Text: Mark 15:20-32
Intro: When I think of Calvary, several things come to my mind. But the prominent thought is the path that our Lord traveled
to Calvary. It was a path of sorrow, suffering and loneliness that began in eternity, led through the streets of Jerusalem and ended at Calvary.
I. The path to Calvary
    A. (Revelation 13:8) says our Lord was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. And all that dwell upon the
         earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
         world.
        1.  Through His great love and mercy God determined from eternity past that there would be a cross.
        2.  When God placed Adam in the Garden, he knew there would be a cross.
        3.  The cross was neither an accident nor an after thought with God.
        4.  It was in the mind of God from the beginning.
    B. The path to the cross-led Him to Mary's womb (Luke l:30-33). And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou
        hast found favour with God.  31 - And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his
        name JESUS. 32 - He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall given unto him
        the throne of his father David.  33 - And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall
        be no end.
    C. The path to the cross-led him to Bethlehem and the manger (Luke 2:11-12). For unto you is born this day in the city of
        David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 - And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
        swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
    D. The path to the cross-led through all of Israel (Luke 4:18-19). The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
        anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
        captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of
        the Lord.
        1. Healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons.
    E. The path to the cross – led Him to Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-44).
    F. The path to the cross – led Him to Pilate’s Hall (Luke 23:1) And the whole multitude of them arose, and led Him to
        Pilate.  (Luke 23:24) And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
II. The People of the cross.
    A. Simon was there because he was compelled to be there (Mark 15:21). And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who
        passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
        1. Simon served the Lord but notice why -- He was compelled (pressed into public service).
    B. The Soldiers were there because they were commanded to be there.
        1. This is what they had been trained for. (John 19:2) And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head,
            and they put on him a purple robe,  (John 19:23) Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments,
            and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat; now the coat was without seam, wo en from the top
            throughout.  (Luke 23:36 ) And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
            (Matthew 27:54 ) Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and
            those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
    C.  The Thieves were there because of their crimes (Mark 15:27). And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his
          right hand, and the other on his left.
    D. Three crosses stood at Calvary that day one man died in his sins one man died to his sins and Jesus for our sins. I was
         there because of my sin!
III. After Jesus Gave His Life on the Cross He was Buried in a Borrowed Grave From Where He Arose the Third
Day (John 19:38-42).
    A. The crucifixion loses its meaning without the resurrection.
        1. Without the resurrection, the death of Christ was only the heroic death of a noble martyr.
        2. With the resurrection, it is the atoning death of the Son of God.
    B. Then came the resurrection morning (Luke 24:l-7).
        1. Forty-days after Jesus was raised from the grave He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). And when he had spoken
            these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked
            stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men
            of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
            in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
        2. Paul instructed the church at Corinth concerning the resurrection (1 Cor 15:12-19).
    C. Jesus taught that there will be two resurrections (John 5:28-29). Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which
        all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
        life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
    D. The question is, “Which resurrection will you be in?”
        1. Resurrection of the righteous (1 Thess 4:13-17).
        2. Resurrection of the unbelievers (Rev 20:12-15).