The Horrors of the Crucifixion
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. 27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”
31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Introduction
Introduction
This morning, we have gathered together in order to remember a particular day and event in the Christian historical calendar, which is central to our faith - that of the death of Jesus of Nazareth. But as we do that, it is fitting that we do so with some measure of mixed emotion.
In one sense, the death of Jesus Christ creates within us a sense of great joy and delight because of what His death means for us as people.
The Psalmist declared in Psalm 32:1...
1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sins are covered!!
It is the death of Christ that allows for the permanent covering over, blotting out of sins. Paul, in writing to the Roman church, decalred...
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The death of Jesus is a cause of great joy and rejoicing for those who believe because it is through this death that the sins of man were atoned for once and for all. Under the Old Covenant, the Israelites would bring animals - perfect animals without any defect - to be sacrificed on the altar in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Blood had to be shed - but it was the blood of bulls and goats. It was a temporary sacrificial system that pointed forward to a greater sacrifice.
But there needed to be a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice in order to make full and proper atonement for the sins of people. That perfect sacrfice was not an animal, but rather it was the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the Son of God, and He came to sacrifice His own life in order to redeem the lives of others.
And in this regard, we have a sense of joy, knowing what has been finally accomplished on our behalf in order to redeem us, and to make atonement for our sins.
But as we consider the events of this day, we should also be confronted with a sense of great horror. As we properly and carefully consider what was taking place on the cross at Calvary, the very thought of that which was carried out on our behalf, should cause us to shrink back in shock and disgust. To think that mankind had the audacity to perform such violent and despicable acts to another human, let alone the very Son of God, should cause us to be deeply moved to horror.
But this is precisely what took place.
It’s interesting in our day that there is a great movement towards humanitarian concern - and I do think that this is (in general) a good thing. When we here of human rights abuses, we are rightly shocked. Now obviously there are those things which are called by the name of human rights, which are nothing of the sort. But the point is, we do well to have a heart for humanity, and a concern for other people.
Recently in the news, I heard of what’s taking place in Mozaimbique with the insurgence of ISIS. They spoke about the decapitating of people, and all kinds of murders and killings. And these things truly shock us. Particularly when we hear of the killings of other Christians for their faith, it shocks us. And it should.
But if these shock us, all the more so should the killing of Jesus Christ shock us!!
This morning, I would like us to briefly consider these horrors that unfolded at Calvary, and to remind us of the extent that God went in order to redeem sinners from the power and bondage of sin.
As we consider these things, notice firstly with me from our passage...
1. THE DISGRACE—vv. 16-19, 29–32
1. THE DISGRACE—vv. 16-19, 29–32
As Christ approached this climactic moment of his work here in this world, we see a picture of the extent to which he was subjected to disgrace. He was mocked; he was ill-treated; he was laughed at; he was spat on…
As we consider these truths from our passage, let us keep in mind that this was the humble servant-king.
1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”
Christ had come with a noble task that was to bring good to mankind. He came in order to serve humanity, rather than to be served by the very ones that He had created. And yet, he was the subject of disgrace and scorn. This disgrace came from at least four different sources that we find in our passage.
Firstly, we find that he was...
1.1. Mocked by the Soldiers (vv.16-19)
1.1. Mocked by the Soldiers (vv.16-19)
In verse 16, we read that this company of Roman soldiers led Jesus away into the palace, and they set up a scene with the express purpose of making a mockery of Jesus. As Roman soldiers, these were men that had their allegiance to Caesar. He was the man that they obeyed and lived for. Caesar was king, and any king that attempted to usurp the authority and power of this great ruler Caesar, or any king that even had an appearance of being a possible threat, would pay the price.
In this case, the soldiers thought it both pitiful and humerous that this man Jesus could consider himself a king. Where were his followers? Where was his army to come and protect him.
And so they set up a scene of mockery in order to shame him and disgrace him. Verse 17 says...
17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.
Purple was the colour of royalty and so they dressed him up for the occassion. But instead of a royal crown or a wreath, they twisted together a crown of thorns that would cut into his skin and inflict pain. And with this scene set, we read in verses 18-19...
18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.
Very evidently, this was not homage with a view to exalting him according to his true worth. It was all a mockery of Jesus.
Keep in mind who this was. The one who had the ability and power to call on legions of angels to his defense. He had the power to destroy these men, these soldiers who thought they were so powerful, in an instant. And yet, he endured the mockery.
Secondly from our text, we see that Christ was...
