“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.” Mark 15.21-26
When you visit Israel, you will discover two potential crucifixion sites for Jesus. (Read more at https://allisrael.com/why-are-there-two-golgotha-sites). One is at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (4th century), and the other is the Garden Tomb (19th century). Reading the history of each from the article above will prove to be helpful. Both have arguments as to why they might be the place where Jesus was crucified and buried. But neither prove it 100%, and it’s not really important for precision at this point. We live by faith and not by sight!
However, the reason I mention these two sites is because I read that when Jesus was brought to a place called Golgotha, this is where they 1) offered him wine mixed with myrrh, 2) divided up his clothing, and 3) physically crucified him by nailing him to a cross. And upon this cross, they wrote the words, “King of the Jews.”
Golgotha was a physical place for Jesus. He was actually crucified there. And today, you can go to the Holy Land and visit these two sites. One is a more recent and beautiful garden with a rolling stone tomb, and the other is an ancient monument surrounded by a 1,500-year-old church, venerated by millions of Christians worldwide as being the original site of Jesus’ death and burial.
But as I said, in the end, it doesn’t truly matter where Golgotha lies. What Jesus did at that site—submitting to death by human hands, conquering sin and death, rising again—are the acts in which we find our faith. We believe, we hope, we trust, and we seek. We know that the work that happened at Golgotha was for our benefit, our salvation.
So much about life requires faith, but it’s not blind faith. We have written accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion in all four Gospels. Mentions of it are scattered throughout the New Testament and prophesied in the Old Testament. Extra-biblical materials like Josephus and others tell of the death of Jesus, the Jewish prophet and preacher who led a movement resulting in his death upon a cross.
But like Jesus asked his disciples at Caesarea Philippi, “Who do you say that I am?” They responded, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, but we believe you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mark 8:27-30).
So what do you believe? And how will your belief affect your actions, your way of living, your decisions moving forward?
Jesus suffered and died on Golgotha for each of us. What will we do with this gift of sacrifice? Will we receive it and believe, or will we miss out on eternal life and the benefits of his passion?
“O Lord God, I praise you for your love. You are a good and faithful God. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power. Help me know that you are good and just. Help me believe in your works and in your resurrection, that I might be your disciple and share your love with the world. I love you, Lord, and glorify your name. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen