Crucified

Front Page 23.2 February 2016

 

As the events which led up to His crucifixion unfolded, we ought to understand that Jesus could have stopped the process at any step along the way. He is Lord. You cannot easily bind someone who can walk on water and calm nature’s storms with a word. However, He allowed Himself to be put to death because He knew that only this could counteract the effect sin has on the human soul. The prophets had proclaimed it so centuries before (Isaiah 53). 

He was shuffled from one illegal proceeding to another. The trials were not really for the purpose of determining guilt or innocence. Rather, they were simply a prelude to what His judges had already determined they wanted to do to Him anyway. He was humiliated and beaten. The scourging He received would have already brought Him into a critical physical state. He was fastened to the cross with nails driven through His hands and feet. The cross was then lifted up and placed into the ground by cruel but efficient executioners. They gambled for His clothing not even knowing that the ancient Scriptures had said that they would do so. The mob mocked Jesus, and Jesus called upon God - not to strike them - but to forgive them. 

Heaven was silent as Jesus suffered alone. “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” He cried out. Finally, “It is finished!” and “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” Finally, after some delay and a final thrust of a spear into the lifeless body, the cross was lowered and the body was placed in a tomb.  But the tomb would not be a permanent arrangement - but merely a three day resting place. It could soon be returned to its original owner. Jesus would not be needing it for long.