1.2. Mocked by the people (v.29-30)
1.2. Mocked by the people (v.29-30)
In these verses, Christ has already been put up on the cross. He has already been flogged by the soldiers. His flesh has been torn from his back as he was whipped by them. His crown of thorns has been removed, and blood would be streaming down his face. His body was literally a mess, and he hung naked on this cross, straddled by two robbers / insurrectionists…
And as he hangs there as a public spectacle, there are people walking by.
29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”
Here was outright mockery and disgust by the ordinary people that passed him by. They were hurling insults at him. Abusive in their language towards him. They shook their heads, and mocked at his claim about destroying the temple and building it in three days.
They viewed him as a worthless and helpless fool, and they didn’t shrink back from making this known to Him.
Again, He was the King of kings. He had authority and power at his disposal. But he restrained himself, and would not use his power in order to bring retribution.
I must ask, how do you respond when someone begins to tease you or mock you? If you have children, and one child starts to tease their sibling, you can be sure that fireworks are on the way. It’s a natural response for us to want to retaliate and defend ourselves. Usually, this comes about through what is claimed to be a just retaliation. Suddenly accusations will be flying from both sides, each siding looking to win the battle through their choice of accusations.
Christ, as the perfect, righteous, unblemished Son of God had every basis and ground for just retribution, and the casting of accusations. And yet, there he hung. He knew the purpose for which he came. He knew that in order to bring salvation to man, he would need to endure...
Thirdly, in terms of the mockery, we see that Jesus was...
1.3. Mocked by the Religious Leaders (vv.31-32a)
1.3. Mocked by the Religious Leaders (vv.31-32a)
In verse 31-32, we read...
The New International Version (1984) The Crucifixion
31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”
That phrase in verse 31, “In the same way…” shows that there was a common theme driving the people. The religious leaders also joined in the chorus of mockery that was directed at Jesus Christ. They mocked his claims at being a Saviour. Hanging in the cross was certainly no picture to them that this man had any ability to save others. He couldn’t even save himself.
On a human level, and to the extent that these religious leaders were looking for a political Messiah, it is understandable that they mocked him. In their minds, the Messiah that God had promised was going to be the most powerful Saviour the world had seen. A man of strength.
But the ways of God are nowhere close to the ways of man!!
The sad reality was that these religious leaders demonstrated an attitude that was completely contrary to that of the Saviour himself. His was one of humility and self-sacrifice. Theirs was one of pride and self-exaltation.
And let me just add, we are called to walk in the paths of the Saviour, rather than those filled with pride in their position.
Fourthly, and finally in terms of this disgrace, we see that Jesus was...
1.4. Mocked by the lawless ones (v.32b)
1.4. Mocked by the lawless ones (v.32b)
Verse 32b tells us...
The New International Version (1984) The Crucifixion
Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Is this not just the cherry on top of all he of the insults being hurled at Christ?
These men that were hanging beside Jesus Christ were convicted criminals. They had gone through a trial. They had been identified as those who were robbers. Other passages tell us also that they were insurrectionists… they were trying to overthrow the Roman power.
They themselves ought to have been ashamed of their own guilt and shame as they were put on display on the cross. But instead, they looked to the one that was innocent, and added their own voices to the insults being thrown at Christ.
What a picture of utter disgrace directed at the perfect Saviour!
But before I move on, I want to just remind us of the reality that we probably would not have been much different.
We often sing that beautiful hymn, How Deep the Father’s love for us...” Verse 2 of that hymn has these words...
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
Indeed, when we lived in indifference to God, we lived in opposition to him, and our voices were set against him. This was our state and condition outside of the grace of God towards us. Thanks be to God that he saves rebellious mockers.
Notice secondly with me from our passage...
2. THE DEGRADATION—vv. 20–28
2. THE DEGRADATION—vv. 20–28
As we consider this point, I think we need to keep in mind that our modern minds have lost sight of the utter despicable nature of the cross in that day, and all that it meant. And I think it’s important that we have some measure of a picture of this.
In verse 20 of our passage, we read...
20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
What I would like us to note from this method of death is the degradation involved in the process of crucifixion, particularly as it was carried out by the Romans.
Even within the Israelites people, just the idea of a body hung up on display was a demonstration of God’s curse upon that people. .
22 If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.
“For most capital offenses covered by Jewish Law, stoning was the form of punishment. On some occasions the dead body would be hung in public as a deterrent to further crime. This law made it illegal to do so overnight.” (GotQuestions.org)
But the Roman crucifixion took this a step further. Not only was a body hung up and put on display, but it was a living person that was hung there to die.
For the Romans, one of the key elements of this kind of death was a demonstration of their power. They wanted the people to know the kind of power that they wielded. And this was done in a couple of ways. Firstly, there was the humiliation of the person being crucified.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Ancient Views of Crucifixion
The cross was called the “infamous stake,” the “criminal wood,” and the “most evil cross” (Crucifixion, 7–8).
