I remember as a young boy, seeing for the first time, a picture (actually a painting) of the crucifixion. All that the painter conveyed in that horrible scene, really tore at my heart.
*The name "Calvary" occurs only once in our text (Luke 23:33) It comes from the Vulgate, where the Latin "calvaria" translates the Greek "kranion": Both words translate Aramaic "gulgota", the "Golgotha" of Matthew 27:33 meaning "skull" Three reasons for such a name: First, because skulls were found there. Second, because it was a place of execution. And third, because the site, looked like a skull. The place of Calvary was outside of Jerusalem, probably not far from the city gate.
As people came in, they could see the executions that took place.
But the most significant thing about Calvary, is that it was there, that Jesus died to pay for the sins of the world (including my sins, and your sins) It was there that He made the ultimate sacrifice to win the battle over sin, and eternal death. To be spiritually restored, and have the eternal blessings God has in store for us, we must come to Calvary,
and lay everything at the foot of the cross.
To say goodbye to the world, and yes to God, and His grace, through Jesus, His Son.
"At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my site, and now I am happy all the day." (Isaac Watts, Ralph E Hudson)
*Contributions from Eerdmans - New Bible Dictionary.
Photo: Dr. Arshad Febray