Without a Doubt

We have such short memories.

Give us a few days, we’ll forget.

Oh, you are right, we’re good at remembering insults and those who have treated us unfairly. Yes, we are good at holding grudges. Not good with history.

Historical events we should remember. Knowing history helps prevent the repetition of past mistakes. Knowing the the past is a wise way to understand the future. Still, we don’t remember.

Remembering history-this specific history will change our life direction. Remembering and believing this history will change our priorities. This history changes our forever. Each of us has a personal forever. While we forget most historical events this is one we should remember. Our forever is at stake.

This is the event:

 “By this time, it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.” Luke.23:44-49

This passage is part of world history.

It was a Roman crucifixion.

It happened in the nation of Israel.

Jesus Christ died there …on a cross for your sins, my sins.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.

We know that one the criminals being crucified with Him was saved that day.

Understand this clearly, the crucifixion of Jesus is a world history event.

It happened.

Matthew wrote about the crucifixion as Luke did. Matthew included the words of the Roman Centurion writing the account in this way:

The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”   Matthew 27:54

Matthew and Luke do not contradict one another. “Son of God,” Righteous man,” are considered virtually the same in meaning.

The centurion saw the unnatural darkness come and remain. The book of Matthew records that the earth shook and rocks split when Jesus died. The centurion and his soldiers were there. They saw and felt each of the uncommon events at the cross of Jesus. There is not a doubt.  The eyewitness testimony of a Roman official confirms who Jesus was.

This truth is worth repeating: the death of Jesus on a Roman cross is part of world history. May we remember this past event. May we think deeply about its significance for our personal lives. Jesus really died on a cross. He died for the sins of the world. This was God’s plan before He made the earth and universe.

This is one historical event to believe and remember.

Our personal forever  is at stake.