The cross was a place of public cruelty.  It represented humiliation and it labelled an individual as a bad criminal.  Criminals hung on a cross that could be seen for miles.  This was the ultimate example of Roman justice.  When we think of Jesus being hung on the cross our mind is filled with the six long hours of cruelty that He endured.  It is hard for us to comprehend an innocent man taking this type of punishment willingly.  The place where the crucifixion took place was on a hill call Golgotha (which means the place of the Skull).  Sometimes we focus too much on the cruelty and forget the purpose for Jesus' suffering.  Everything that Jesus did and endured on the hill was for a greater plan.  He never forgot His mission.  Let us look at three lessons Jesus taught us from the hill.

First lesson from the hill is the perfect sacrifice.

...Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

                             Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

     Sacrifice was a part of Jewish life.  Animals had to be slaughtered by the priest as a payment for sin.  The animal's blood was sprinkled as a payment for sin.  Many sheep were slaughtered during the Passover.  A ritual that had to be done every year.  Many animals had to die.  Sometimes the animal sacrifice was very costly to a poor farmer.  He did not want to give up the best lamb without ailment.  In order to save money, the farmer gave the weakest lamb for sacrifice.  Something that did not cost him too much.  God hated this approach.  He wanted the best, not the cheapest.  A true sacrifice will cost you something:  time, money and commitment.

     God knew that a new sacrifice had to be made so He sent His only son.  Jesus grew up among us as the son of the living God.  He spoke about love, repentance and forgiveness during Roman occupation.  The majority of the Jewish population wanted a warrior not a prophet speaking about love.  After three years of ministry, Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples and eventually ended up hanging on a cruel cross.  All of these misfortunes were done according to plan.  He was innocent of every crime that he was slaughtered for.  He also was innocent of sin.  Every choice that He made was in step with the will of God.

     When Jesus died on the cross His blood did amazing things to benefit us today.  He became the ultimate sacrifice.  He thought of those that died in the past, present and future.  He thought about you.  He wanted your future to be bright.  He went to Hell and got the keys to Hell so that life would be perfect for you.  You will have a Heaven at the end of your life.  When Jesus died on the cross he eliminated the need for animal sacrifices.  He did it all on the cross.

Second lesson the the hill is the sin condition.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

                                                                     Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)

     God cannot look at sin.  It repulses him.  When Jesus was on the cross He took on the sins of the world.  This was a sad time for the Son of God.  This is a time when the relationship between God and Jesus was broken.  When He was on the cross He was alone.  He did this for someone very special: You!  The broken relationship must have made His heart ache for His heavenly home.  He went through the worst for your benefit.  With no regrets.  He willingly honoured His commitment.

     No matter what we do we cannot erase sin in our life.  Those things that we did against a Holy God.  We try our best to make the right choices but fail every time.  We can feel the weight of all those wrong decisions weighing heavily upon us.  From one generation to the next.  We are all stained with sin.  A black spot that is not easily removed.  Jesus took on all the sins of the world on the cross.  He covered the past, present and future with His blood.  He gave us a chance for freedom.

     We still have trouble dealing with the sin issue.  The matter did not go away and take a vacation.  We have missed the mark many times but we still have a chance to turn our life around.  He will cover you with His blood.  He will wrap His arms around you and help you stand.  He will give you a second chance.  Just tell Him all your failings and insecurities.  He is a good God.  He will set you free from your bondage of sin.

Third lesson from the hill is God's love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

                                                                   John 3:16 (NIV)

     God gave away what was most precious to Him.  His only Son.  There was no other way.  This is a love that goes beyond any concept that we have.  A love that tries to rescue the most underseving.  Those that are evil, ignorant and preoccupied...He died for them.  A love that expects nothing in return for all the sacrifices that were done.  A love that constantly reaches out to save those lost souls who have no hope.  We do not deserve the sacrifice of the cross.  God thought differently and gave us hope.

     Jesus left His heavenly home for a lowly earth status.  He gave up a kingdom for a cradle.  Throne rooms of worshipping angels for throngs of people that wanted to kill Him.  A palace for a cruel cross.  He became lower than low so that you could be raised up high.  All these things He gave up willingly.  Not kicking and screaming.  Not complaining every waking moment.  He did all these events mostly silenced and focused on His mission.

     Jesus made a path for us to follow.  His life became a pattern for our holiness.  He showed us how to face life and become victorious.  When we follow that path that Jesus made, we will find freedom.  We will always have Him helping us on our journey.  He will give us strength when we are weak.  Hope when doom seems evident.  Light when the darkness covers our life.  A key that will unlock any door to your life.  He will make your life better than you ever expected.  Let Him be a part of your life.  You will be glad that you did.

Conclusion

     The freedom from sin that I have is a result of what Jesus did on the hill many years ago.  I am eternally thankful for His love that changed my life.