• Cicero described crucifixion as “the cruelest and most terrible punishment” (Verr. 2.5.165).
• Josephus called it “the most pitiable of deaths” (Jewish War 7.203).
Ancients also considered crucifixion to be the ultimate shame. For example, Celsus, the second century AD detractor of Christianity, wrote that Jesus had been executed in a “dishonorable and shameful way” (Origen, Against Celsus 6.10). The author of Hebrews wrote that Jesus “endured the cross, disregarding the shame” (Heb 12:2). In crucifixion, everything was done to humiliate and dishonor the victim in addition to torturing him or her to death.
Consider this in our own day. When we find someone treating another person poorly, and trying to humiliate them, very often this is done in order to build themselves up, or to make themselves look better. Well, this was the case in the crucifixion. The person crucified was huiliated and disgraced in order for the Romans to feel that they were powerful.
Obviously, the other side of this is that they would strike a sense of fear into the hearts of those looking on. Such a cruel form of punishment would serve as a deterrant to others if they would dare try to challenge the Roman rule. It kept the ordinary people in subjection to the authority of Rome.
But the treatment of those being crucified was utterly shocking. We’ve already considered the beating of Jesus. This was in fact the first step in the process of crucifixion. They would utterly torture the person before leading them out to be crucified. They were racked, mutilated, often had their eyes burned out. We can scarecely believe what was done.
After being tortured, they would be made to carry the cross on which they were to be crucified.
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
What we should keep in mind is that this was a very public event. It was done before the eyes of all the people. The procession to the place of execution was in a sense part of this event of public humiliation. Jesus was evidently struggling to carry the cross himself, and so had someone brought in to help him.
And then there was the crucifixion itself. In this case, nails were driven into the hands of Jesus. And he was lifted up in order to go through this slow and painful death.
The point of all of this is to see the degradation that was involved in a person enduring such a death. We’ve so trivialised this in our minds. Softened it. If we had to see anything similar taking place in our own day, before our very eyes, we would think the people who did these things to be animals… that’s just how we view things in our current context.
But note also that this was the will of the people - particularly the religious leaders.
As Pilate attempted to engage with the crowds that were gathered before him, he made the effort to have Jesus released, because he could find no fault in him. But it was the chief priests that were stirring up the crowds in order to have Jesus crucified. They longed for the crucifixion to be brought to Jesus.
12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.
13 “Crucify him!” they shouted.
14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
All that is left to be said in this regard is that this, too, was within the sovereign plan of God. This was not something that was outside of his planned will. He knew that Jesus would be taken in such manner, and even allowed the hands of men to crucify His Son. Psalm 22 demonstrates this very clearly. A Messianic Psalm that clearly outlined the manner of death of the Son!
We also read in...
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Dear friends, there was no shortage of huiliation for Jesus Christ as he endured this suffering on the cross. It was quite honestly horrific.
Thirdly and finally from our passage, consider with me...
3. THE DEATH—vv. 33–38
3. THE DEATH—vv. 33–38
We know well that Christ died for us. But we also do well to pause and consider the pain and turmoil that accompanied this death of Jesus Christ. I’d like to point out three things concerning the death of Jesus. Firstly, we must consider...
3.1. The Darkness of the moment (v.33)
3.1. The Darkness of the moment (v.33)
In verse 33, we read...
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
The darkness that came about at the death of Jesus Christ was significant. There have been a number of things pointed out in terms of the importance of this darkness. In the Old Testament, this darkness was associated with deep mourning.
27 This is what the Lord says:
“The whole land will be ruined,
though I will not destroy it completely.
28 Therefore the earth will mourn
and the heavens above grow dark,
because I have spoken and will not relent,
I have decided and will not turn back.”
Here was indeed darkness that came over the face of the earth, because all heaven and earth was being plunged into the darkness of mourning for the creator King of all the earth, as He gave himself over to death at the hands of these sinful men.
But darkness was also a sign of the judgment of God. We’ve already read Jeremiah 4:27-28 which indicates this to some extent. But we see this also in Isaiah 13, and elsewhere in the prophets (e.g. Jeremiah 13:16; Joel 2:10 etc.)
14 Multitudes, multitudes
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and moon will be darkened,
and the stars no longer shine.
And here, in this moment, the judgment of God was being released against all the sins of man in a grand hour of judgment. Except that the recipient of that judgment, the one that would bear the suffering and pain of the aweful wrath of God was none other than the perfect, spotless, righteous lamb.
This is incredible!!
