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Jesus Dies on Calvary
This chapter is based on Matthew 27:31-53; Mark 15:20-38; Luke
23:26-46; John 19:16-30.
“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they
crucified Him.”
The news of Christ’s condemnation had spread, and people of
all classes and ranks flocked toward the place of crucifixion. The
priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to trouble Christ’s
followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and the disciples
and believers joined the crowd.
The cross that had been prepared for Barabbas was placed on
Jesus’ bleeding shoulders. Two companions of Barabbas were to
die at the same time, and crosses were placed on them also. Since
the Passover supper with His disciples, Jesus had taken neither food
nor drink. He had endured the anguish of betrayal and had seen His
disciples forsake Him. He had been taken to Annas, to Caiaphas,
to Pilate, to Herod, then again to Pilate. All that night, there had
been scene after scene to test a person to the utmost. Christ had
not failed. He had borne Himself with dignity. But when after the
second scourging the cross was laid on Him, human nature could
bear no more. He fell fainting beneath the burden.
The crowd showed no compassion. They taunted Him because
He could not carry the heavy cross. Again the soldiers placed the
burden on Him, and again He fell. His persecutors saw that it was
impossible for Him to carry His burden further. Who would bear
the humiliating load? The Jews could not, because the defilement
would prevent them from keeping the Passover.
At this time a stranger, Simon from Cyrene, coming in from the
country, met the crowd. He stopped in astonishment at the scene,
and as he expressed compassion, they took hold of him and placed
the cross on his shoulders.
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