he hung, suffering, parched with a terrible thirst, the crown of thorns on His head causing his blood to drip and his spirit to yearn for the end. He felt all alone, even abandoned by His Father, as he took upon himself the sins of the world, of you and me. In that lonely state, he cried out:MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?But then, mercifully, it was over. And his parting words were:IT IS FINISHED!That ultimate act of redemption was accomplished once and for all, for all mankind, for you and for me. There were those at the time who saw the event, witnessed the horrible act of Roman crucifixion, and watched the innocent Jesus of Nazareth suffer. They witnessed his body taken down from that cross, and the man Joseph, wrapping it in fine linen and laying the precious body of Jesus Christ in that very own and special tomb.That was Friday, but then came Sunday. On the third day, this son of the living God, with the power of God, rose from the dead, and accomplished the greatest event in human history:THE RESURRECTION.Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o'er his foes. He arose the victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. Blessed are we, by the millions and millions, who have never seen but who believe, nonetheless.BLESSED ARE WE!And we are indeed, for Gentile and Jew, anyone for that matter, all humankind, can have the incredible benefits of the crucifixion and the resurrection, a life of reconciliation here and life eternal there. Death is destroyed, for there now is no more death. We who believe will live eternally with Him so that the life we now live is redeemed, cleansed, and forgiven by His BLOOD. And we will be raised like HIM in our very own resurrection morning to know HIM and to live eternally with HIM.Thank God for that third day. Life here and now is one of joy, unspeakable rejoicing, praise, worship, and thanksgiving because of this great offense, the cross of Jesus Christ, the crucifixion, and the resurrection.So, my fellow Christians, on Easter Sunday and every other day, may we praise God for Jesus of Nazareth, and:THANK GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!

Living Way Community Church

Send us a textDownload the Episode Guide!How can we boldly proclaim that Calvary is enough in a world constantly demanding more? In this episode, let me take you on a rich, multi-layered journey from Golgotha to your heart as we explore the power and meaning behind the place, the sacrifice, and the impact of Jesus' crucifixion. Anchored in Scripture and inspired by Brooke Ligertwood's compelling lyrics in her song "Calvary's Enough," we will slow down and soak in the truth of what happened on the cross—and why it still matters today.Key Points"Calvary" is a Place and a Symbol: The word Calvary is Latin for Golgotha, meaning the skull. While we often refer to it symbolically, it's helpful to remember it is an actual location where Christ was crucified.The Power of the Sacrifice: The episode guides listeners from the literal place of Calvary, through the crucifixion event, to the profound spiritual implications of Christ's sacrifice.Learning for Learning's Sake: It's okay to explore Scripture with curiosity even when there's no immediate application—this builds a foundation for future understanding.Jesus's Last Words Matter: “It is finished” (John 19:30) refers to the completed work of atonement—the payment of our sin debt.Christ Our High Priest: The Gospels and Hebrews reference Jesus seated at the right hand of God, which shows the fulfillment of His role post-Calvary.Response Matters: Like Paul, we are called to "resolve to know nothing but Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). This is a deliberate decision to center our lives on the gospel.Don't Idolize Messengers: Paul confronted the church in Corinth about elevating personalities over the message of Christ crucified, a reminder that is still relevant today.Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)Listen to ScriptureRepetition Cross-referencing Compare & ContrastUse Your Imagination Ask QuestionsStudy in ContextAdditional ResourcesLyrics - New Release TodayWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “It is finished”? - GotQuestion.org ArticleBaker Encyclopedia of the Bible - Place of the Skull Article - Logos Bible Software Affiliate LinkLearn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my all-time favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate LinkThis Week's ChallengeRead or listen to all four accounts of the scenes leading up to and at Calvary. Use the Episode Guide to help. It's free and uncomplicated. It's just a one-page PDF to guide you. After you've read or listened to the gospels a time or two, consider what details pop out to you. This is a good place to meditate, follow cross-references, and jot down observations. Make observations about the place of Calvary, the details of what happened there, its significance and meaning, and potential responses to it. At some point, hop over to 1 Corinthians chapters 1-2 to see why Paul resolved to know nothing but Christ and Him cPurchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today! Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

40 days before His death and resurrection, Jesus went up a mountain with Peter, James, and John, where He was transfigured—His face and clothes glowing with dazzling light. Moses and Elijah appeared, talking to Jesus about His departure. A voice from a cloud declared that Jesus is the one to listen to, revealing that He fulfilled the law and the prophets perfectly and holds greater authority than Moses and Elijah. This event, known as the Transfiguration, shows Jesus' divine nature and foreshadows His sacrifice at Golgotha. It teaches believers to be transformed into Christ's likeness by engaging with God's Word, resisting temptation, repenting, and living in prayer and worship, laying down our lives for the One who gave His for our salvation.