What Jesus Did! 'Our Place of Hope' — Mark 15:22-24

Thursday, December 5, 2024

And [the soldiers] brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means "Place of the Skull"). They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.

— Mark 15:22-24 NLT

Key Thought

The cross was a Roman tool of torture, shame, and humiliation. Jesus and his cross were taken to a hill known as the "Place of the Skull." Not only did the hill look somewhat like a skull, but it was also a place of death, mockery, and pain. In this instance, however, it was also a place of redemption, forgiveness, and hope because of Jesus. What began here in horror and inhumanity ended in victory and grace.

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving God, please help me to be humbled and touched by the cross of Christ. In addition, dear Father, help me to remember the grace, power, and victory that are mine because of that cross. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon PM Devo for Aug. 18th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"A golden truth is couched in the fact that the Saviour put the myrrhed wine-cup from his lips. On the heights of heaven the Son of God stood of old,....."
The Gamble
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Then the soldiers nailed [Jesus] to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece."
Cruciformed #6: The Gamble
Article by Phil Ware
As Jesus journeyed into Jerusalem that last time, he had reached the point where he was going to gamble everything on the cross. Phil Ware continues his series of insights on living the CRUCIFORMED life Jesus calls all disciples to live on his way to the cross.
The Scent of Myrrh
Article by Stacy Voss
Have you wondered how long Mary remembered the aroma of myrrh? Stacy Voss is trying to prepare our hearts for advent and the coming of Jesus by asking us to gather in pungent and hard to smell things.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 15:22-24 NLT — "Place of the Skull"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 5, 2024

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Our True Enemy' (Acts 19:13-20)
"A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying,...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Giving Grace'
"Dear Beloved, Part of the challenge of being in a multi-cultural fellowship, is that people who are different from you are... different! Their..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Stifle?' (1 Th. 5:19)
"Do not stifle the Holy Spirit."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'With His Own Understanding' (Je. 10:12-13)
"God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!