Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:17-18

John’s gospel is usually pretty loaded with meaning. But here he keeps it understated which I find an interesting choice.

In these two verses sits the hinge on which history swings and heaven’s doors swing open.

It’s so understated that if you blink you might miss it.

Son of God and Son of Man, crucified. Forced to carry his own cross to the place of his crucifixion.

Humans that wouldn’t even be in existence if the God the Father and Son hadn’t created the world, become his masters and murder him. And he willingly submits to it and plunges into the chasm of death in order to set us free.

I’ve probably blogged about it before, but “He takes captivity captive” is a favourite verse of mine. Jesus looks like he’s being forced into this punishment. But he actually chooses to do it.

Because he’s a freedom fighter. Fighting for the freedom of our souls from hell and even going so far as to trap the demons who work to keep the saints in captivity.

Jesus turns the tables on them and puts them into captivity.

All at the cross. There they crucified him…

There he changed the world. For all time.

For once John keeps it simple, yet there’s nothing simple about the cross.

Golgotha was the most profound event the world has ever seen.

Yours full of awe,

Alison