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The Ultimate Sacrifice "And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.And sitting down they watched him there;And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (Matthew 27:33-37)Those verses compel us to reflect on the enormity of Jesus' sacrifice and love. Amidst the agonizing scenes of betrayal, mockery, and crucifixion, the truth of God's redemptive plan for humanity emerges powerfully.The time for the clash between good and evil, Heaven and Hell, was now being accomplished just as the prophets had spoken and just as our Saviour had taught. The crucifixion of Jesus is both the most horrific moment in human history, and yet, it is humanity’s only hope.Jesus’ disciples understanding was still too weak in faith to during those final hours, so they scattered like a bunch of scared alley cats. That religious gang of thugs carried out their plot, the political leaders passed the buck, and in the end, they discarded Jesus for the sake of convenience.The two thieves, who hung on either side of the Son of God, found it difficult to comprehend the crime that this One had supposedly committed. Then that little namby-pamby, good for nothing, panty hose wearing, compromiser, Pilate, wrote a title, and had it placed above the head of our bleeding Saviour which read: "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. " (John 19:19) That little snide writing certainly attracted the attention of the many that had gathered, didn't it? For we read in verse 36, "And sitting down they watched him there." That crowd of onlookers gawked at that sight like a flock of vultures straining their necks after spotting some fresh bleeding roadkill laying there ready to be devoured.Reading thru the Gospels, we know of seven things our Saviour said from His cross, including a Prayer of forgiveness for the soldiers, Provision for the care of his mother, and a Plea for something to wet his parched mouth.But those last words, oh, those last words of Jesus on that Day of Deliverance are the most pleasing and promising to our souls. Hear Him cry in those final moments just before He died, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).Friends, that was not a cry of resignation, nor one of surrender. No No! That was our Lord's shout of victory for all that His Father had planned for the salvation of sinners was now accomplished!Now there could be Redemption!Now there could be Reconciliation!Now there could be Rejoicing!All that needed to be done for the debt of sin had been paid. Forgiveness was now free to all who would receive it. Have you received His forgiveness?