"Jesus Led to Golgotha"

 

Matthew 27:32-34: Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. 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.

Tradition, not Scripture, tells us that Christ fell beneath the weight of His cross, not only once but three times; but this rests on no authentic records. However, it seems evident His physical strength was so weakened by loss of blood and excessive suffering thta even the callous soldiers saw He needed help in bearing His cross; so they laid hold on Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming that way, and compelled him to asist.

Simon had a privilege that he certainly appreciated. The early Christians said that the Alexander and Rufus, mentioned as his sons in Mark 15:21, both became followers of Jesus, and that their father too was of the Christian faith. Again, the Scriptures do not confirm this, but it would be a reasonable deduction.

Finally, they reached the hill outside of the walls of Jerusalem called Golgotha in Hebrew, and Calvary in Latin. The name "the place of a skull" if a reference to Gordon's Calvary today still has features that resemble a skull. General Gordon located this small hill right outside a wall of the city. The first century tomb found soon after during excavation still remains in British hands, and is known today as "The Garden Tomb."

It was customary to give one who was being put to death by crucifixion a drink that would make it easier for him to endure the fearful ordeal through which he would pass. Such a drink, composed of sour wine (or vinegar) and myrrh (a narcotic that dulled pain), was put to the lips of Jesus, but He refused to drink. Christ would not take anything that might numb His mind or alleviate the sufferings that He was undergoing. He would take the full measure of suffering for our sins. Praise His glorious Name!