Jesus Christ was the very light of the world. He came in order to bring light. And yet, this very light of man was being slain by darkness…
Secondly, in terms of this death, we must consider...
3.2. The Disertion by the Father (v.34)
3.2. The Disertion by the Father (v.34)
In verse 34, we read these heart-wrenching words that formed the cry of Jesus Christ...
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
For the entirety of his life in this world, Jesus had kept in close communion with his Father. He said to Samaratin woman at the well,
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
He would often go into quiet places in order to commune with his father. If ever there was a relationship that was held in perfection, with no disagreement or contrariness involved, it was the relationship between Jesus and His Father. And Jesus had steadfastly and resolutely pursued the mission for which he had come. But the culminating point of his own mission meant a very real sense of separation.
Indeed, God was in essence giving his son over as a ransom for many. We can try and delve into the complexities of the fact that Jesus was God, and thus could not be separated from God. These things are beyond the ability of our minds to comprehend. The simple reality is, in that moment, Jesus cried out the words of the PSalmist from Psalm 22, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me.
Christ felt and experienced the full weight of the wrath of Almighty God. In this moment, a life lived in perfect obedience to the Father was subjected to the Father’s righteous wrath and judgment.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We cannot escape the fact that the punishment from God that was due to us was brought down in all its weight upon Jesus Christ. And so in this sense, there needs be a forsaking. Certainly, God’s hand was in this moment turned against the Son.
That leads us to consider the final aspect...
3.3. The Death of the Son (v.37)
3.3. The Death of the Son (v.37)
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The first thing that marked this death of Jesus was a “loud cry.” The full weight of the mission and purpose for which Christ had come struck him in this moment, and he recognised that this was the end. He was carrying upon himself the full weight of the sins of the world.
However, there is a point here that we should not miss. The very fact that he cried out is something that should be taken note of. The point of the death on the cross was that it was though asphyxiation. The longer you hung on the cross, the more you became starved of oxygen and the ability to even breath - let alone speak, or cry out. But Jesus cried out - it was a notable and forceful cry - one that was worth recording in these Gospel records.
The significance of this cry is found in the fact that Jesus was not finally exhausted at his death. The reason for his death was not merely asphyxiation, so much as it was his own willingness in that particular moment to give up his spirit.
In the parallel accounts in the other Gospels, we gain some helpful insight into this loud cry of Jesus, and the manner in which he died. In Luke’s account, we read...
46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Christ willingly surrendered his life for the sake of mankind. He willing gave himself up, and committed his spirit into his father’s hands. This was the cry that rang out from his lips. A loud cry.
Matthew the deat in these words...
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Jesus himself was the one that gave up his spirit.
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Christ willingly gave up his life, even in this manner, in order to bring salvation.
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
A.1. Repent and Believe in the Saviour
A.1. Repent and Believe in the Saviour
This was not an insignificant act by Jesus Christ. He gave himself up for our sake. There was no other sacrifice that would be acceptable before God in order to bring about the atonement for sins that was needed. There would be no hope for us to live in communion and fellowship with God, apart from the death of the perfect Saviour.
But the very fact that this man, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would come into the world and willingly offer up his life for you sake… this is profound. Surely we must turn to him. Surely we are called to forsake our sin. Surely, if we see something of the glory and power and holiness and majesty of God, we cannot ignore this call upon our lives?!
Galatians 1:4-5 tells us that Jesus...
4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Turn away from your sin. Repent of sin, place your trust fully in Jesus Christ. He is certainly our only hope!
A.2. Keep Trusting in the Saviour
A.2. Keep Trusting in the Saviour
As we consider that Christ was the perfect Saviour, we need to keep trusting completely and fully in him. Once we have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, there is nothing that could make us more pure or holy. We cannot add to a work that is perfect. In this sense, we cannot contribute to our salvation.
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Our Saviour is the perfect sacrifice that was made on our behalf. Trust in Him fully, and continuously. He is a perfect redeemer.
A.3. Follow the Example of the Saviour
A.3. Follow the Example of the Saviour
23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
When we truly understand the nature of the cross, and when we comprehend the manner in which our perfect Saviour went to the cross with such humility and perseverance in the face of severe suffering and persecution, then we will begin to see what it means to take up our cross daily and follow him.
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
There are so many implications and applications of this to real life. But just in summary, and as a closing exhortation, let us live our lives surrendered to Jesus Christ in obedience to Him.
And let us live our lives enduring every form of suffering that we may encounter for doing good, because our Saviour endured.
Who is able to do these things? Truly speaking, none of us.
Thanks be to God for the grace that is ours in Jesus Christ. Only let us press on to follow in the ways and steps of our Saviour. And may our lives bring glory and honour and praise to Him!
Amen.