Up Calv’ry’s mountain, one dreadful morn,
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the cross,
That He might save them from endless loss.”
–Avis B. Christiansen
We have no real concept of “that day”! Was Jesus just enduring the pain and torture as He walked up that road to Calvary? Did He pray, “Father just help me take one more step?” over and over? Was He thinking “soon, soon, this will all be over?” Each bloody step He took was for you and me, and brought Him closer and closer to death. The real pain He must soon endure was not the tremendous pain of the cross, but the agony of man’s sin. Think of it–every sin from creation to October 26, 2017, and beyond was placed upon Him.
“‘Father forgive them!’ thus did He pray,
E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away;
Praying for sinners while in such woe–
No one but Jesus ever loved so.”
Jesus did not hop and skip up that dreadful road, but He did endure the crucifixion with joy. (Hebrews 12:2) See, we have a wrong concept of joy. Joy is a fulfillment of a mission, of a life purpose. Joy is not happiness, but at times happiness may be involved. Joy is seeing love fulfilled in its fullness. Jesus took upon Himself sin because of His great love. Remember, He is love.
“Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend,
How can my praises ever find end!
Through years unnumbered on heaven’s shore,
My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.
Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!
Seems I now see Him on Calvary’s tree;
Wounded and bleeding; for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding–dying for me!”
We sometimes think we have it tough. Woe is me, I am undone and nobody loves me. That is a lie, for the Christ who died on the cross loves you. His torture and crucifixion should convince us that we really do not have it so bad. All of that was done for us. That deed should be etched in our souls, and thus there should be continual praises going forth.
Calvary was personal for Jesus; Calvary should be personal for each of us. Yes, He died for the world, but He also died for me! Make it personal, realize that the God of the universe died for you; that Savior and Friend died for you. Make Him personal; make the cross personal.