Chapter 1 - Way to Calvary
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1,988 years ago, there was a man who did something for others, and it would change the course of human history. The entirety of the crucifixion of Jesus would have looked something like this - Most likely Jesus never slept the night leading up to His crucifixion. In the morning, Jesus was tied to a pillar and flogged with sticks and a special whip (the flagrum). The Roman flagrum had iron balls tied a few inches from the end of each leather thong on the whip. Sometimes, sharp sheep bones would be tied near the ends. The metal weights served to cause serious bruising, or contusions, and the leather of the flagrum cut into the skin. After only a few lashes, the depths of the cuts would reach into muscle tissue. A crown of thorns was then placed on Jesus' head to humiliate Him. He was then forced to carry the crossbeam from the prison inside the city to a location outside the city. The crossbeam rubbing against the torn flesh from the scourging as hemorrhagic shock set in. In the case of Jesus, His walk was to Calvary, about half a mile away from the inner city. Next were the nails that were used to nail the arms to the crossbeam. After He was nailed to the crossbeam, it was attached to the vertical beam. His feet were then nailed into the vertical beam, it was raised up and death awaited. Pulling down with His hands on the nails and pushing up on the nail with His feet to catch a single breath. It was six hours on the cross for sins that weren't His,...and He volunteered.
This,..was His gift to you.
Why
I wanted to let you guys know personally, why I need Jesus Christ as Savior of my life.....
God has given us the Ten Commandments to live by. I have broken Commandments 7, 8, & 9. I have lied, stolen something, and committed adultery. Matthew 5:28 says,.... "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." So by my own admission, I am a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart. Those things make me a sinner. So if God judges me by the Ten Commandments on judgement day, will I be guilty or innocent? I would be guilty. And the Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God wanted perfection.....but knowing that no one could attain it, he sent his son Jesus (Yeshua) to save us from our sins.
Think of it this way,.....I am in a courtroom and have been sentenced to death for breaking Commandments 7, 8, & 9......but then Jesus literally walks into the back of the courtroom and says "I'll pay his fine, and I'll pay it with my life" The judge says "ok" and you are charged with nothing and are free to go. Wouldn't you feel indebted to that person? After all, he did just save your life. An innocent man was mocked, brutalized, spit on, flogged, and crucified for your sins. He is your Savior and all that he asks is that you believe in him and declare him with your mouth (Romans 10:9). He is offering you the free gift of salvation (eternal life) and all you have to do is accept it.
God is a loving God but he is also a just God, and will one day punish the wicked and unrepentant. The "because I'm a good person, I'll go to heaven" assumption, is wishful thinking. Ephesians 2:8-9 assures us of this. There will be a lot of "good people" in hell. Why? Not because of their good deeds on earth, not because they gave money to the poor, or were friendly to everyone, not because they cared for grandma in her old age,.....but because they intentionally refused to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior. I will go into this topic in much greater detail in the coming chapters. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." (John 3:18) They will be in hell out of their own pride. Remember, God does not send anyone to hell, he simply honors their decision. Everyone is given free will,..the choice to accept or reject,..but there is only one person who can save you from an eternal separation from God and His name is Jesus Christ.
Many are deceived these days and continue in their religion not truly understanding who to trust in for their eternal salvation. Jesus Christ is the only one who can save you. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12
