Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

15 February 2025

Reading From Matthew 27:27-50

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).”

–Matthew 27:32-33

     Cyrene is today known as Libya.  Many think that Simon from Cyrene was black.  It would be wonderful if that were true as it would showcase how God brings people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities together in His tapestry of truth called the Bible.  We are not told in the Scriptures that he was black, but Romans were known for coercing the common people whose lands they invaded and occupied to do whatever they pleased.  What an honor it would have been to carry the cross of our Lord. 

     Jesus died at a place called Golgotha, the place of the skull.  This reminds me of the monumental role He filled as the Second Adam.  Through the sin of the first Adam, spiritual and physical death and separation from God came into the world.  But through the death and resurrection of the Redeemer, life and peace with God is made available by grace through faith to all of humanity.  Legend has it that the first Adam was buried there and that is what gave it the name “place of the skull.”  We probably won’t know until we ask the Second Adam when we speak to Him face to face in the great beyond. 

“Lord God, thank You that You welcome whosoever will believe regardless of what they look like or where they come from.  You made the Way for every human being to become Your sons and daughters.  We are so grateful to be part of Your eternal family and we look forward to dwelling with You, by Your side forevermore at home in Heaven.  In Jesus’ Name we long for our faith to be made sight.  Amen.”

“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

–Romans 5:18-21