Stirring our pot Facebook ad: “Picture a skull carved into the face of…”

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Picture a skull carved into the face of the earth itself. This is Golgotha, where two thousand years ago, a man's last words echoed across stone: "Into your hands, I commit my spirit." Not exactly your typical tourist spot, right? Every Easter Sunday, while many are hunting eggs and nibbling chocolate bunnies, thousands of pilgrims flood Jerusalem, drawn to a garden that might be the most controversial piece of real estate in history. They come seeking the place where death itself supposedly took a knockout punch - the garden tomb where Jesus is said to have pulled off the ultimate comeback story. I remember my own pilgrimage there. Picture this: I'm navigating my rental car through Jerusalem's maze-like streets, finally finding a parking spot near Jaffa Gate that probably hasn't seen a free moment since King David's time. The walk to the Garden Tomb feels like a crash course in Jerusalem's split personality - ancient walls on one side, bullet-scarred street signs on the other, and persistent vendors trying to sell me everything from "authentic" crown-of-thorns keychains to "blessed" water bottles. I barely made it before closing time, when the place was nearly empty. The silence felt heavy, meaningful - the kind that makes you whisper even when you don't have to. The garden itself? It's maintained by the British, (through something called the Garden Tomb Association), who've managed to keep it from turning into yet another religious tourist trap. But here's where it gets interesting. Back in 1883, a British general named Charles Gordon (probably nursing a proper cup of tea) was gazing out his window in Jerusalem when he spotted something that made him choke on his breakfast - a cliff face that looked eerily like a human skull. We're talking eye sockets, nose bridge, the works. Gordon, being the proper Victorian gentleman he was, didn't just say "well, that's creepy" and move on. No, he became obsessed with the idea that this was the actual Golgotha mentioned in the Bible - the place where Jesus met his end. The kicker? Right next to this grim geological selfie, archaeologists found an ancient tomb carved right into the rock, complete with a first-century wine press and water cistern - exactly what you'd expect to find in a wealthy man's garden from that era. It's like finding a garage and a swimming pool next to a modern mansion - it just fits. Today, in a plot twist that would make any historian cringe, that skull-like cliff overlooks a bustling Arab bus station. And in a bit of dramatic irony, part of the "skull" has recently crumbled away - as if even rocks can't escape the ravages of time. But then again, maybe that's the point. In a city where every stone seems to whisper stories of miracles and martyrs, even an eroding rock formation can remind us that nothing lasts forever - except, perhaps, the accounts we tell about them. Did you know that the Jewish morning begins with “I thank Thee, living and eternal King, for Thou hast mercifully restored my soul within me; Great is Thy faithfulness.” The worshiper had entrusted their spirit to God for safekeeping the previous evening. At the end of their evening prayers, they spoke, “Into your hands, I commit my spirit” (Psalm 31:5). Yes, their daily ritual includes the same words that Jesus cried out while dying on the cross (Luke 23:46). Looking at Psalm 31:1-5.” “In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue; Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and fortress, for your name’s sake, lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” Let’s focus first on what Jesus cries out (vs. 5). Ever check your coat at a fancy restaurant? You hand it over, get that little ticket, and know - without a doubt - you're coming back for it. That's exactly what's happening in one of history's most dramatic moments, but with infinitely higher stakes. See, when Jesus uttered "אַפְקִיד" (afkid) with his final breath, he wasn't just saying goodbye. The Hebrew word is more like making a cosmic deposit slip - a divine IOU. It's not "goodbye forever" but more like "hold this for me, I'll be right back." Think about it: Every night, faithful Hebrew worshippers would basically hand God their spiritual coat check, saying this same word in their evening prayers. Come morning, they'd wake up and say, "Thanks for keeping my soul safe!" But Jesus? He took this everyday ritual and turned it into the most audacious trust fall in history. Picture this: You're standing at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem (where I've stood, by the way). The limestone is cool under your fingers, and you can't help but marvel at the sheer confidence it took. Jesus wasn't making a desperate last gasp - he was making a bold deposit, knowing the bank of heaven would honor his withdrawal request in three days. And spoiler alert: That withdrawal went through with interest. Talk about the ultimate "I told you so" moment in religious history! So, my question (and yours) is, how much do we deposit into God’s hands? Paul encourages Timothy (II Tim. 1:14), “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure (which is literally, “the good deposit”) which has been entrusted to you.” When you entrust your life to Jesus Christ, He entrusts His good (the Greek word means “morally excellent” or “beautiful”) deposit with you. Paul refers to the gospel, which includes the whole body of Christian truth about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered why Paul called us "living letters" in 2 Corinthians 3:2? Think about it: while countless people might never crack open a leather-bound Bible, they're reading you and me every single day. We're walking, talking Gospel stories, meant to showcase Jesus Christ in living color through our beliefs and actions. Picture this: Timothy, a young pastor, probably nervous and uncertain, receives a letter from his mentor Paul. "I know whom I have believed," Paul writes confidently from his prison cell (2 Timothy 1:12). But here's the kicker – in the very next breath, he shifts from the 'whom' to the 'what.' Like a master jeweler passing down precious gems, Paul urges Timothy to "guard the good deposit" (2 Timothy 1:14). Why? Because Satan, that ancient serpent from Genesis 3, knows exactly what Romans 1:16 declares – this gospel we carry is nuclear-grade powerful, capable of transforming lives with a single touch of faith. Let me paint you a picture that Jesus himself might have used: Imagine walking down a dark alley in Jerusalem. If you're carrying a single denarius, you might whistle carelessly, kick a few stones around. But what if you're carrying the temple treasury? Every shadow makes you jump, every footstep behind you quickens your pulse. That's exactly what Peter meant when he wrote about us being "stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10). We're carrying something far more valuable than silver or gold – we're carrying the very power of salvation. This isn't just some dusty theological concept. When Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21), He was talking about this very thing. If we've truly deposited our lives in Christ's heavenly vault – as Paul did when he declared "I have been crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) – then He's entrusted us with something extraordinary in return. The gospel isn't just good news; it's the best news, sealed with Christ's blood and verified by His resurrection. So here's the million-dollar question: Are we walking like people carrying pocket change, or like those entrusted with the Crown Jewels of Heaven? As James would say, we need to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). Every step matters. Every choice counts. Every moment is an investment opportunity in eternity. When Paul told the Colossians to "walk in wisdom" (Colossians 4:5), he wasn't suggesting a casual stroll – he was calling for a purposeful journey that guards and glorifies this incredible treasure we carry. After all, as Peter reminds us, we're "a chosen race, a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). So let's walk worthy of that calling, guarding the gospel not just with our minds through sound doctrine, but with our very lives through radical, Christ-centered living. Because at the end of the day, the greatest investment strategy in the universe is simple: deposit everything in Christ's hands, and watch how He multiplies it for His kingdom. I will guard my heart with all diligence, for the issues of life flow out of it. (Proverbs 4:23) I will be on my guard, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, and be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13) O God, may You fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that I may walk worthy of You, Lord, and please You in every way, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of You; strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might, so that I may have great endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:9–11) We are an epistle from Christ, written not with ink, but with You, O Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3) God, here's the thing - I want to be real with You. Not the polished, Sunday-morning version of myself, but the messy, authentic one who sometimes stumbles through life trying to figure it all out. I want to be the kind of person who makes Your heart smile. Not because I'm perfect (we both know that's not happening), but because I'm genuine. When I mess up - and we both know that's a "when," not an "if" - I don't want to play the blame game or hide like Adam did in the garden. I want to run straight to You, no matter how scraped up my knees might be. You see right through the facade I sometimes put up for others, don't You? Past the Instagram filters and carefully curated status updates, straight to the core of who I am. Jesus said our hearts follow our treasure, and I want my heart to chase after You with the same intensity that a kid chases an ice cream truck on a hot summer day. Here's what gets me: You took everything I am - all my broken pieces and unfinished stories - and traded them for something incredible. Paul talked about being "crucified with Christ," and while that sounds intense, I think I'm starting to get it. It's like the ultimate exchange program, isn't it? My mess for Your masterpiece, my chaos for Your peace. So here's my prayer, raw and unfiltered: Help me want what You want. Help me love the things that make Your heart beat faster and reject the stuff that breaks it. Keep me honest - with myself, with others, and especially with You. Don't let me buy into the world's Instagram-perfect definitions of success and worth. And God? When I'm antsy and want to rush ahead, teach me to wait. When everything feels hopeless, help me hope in You. When I'm tempted to trust in my own plans (which, let's be honest, usually end up looking like a toddler's finger painting), remind me to trust in Yours instead. I'm all in, God. Every messy, beautiful bit of me. Take it all. Adapted from thoughts by Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Stephen J Cole