DEVOTION

Theme: Golgotha - The Place of a Skull

Text: Luke 23:39-46

39 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.”

44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

The place of a skull as the name implies is a place of the dead. Christ's Golgotha experience have lot to offer us. He who knows no sin has been crucified. The innocent sacrificed for the guilty (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the other hand, some guilty men were equally to be crucified for their sins.

How was your Golgotha journey today? Let's delve into the experience. Many a time, when you come to the place of a skull in life (difficult moments in life), there are two things that come to play. You either become a blasphemer or a man/woman of faith. The blasphemer, often looses faith and condemns God for not acting promptly to his/her call. Do you remember when you wondered if God will ever show up in that trial, storm, sickness, and name them? Your response usually is God doesn't really care and isn't concerned about your well-being. Unfortunately you'll only looking at the current situation (beginning) not the the end result. That's what the blasphemer on the cross did. He asked Christ to save Himself and them if really He is the Christ. Yes Christ could save but at that moment, He's not done yet. Do you miss the timing of God? You miss it if you don't understand what's His plans are for you and that exactly what happened to that criminal. He had no idea what plans are ahead after death.

The criminal with faith understood God must be reverend not mocked. So he rebuke the other criminal. He acknowledged he deserves to pay for his sins. However he also asked for mercy: remember me when You come into Your kingdom. His faith redeemed him and Christ gave him an assurance of Paradise. Do you make mockery of the gospel of Christ or do you encourage such blasphemy? If you do, this is the time to repent and become penitent.

The Golgotha encounter also brought about liberation. Our High Priest, Jesus Christ offered a sacrifice of atonement giving us grace to approach the throne room of God without fear. The veil that has been in the temple has been removed tearing from the top to bottom to indicate its the Hand work of the Lord.

Finally, who do you entrust your spirit and soul to? Before Christ breath His last, He entrusted His spirit into the hands of the Father. Likewise you must surrender your life to God  totally. Commit all your ways to the Lord and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:6).

Prayer: I look up to Golgotha where my Saviour was crucified, to redeem me. God, may I not miss out of this redemption in Jesus name. AMEN!