Golgotha to Calvary

Closing out a series on Broken Chains earlier this month was enlightening and encouraging. The focus was on how God recycles people, situations, places, etc for good and His purpose.  The picture of Golgotha (the place of skulls) came to mind.  That is the hill on which Jesus was taken to to be crucified.

The soil of Golgotha has soaked up a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from criminals, friends, families, and onlookers. The air has an odor of despair, defeat, and death.  The landscape shows gloom and no life.  There are bone fragments mixed in with pebbles and stones laying on the ground.  There are dried up blood stains on those stones, bones, and soil.  There is an aura about Golgotha that exudes "THE END" ... "GIVE UP" ... and quite literally, "DEATH"! 

When we have those "dead" and devastated ares of our life, what do we see, feel, smell, and sense around us? Do we taste the bitterness of hurt? Do we smell the stink of decaying lives? Do we feel the pain of defeat? Do we see the despair in the eyes of people?

They thought taking Jesus to Golgotha would bring Him to the grand finale.  "Exit stage left" as they say on Broadway. The "place of skulls" was the final "resting" area for criminals found guilty in that day.  But wait ... there's hope even for Golgotha.  Because a day was coming that God had planned, before time began, to enter that place, that situation, that lifeless state and do something about it.  Jesus entered the picture.  Jesus was convicted ... but there was no fault in Him.  A holy God entered a devastated and unholy place.  A righteous God walked into the midst of the unrighteous and gave Himself up knowing the bigger picture. 

Is it our relationships with spouses, children, parents?  Is it our finances?  Is it our health?  Is it our emotions?  Is it the ministry God entrusted with us?  Is it our passion for God?  Is it our families?  Is it our marriages?  Is it our commitment to serve the body of Christ?  Is it our relationship with God? 

WHAT HAS NO LIFE RIGHT NOW?  LET THE RIGHTEOUS, HOLY, AND POWERFUL FATHER GOD, SON JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WALK INTO THOSE AREAS AND ALLOW HIM TO JUST RECYCLE IT FOR HIS PURPOSE AND GLORY! 

We dont talk about Golgotha anymore but we call it Calvary.  When we allow Jesus to come in and take over He will forever change the identity of our lives.  We are not sinners, defeated, sick, or poor, but we are redeemed, victorious, strong, and rich in Him. 

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil