They Crucified Him

Mark 15:22-24 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
 
THE Bible reveals Satan’s many attempts to turn mankind’s heart from our Holy Creator. Satan attacked in Eden. The battle raged in Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. God fought back with the Great Flood to purify the earth. But still Noah and his sons carried Adam’s sin. The encounter grew more fierce with the sin at Babel. God continued to fight the war. He called Abraham to promise his offspring would one day bless the nations. Israel was born through Isaac and Jacob. But Satan seemed to destroy the promise in Israel. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. (Judges 21:25)
   Very many times Israel rejected God’s spiritual presence in Israel. And then they rejected his physical presence, even as Jesus repeatedly displayed God’s glory with his  preaching and miracles. Then the terrible day came. Evil-hearted men, full of rebellion committed the worst sin of at Golgotha. It seemed Satan could claim the final victory over the LORD.
   Yet, at this darkest hour is the beginning of the end of Satan’s rule over the earth. And they crucified him, is the climax of God’s war against his adversary. The cross released God’s weapons in a new promise to mankind. The Spirit began to direct Satan’s destruction. Paul teaches us these weapons are powerful and ready for our use: 2 Corinthians 6:1 As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain…4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.
   Because Jesus submitted to the cross, your faith in him will overcome trouble. Knowing his teachings, you will gain wisdom, patience and kindness to become pure in thoughts and deeds. Jesus’ death and resurrection has unleashed a Spirit-centered love. Right, effective talk comes to you by God’s power. God’s Word becomes your righteous weapons when you speak truth in all matters.
   God promised Satan in Genesis 3:15c “He (the Savior) will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Satan struck Jesus’ body. But now God has struck Satan’s head – his authority. In this troubled world we must gather and be trained in God’s weapons. They are his weapons of victory.