THERE IS A HILL IN JERUSALEM CALLED GOLGOTHA, JUST A SMALL HILL, BUT ALL THE WORLD LOOKS

1. The world rushes by with its commerce, its pleasure, its crime, war, and cruelty -
2. But beside the road leading north from an ancient city is a little hill, small, unattractive
3. But let's stop awhile, and see how the entire world and all history is influenced by this little unlikely hill

For on this hill one day there hung a Man on a cross!

I.- THIS LITTLE HILL WAS CHEATED!

In days past it was a little green hill, a mound of rock with soil and grass & shrubs on top

A.- THIS LITTLE HILL WAS NEAR A CITY OF OLD TIME, AND LITTLE BOYS HAVE ALWAYS FOUND SUCH TO PLAY ON

1. About 3/4 mile north of the City of Melchizedek; later, the City of David -
2. From its gentle slopes a person could see over hills called Moriah, Zion, easy to play on

B.- BUT MEN USED THIS LITTLE HILL FOR A GRAVEYARD, AND CARVED TOMBS OUT OF ITS GREEN SIDES

1. Men strive, even in death- to be buried the highest, or in the best spot- greatest stones-
2. Instead of happy sounds, the little hill was a place of tears and heart sobs, separation
3. But people came often- Death summons us all!  Some hate it, some are dragged screaming

C.- BUT THIS LITTLE HILL COULD NOT EVEN BE A DECENT CEMETERY; MEN FOUND BUILDING STONES HERE

1. The pride of Solomon's Temple- that no tool of iron was heard in its construction- I Ki 6:7
2. This meant that some other place had to have all the noise- the Quarry carved heart of hill
3. Zion was David's Palace; Moriah the palace of Solomon- and Temples- This hill- torn, jagged

Where the carving opened some graves- huge holes in the shape of a death's head! A Skull!

II. THIS HILL BECAME A PLACE OF DEATH

Mark 15:22 tells us that they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha -there crucified Him

A.- "THERE THEY GAVE HIM TO DRINK WINE MINGLED WITH MYRRH, BUT HE RECIEVED IT NOT" v.23

1. The rough Soldiers had prepared Jesus quickly -Trial at 6 AM, To Cross at 9- v.16-25
2. Their treatment was horrible; they mocked Him, spat upon Him, smote Him, crowned Him with Thorns
3. Their only human kindness- fulfilled Psa 69:21, Jesus refused -so He could taste death for all

B.- THEY PARTED HIS GARMENTS, CASTING LOTS UPON THEM, BEFORE HIS EYES STOLE HIS CLOTHING v.24

1. Again the interweaving of Scripture- Psa 22:18  No accident it occurred here- God knew & planned
2. Even Isaiah 53:12 was fulfilled- numbered with transgressors- v.27- between 2 thieves
3. The greatest hate - betrayed by His own people, handled by the Bulls of Bashan -abused

C.- FROM NINE IN THE MORNING TILL THREE IN THE AFTERNOON JESUS HUNG CRUCIFIED ON THIS HILL

1. The horrible agony of the most cruel death of history- pain or strangulation? Weakness - death
2. The Sun hid her face- Mark 15:33 -not just an eclipse- for it was for 3 hours darkness
3. But death did not capture Jesus- v.37, instead, Jesus with strength - overcame death!-

The shame of the world came to a climax on the hill called Golgotha - It killed God's Son v.39

III.- WHAT HAPPENED BECAME SYMBOL OF GLORY

When a sincere man speaks of Calvary, Golgotha,- it is with reverence, respect, thankfulness

A.- THE PLAN OF GOD TO REACH A LOST AND DYING WORLD WAS FULFILLED ON THE SACRED BROW OF CALVARY

1. The entire work of Christ is spoken of Eph 2:16 Through the Cross- we preach peace to men
2. Songs were written, Poems, History books, all because of what happened there long ago
3. Jesus saw what was in the future- so he endured the shame - Heb 12:2 -to be our Savior

B.- IT IS IN THE PREACHING OF CALVARY, AND THE CROSS, THAT THE POWER OF GOD IS TURNED LOOSE

1. I Cor 1:17,18 men cannot really be helped by the wisdom of men, it would replace Calvary
2. But the preaching of the Cross is to the world foolishness- men mock, men think Death ended
3. But the Power of God to save souls is centered in this great truth- Have you been to Calvary?

C.- THE ONLY THING THE APOSTLES COULD GLORY IN WAS THE CROSS PLANTED IN CALVARY SO LONG AGO

1. Strange twist- the symbol of Death- worn as a trinket, a symbol of discipleship, glory
2. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags - worthless.  We have no good thing in ourselves-
3. But at the Cross, and our Savior's death on Calvary paid the price for our sin- gave us a new lease on life, opened the door to a new birth!- Glory in What Jesus did for us

HAVE YOU EVER WALKED OUTSIDE THE CITY TO THIS LITTLE HILL, AND THERE MET GOD FACE TO FACE?

1. The only way you will ever have any peace is to accept what happened there- for your sins
2. Jesus died the same time the Lamb's were slain at Moriah, but from Calvary he saw you!
3. All the symbolism is reduced down to a little hill, three crosses,- one in middle for you!

Jesus took your place, will you accept him now?