July 15

Luke 23:33‑35
“When they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God” —Luke 23:33-3533And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. (Luke 23:33‑35).
AS we meditate upon our blessed Lord’s sufferings on the cross we may well be subdued and humbled as we remember that it was because of our sins He endured that awful agony. We, ourselves, are the very “Why” of Calvary. All His life long the Lord Jesus had looked forward to this hour when He was to be immolated as the great sin offering, fulfilling all the sacrificial types of the old dispensation. His one offering was to settle the sin question forever. It was not possible that the animal sacrifices offered under the law should put away sin (Heb. 10:44For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)). There was not the intrinsic value in such blood to pay the debt of sin. But because of the infinite value of the Person of Christ He could by His one offering make an available propitiation for the sins of the world, so that upon the basis of His finished work, God could proclaim remission of sins (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)), to all who believe.
“Saviour! may we never cherish,
That which nailed Thee to the cross;
All of earth, oh, let it perish,
Be it counted worse than lost:
Let no siren’s song seducing,
Lure us from our joys divine,
Idols in the heart producing,
Hearts which would be wholly Thine.”
—Sir Edward Denny.