“And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ””
Matthew 27:33-38, 40-43 NKJV
The full measure of devotion
Next to the incarnation, I struggle with the willingness of my Savior to endure the pain and suffering inflicted upon Him, to save His fallen creation from hell, and bring it unto Himself.
Jesus took no shortcuts, doing nothing to lessen the brutality of His path to the cross. He as steadfast, demonstrating for all those who would follow, the example of a full measure of devotion.
As I continued through Matthew, I got to the part where Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall. With some research I came to the used in conclusion that there a re many opinions about what the gall was. The story I had always heard, was the gall was likely myrrh, a spice used in burial, but also as a means of reducing pain.
Jesus refused the drink. Though I don’t know this, I like to think that Jesus wanted nothing to detract from His sacrifice, for in every bit of suffering, and every bit of pain, He was enduring the cross, that His sacrifice would stand as a testament of His love for us.
Just as His many prophets sent before Him, He went to the cross, with a willingness to die for this great salvation. But as their deaths pointed to that moment, when earth met heaven, His was the summation of the finished work.
Those who follow Jesus are those who have been given a great legacy, of men and women who, by faith, have been willing to give all. Like them, we too will be called upon to give that full measure of devotion.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
Brothers and sisters, our Lord could have sought the comfort of the gall, He could have done any number of things to lesson the suffering, but He endured, knowing full beforehand of all that would transpire.
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.””
Matthew 26:36-39 NKJV
“And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?””
Matthew 26:51-54 NKJV
Jesus went to the cross, for it was the only way that we could be saved.
For us there is coming a season, and for many around the world, that season is right now, when we too will be called upon for that full measure of devotion. Yesterday, those who follow such things, marked the anniversary of the murder of the team sent to reach the Auca Indians. All five— Jim Elliot , Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian—were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. These men gave all for the Gospel. Incredibly, their wives and children went in a year after them and the work was miraculously done.
Soon there will be anew commissioning, of Christians, filled and prompted by the Holy Spirit, who will go into all the world to bring the Gospel. This revival will be so amazing that it will shake the foundations of the earth. In light of this, the beast will commission the Harlot to destroy the body of Christ.
In that time, those who will endure will themselves demonstrate the full measure of devotion.
““And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’”
Revelation 2:8-11 NKJV
There is a crown awaiting us, my people, let us rejoice as we go about the Father’s business. May we not opt for for gall of this world, the comforting poison that serves to deaden us, but let us go forth, fully devoted to the cause of Christ.
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Musings from an idle mind 
The facts of one Corinthians 11:23, that Jesus knew he would betray be betrayed, and yet he took the bread and “gave thanks.“ That rocked me a couple of weeks ago in my prayers. What an awesome savior we have, and what an unworthy Recipient we are. I agree Bernie, it is so humbling that Christ drank the cup of our wrath completely.
Would you please pray for Gospel Center recovery – GCR@Saylorville tonight, as our teacher goes over Hebrew 6?
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