TWO HILLS, FOUR TREES

MATTHEW 27

The “Hill” of Calvary• Bible doesn’t say it was a hill or mount• Assumptions:• A place near Fort Antonia Mark 15:44-45• Either the road to Joppa or road to Damascus

What does the Bible say?• Mark 15:21 met Simon on his way coming out

of the country and passing by (not a bystander)• Jesus was crucified outside the gate Hebrews

13:10-14• Golgotha was near the city John 19:20• Jn 19:41-42 Now in the place where He was

crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

• Tomb was hewn out of the rock Mark 15:46

The “Hill” of Calvary• Bible doesn’t say it was a hill or mount• Assumptions:• A place near Fort Antonia Mark 15:44-45• Either the road to Joppa or road to Damascus• Many could have a view from a distance Mark

15:40-41• The tomb was in hilly area where Jesus was

crucified• Hill of Calvary is consistent conclusion from

scripture

The “Why” of Calvary• Jesus was crucified because of envy Mt. 27:18• It was God’s secret plan 1 Cor. 2:7-8, Eph. 3:1-11• It was prophesied by God Isaiah 53, Psalm 22• Jesus died between two thieves Mark 15:27-28• Three crosses: one innocent man, two guilty• i.e. three “trees” 1 Pt. 2:24 “Cross” = “tree”• We are like the guilty but forgiven thief or• We are like the guilty and unforgiven thief • What’s the difference? Luke 23:33-43 Faith,

repentance, confession, and asking

The Other Tree on the Other Hill• Judas betrayed innocent blood • Judas was sorry 2 Cor. 7:9-11• Judas tried to fix his own sin alone • He did not succeed• Judas went and hanged himself Matt. 27:1-10• He climbed the Hill of Regret all alone• He died alone Acts 1:18-20• Field of blood because his body spilling on the

ground • Eternally alone Acts 1:25 his own place

Your Choice• You have sinned Rom. 3:23• You can be sorry like Judas• You cannot fix sin yourself alone Rom. 5:6-8• Despair and die in sin, eternally lost! Alone• You can be selfish like 1st Thief , die in sin • You can be sorry like 2nd Thief • Repent, ask in faith for Jesus’ mercy Acts 2:38• How we ask Him today (not prayer) baptism is

asking for a good conscience 1 Peter 3:21, calling on the name of the Lord in Acts 22:16