A visit to Calvary’s Cross
By Pastor Ian September
Leaflet: “When it becomes a deep rooted revelation of what Jesus Christ did for you at Calvary, you will never walk away.”
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16; John 15:13; Eph. 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:23-29
1 Cor. 11:28
Good morning church, on this very special Sunday, no ordinary Sunday, but the greatest day in history; He has risen, just as He said he would! As the Scripture said He would.
Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, the most important Sunday on the Christian calendar, and we can know for sure, that He is alive, the stone’s been rolled away, death could not hold Him, and the grave could not contain Him! Hallelujah!
So, as we look at our sermon topic today, we should understand that it is important to visit Calvary often, to remind ourselves of the finished work on the cross, where Jesus Christ the Messiah, laid down His life, voluntarily & completely so that you and I may be washed, healed & made whole!
The name Calvary comes from the Latin word meaning “the place of skulls” and the Greek word Golgotha, in its original meaning “the hill of skulls”.
But the most meaningful aspect of Calvary or Golgotha, is what happened there, nearly 2000 years ago! Isaiah 53:5 says this about the event that brought us life. (Read from verse 4).
Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) – 4Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God stricken by Him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
This all happened on Calvary hill, where our Saviour was tortured beyond recognition, bruised & broken for our transgressions, sin & shame… and with that in mind, when we as believers look at the cross, we will discover & be aware of our sinfulness, short-comings & iniquities!
Can I just say, that you cannot look at the empty cross & not be challenged, church.
It is quite normal for people to conceal, ignore, excuse, justify & even explain their sins, but if you fully understand the wondrous cross, and Jesus’s body on that cross, you will find it almost impossible not to confess & forsake our sins!
When we visit Calvary, we will discover the very nature of God:
John 3:16 (NIV) – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
It’s on Calvary’s Hill that God reveals His amazing grace & mercy towards sinners, giving us what we do not deserve, and not, not giving us what we do deserve!
The Bible teaches us in John 15:13 (NIV) – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Jesus laid down His life, although He had legions at His disposal, He said: “Father, not my will, but your will be done”! Are you prepared to lay down your life for Him, church?
It is sad, but true, that every rejecter of God’s love, mercy & grace is crucifying the Son of God all over again (think about that…).
When we visit Calvary, or Golgotha, we will find that the world’s only hope & future, is in Christ alone!
You see, many people, including myself, went to great extremes, to find happiness, love, joy and peace….. Some will spend millions in pursuing the ultimate, but when we visit Calvary, we will find that the “ultimate” is just a confession away! Ultimate love, joy, peace & happiness is found at the foot of the cross, on your knees before the Almighty God!
When we visit Calvary, we will find inspiration for serving God & others!
Jesus’ death on the cross, must surely be one of the greatest acts of self-denial ever! The spotless Lamb of God, Christ the Messiah without blemish, sin or shame laying it all down, so that we may have it all!
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:1 (Amp) – Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father] (Be imitators of Christ).
So the questions would naturally be: are you prepared to give yourself, deny yourself, and surrender yourself, for the Kingdom of God & others?
I would now like to spend some time on the Lord’s Supper, or communion, as instructed by the Lord Himself, and especially as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, after His body was physically broken & bruised, He appeared in the flesh to His disciples & many others… just as He said He would.
1 Corinthians 11: 23-29 (NIV) – 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgement on themselves.
After reading vs. 24, it is clear that the Lord’s Supper is a time to remember, we ought to remember what He did for each one of us, on Calvary’s Hill.
Communion as an act to remember Him! We have this memorial service, to honour our Great God & to commemorate His great deeds, and to call Him affectionately to remembrance.
The Lord’s Supper holds deep significance to all believers, and should not be taken casually or its power under estimated!
The Lord’s Supper is also a time of shared or mutual fellowship with other believers, who all bear testimony that Christ is the Messiah, is the Son of the living God!
The Lord’s Supper or table, is also a proclamation, and as you partake of the elements, you proclaim to your own heart, and to others, your faith in God & His risen Son.
The Lord’s supper is also a time of self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28) as we examine ourselves as to the manner & motive in which we participate & celebrate the risen Christ.
The Lord’s supper is also a loud prophesy, as you silently prophesy the second coming of God, for He is coming back again, amen?
As we then church, as believers, partake in the Lord’s Supper, let us focus our minds on that most significant event in all of history, Christ rising from the dead, and our relationship with Him!
As we visit Calvary, the hill of skulls, let us inform our minds, our intellect & emotions, concerning God’s great Agape’ love for us all, and allow this experience to stir our faith in Him, and cause us to love & trust Him more intimately!
Let us make decisions during this experience to reflect on our lives, change our ways & bring glory & honour to the One, who descended into greatness, conquering Calvary’s Hill!
Because He died for us, let us also now live for Him! So it’s with humbleness of hearts, gratitude of souls, with confession of every known sin and a plea for assistance to forsake all evil, let us now partake in the Lord’s Supper, communion as believers!
Remembering the brokenness of His body & the pouring out of His blood for each & every one of us!
