The Crucifixion

Psalm 22 - Looking ahead

Matthew 27:32-44 – The Cross and the Shame

The crucifixion is well known and doesn't need any explaination. Let's talk about the background of crucifixion and the shame that was attached to that cruel death.

When a criminal was condemned, he was led away to the crucifixion. He was led in the center of four Roman soldiers. It was the custom that he should carry the cross beam of the cross to the place of execution himself. The upright would already be in place at the scene of the crucifixion. The charge on which the condemned had been convicted was written on a board; it was then either hung around his own neck, or carried by an officer in front of the procession; and it was later affixed to the cross itself. The criminal was led to the place in as long a route as possible, so that as many as possible may see him and be warned of consequences from the shameful sight.

Simon from Cyrene in North Africa was pressed to suffer the shame of carrying the beam for Jesus because of his physical condition. It may be that he had saved a long time to make this one trip to Jerusalem for Passover and now he is suffering the shame of carrying the cross for the condemned. Mark identifies Simon further as being the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). This indicates that these people were well known in the Church suggesting that this could be Simon's day of glory instead of shame.

The place of the execution was shaped like a skull, so that's what it was called. In order to deaden the pain, the condemned was given some drugged wine because he had to be impaled on the cross, nails driven through. The feet were only loosely bound to the cross with rope. Then, the property of the criminal was entitled to his clothes. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothes and suffered the final indignity of nakedness taking away the humanity of the criminal.

Matthew 27:45-50

Jesus gives up his spirit and he does battle with death.

2 Corinthians 5:21

This reading indicates that the sin of the world fell on Jesus. He bore it all for us to have hope of eternal life. The penalty he bore was separation from God. Sin separates us from God. This separation bought us a connection to righteousness making us responsible to be God's righteousness in the world.

There are many conjectures about who Jesus was calling on from the cross at the end. Some said Elijah. The soldiers may have thought that he was calling to the sun, the greatest of the pagan gods. What it boils down to was that what he meant or who he was calling to is a mystery to us. The point is it was terrible what caused the cry at the death.

What do you think of when you think of Christ's ultimate sacrifice? Who are you following? Are you God's righteousness on earth?

Have a Great Week!

Brad

Next – The Great Revelation