Passion: Three Nails and a Cross
Apr 4th, 2009 | layout by calvarychapel.dgt | Category: From Pastor Jo's Desk
Jesus was crucified not because He had to; He did it because He wanted to. He did it out of love. No one forced Him. He laid down His life voluntarily. He loved you so much He was willing to die in your place. I picture Him in my mind as He carries the cross on the way to Golgotha. But what He was carrying is much more than the cross. He carried the weight of the sins of the world on His shoulders. Remember how you felt when you were weighted down by the guilt of your sin. Now, multiply that guilt and shame times every man and woman who would ever live. That’s what Jesus carried.
Bleeding, gasping for air, lightheaded from loss of blood, Jesus stumbled down the Via Dolorosa until He was too weak to stand. Someone was pulled out of the crowd to carry the cross the rest of the way to Golgotha. All the while thousands upon thousands of angel warriors watched and waited for a signal. They were ready to stand at His side and defeat the forces of evil. But that signal never came. Jesus had to fight alone.
He was laid out on the cross. Large spikes were driven through His hands and feet into the wood. The cross was raised and then dropped rudely into the ground with a jerk that pulled at His flesh. He screamed in agony. Blood was everywhere. He could barely breathe. He was gasping for air. Naked and shamed. Bruised and bleeding. Pierced for our sins. Dying in our place. Hell was howling with laughter. The crowd was mocking. The Lamb of God was dying.
It was a pitiful sight. He had taken upon Himself everything - every sin. Every 
blow had been for a reason. Every stripe on His back, every drop of blood…there was a purpose for it all. Jesus fought off death until He knew the price was paid. When the deed was done, the Bible says Jesus lifted up His eyes toward heaven and let out a war cry that reverberated all the way to heaven. It seemed like an admission of defeat but it was really a victory cry. Jesus the Lamb of God summoned His last ounce of strength and shouted, “It is finished!” And He died.
Imagine what it must have been like to be all-powerful and do nothing. Jesus knew that the only way to win was to allow these things to happen. He could have stopped it at any moment. He could have fought back and sent those demons running. “He could have called ten thousand angels but He died alone, for you and me.” It was love for you and me that kept The Lamb of God on the cross when everything within Him wanted to come down and fight. But He knew he had to die in our place as a sinless sacrifice. Only by dying could He win a victory once and for all over sin. And you know what? HE DID WIN!
Now, what are you going to do about it? Could you say “No” to Him? Could you say “No” to His love? Today and throughout this passion week, remember Him and His love for you.
HI, this is great! A little piece of CCD- now I’m homesick! Keep posting the photos, the videos and the messages- they are an encouragement. Any possibility of podcasts for the Revelation study? Wish I could be there to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus with you all. May God again use the service to bring a great harvest of new life in Dumaguete City!
Hi Becky,
We will work on the Revelation podcasts, but, you know what? We are praying for God to open opportunities for us to have live streaming video of the Sunday worship service. Lolo Lloyd will be working on this…so maybe you can give him a call to encourage him to set it up asap! hehe…
We just had an Acoustic Night of Psalms last night and it was beautiful…be on the look out for pictures soon.
God bless!
From the CCD Website Team
ccdumaguete.com - da best. Keep it going!
Thanks
very interesting news, thanks for sharing….
Your most welcome!
Hey Calvary Chapel Dumaguete! I was just browsing the Calvary Chapel sites and I came accros here. It’s a very well done. Lot’s of updates and photos.
We miss you all.
The Shepards familly
Thank you Shepards family!
God bless!
CCD website team, good job! My husband found this site, and showed it to me. Now I miss home terribly…. God is good, He works is so many wonderful ways. This site is helpful for us CCD members who are outside Dumaguete to get connected with our beloved church… We are actively attending Calvary Chapel here in Ohio, still, there’s no place like home. Pls. keep on posting pictures. Powerful testimony, Ate Sara, pls. get well soon. God bless us all!
may Jesus Christ be forever exalted.