Jesus on the Cross

Peter gives us a picture of Christ on the cross in one of his letters.

1 Peter 2:22–25 “22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

On Golgotha, three men were crucified. Jesus in the middle and one man to His left and one to His right. Unlike the robbers next to Him, Jesus did nothing wrong to be placed on the cross. He did not speak nor act in a manner worthy of punishment, and yet He was there.

The gospels tell us that the Jewish leaders mocked Him, saying He should save Himself as He saved others, questioning His power. The Roman soldiers joined in as well, questioning His position. The men on the crosses next to Him did the same. Jesus’s closest friends had deserted Him, and all those around Him reviled Him as a criminal.

While Jesus did not deserve to be there, He knew He was going to be there on the cross . He knew that every disciple would desert Him. He knew He would be betrayed. He Knew He would be tried unfairly. He knew that He would be tortured. He knew that He would be mocked. He knew He would hang on a tree, cursed by God and forsaken by men.

Not only did Jesus know this would happen, but this was according to His plan. God’s plan of redemption required that He who knew no sin to become sin for us. Jesus entrusted His life into God’s hands who would judge justly. Not only is God Just, but He is the Justifier. My sin had to be paid for. Your sin had to be paid for. In order for a just God to declare the sinner righteous, the Righteous One had to take the place of the sinner. And so, Jesus hung on that cross, enduring the physical pain, enduring the emotional pain of being rejected by the people He loved, enduring the pain of the sin of men, so that He could redeem His people. It cost Jesus much, but He knew it was worth it, He said we were worth it. He knew that His wounds would bring us healing. He knew that His rejection would mean our acceptance. Thank you Jesus for the cross!