I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary

I BELIEVE IN A HILL CALLED MOUNT CALVARY

READING: Mark 15:33-36

INTRO: If you listen carefully you will hear a baby crying. He is the first child of Mary and Joseph and is so unlike all other babies, because of origin and conception. Yet, he is exactly like all babies. He cries and will do so many more times. Like the time he was playing tag and skinned his knee, and then there was the day he fell from a sycamore tree. Mary could hear him from a long distance.

But now listen to this cry. It is piercing, chilling, it causes us to feel so helpless. It is not the loudest cry but the content says it all: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" Have you ever wondered where our dying Lord placed the emphasis in this forsaken cry? Was it on the reason(why?) or the one forsaking(God- you?) or the forsaken one (Jesus-me?) If we belong to Him we will have opportunity to ask Him. Why? Song: I Believe In A Hill Called Mt. Calvary. Since you are here today, it is likely you believe that too. If you do not, would you ask someone you respect why he or she believes in Mt. Calvary?

THE FORSAKEN CRY IS DEEPLY INFORMATIVE

It Is NOT About Fear Of Physical Pain

NOT about dying by asphyxiation
These could bring unreasonable responses but the emphasis in the Bible is not there.

This cry is NOT a response to ill treatment

He was ridiculed, and taunted on the cross
Soldiers made sport of him, "Hail King!"
Not even the slap on the face by an official.

This does NOT signify admission of a lost cause

Although all his disciples deserted him One betrayed and one denied know him.
A lesser being might say, "I was wrong and led others astray all my life. I see the writing...wall."

TRANSTION: I Peter 2:21-24

2. HIS CRY REPRESENTS A SPIRITUAL CONCERN

II Corinthians 5:21
Death would mean separation from the Father
John 3:16.17

CONCLUSION

The Father's Decision
After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's preacher once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast-approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."
The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life.... to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.
As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."
By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth.
"The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.
Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."
"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see ... I was the son's friend."