Calvary ~ Dec. 27

Some things are almost too painful to think about. To see our Savior mocked and murdered is one such thing. And yet, through the scriptures, we should visit Calvary from time to time. We must never forget Jesus died so that we might live and live more abundantly.

Today I read:

Matthew 27: 11-50

11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered ^anothing.

13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15 Now at that feast the governor was ^awont to ^brelease unto the people a prisoner, whom they ^cwould.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for ^aenvy they had ^bdelivered him.

19 ¶ When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a ^adream because of him.

20 But the chief ^apriests and elders ^bpersuaded the multitude that they should ^cask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be ^acrucified.

23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out ^athe more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24 ¶ When Pilate saw that he ^acould prevail nothing, but that rather a ^btumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this ^cjust person: see ye to it.

25 Then answered all the people, and said, His ^ablood be on us, and on our children.

26 ¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had ^ascourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the ^acommon hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

28 And they stripped him, and put on him a ^ascarlet robe.

29 ¶ And when they had ^aplatted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a ^breed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

30 And they ^aspit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Luke 23: 33-38

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 ¶ Then ^asaid Jesus, Father, ^bforgive them; for they know not what ^cthey do. And they parted his ^draiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them ^aderided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the^bchosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also ^amocked him, coming to him, and offering him ^bvinegar,

37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE ^aKING OF THE ^bJEWS.

Mark 15: 29 - 34

29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him ^areviled him.

33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was ^adarkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ^aEloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou ^bforsaken me?

Song for today: "There is a Green Hill Far Away"

For me, today is a quiet day. I spend some time reading the accounts of the crucifixion. In the past, we have watched "The Lamb of God" video (you can get a free copy here). Other years we have read "The Tale of the Three Tree" and talked about how the Atonement has changed us. I always turn off the Christmas lights on this day.

For many, a reflection of Calvary might mar the Christmas celebration and I thought about that as I was putting these devotionals together. It is a hard day. Tears are near the surface throughout the day as I read and think and pray. Yet this day is filled with tender, personal, sacred moments. I have come to look forward to the two days after Christmas to visit the Atonement personally. Today, I am grateful that this year it falls on Sunday.