April 18, 2014
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 27, 33 – 50:
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jew.’ Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, tema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.
Jesus died on Good Friday, the greatest day of His life on earth. It is on that day that He atone for our sins and opened heaven for us. Our Heavenly Father accepted His great sacrifice for our salvation. If we are sorry for our sins, then through Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are all forgiven and if we walk with Jesus every day, then when we die we will surely go to heaven with Him.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I call you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters throughout the world to believe that I have suffered much and died a horrible death on the cross to save you all. You can see how horrible sin is that it caused Me such suffering, that they nailed Me to the cross and caused Me so many wounds that My blood flowed from all My wounds from My head to My feet. Before My crucifixion, I was beaten severely all over My body and they also placed a crown of thorns on My head so My blood flowed from everywhere. I was three hours on the cross and great things happened while I was on the cross. I spoke to My Mother Mary and to the Apostle John. I told My Mother these words, “Behold, your son,” and to John I said, “Behold, your mother.” John represented every person who believes in Me and I gave them all My Mother to be their Mother. Also one of the thieves that was crucified with Me, turned to Me and asked Me this, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” I say to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” This shows that even criminals can repent and they will be saved.
Come then My friends and spend an hour with Me during the day of My death. Come and contemplate My suffering and My death and know that I suffered all that and I died on the cross for you because I love you. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin