Why Crucifixion?

Introduction

Baeder-Menhof Phenomenon—Mind uses confirmation bias and takes note of patterns.

- Buy a new vehicle, then notice how many of them are around you

“The cross is the center of the world's history; the incarnation of Christ and the crucifixion of our Lord are the pivot round which all the events of the ages revolve. The testimony of Christ was the spirit of prophecy, and the growing power of Jesus is the spirit of history.”

– Alexander MacLaren

OT Points to the cross

· Gen 3:15—"He shall bruise you on the head…”

· Gen 22 – Abraham & Isaac

-Father sacrifices son

-Son carries the wood

-3 days journey

-“God will provide a sacrifice”

· Ex 15:25 – bitter water made whole with piece of wood

· Num 9:12—none of his bones shall be broken

· Dt 21:23—cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree

· Ps 22: 1,16,18—"…why have you forsaken me…pierced my hands and feet…divide my garments among them”

· Ps 31:5—"…into your hands I commit my spirit”

· Ps 34:20—"He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.”

· Is 50:6—"I gave my back to the those who strike Me…”

· Is 53: 1-12—"…wounded for our transgressions…He himself bore the sin of many…”

· Hos 6:2—“…he will raise us up on the third day…”

· Zech 12:10—“…look on Me whom they have pierced…”

OT Reveals the cross

· Ex 12—Passover blood on doorpost

· Ex—tabernacle arrangement

· Num 2—camp arrangement of tribes

· Num 21:4-9 – bronze serpent

· Jud—Samson pushing the pillars

· Dt—Moses holding his arms up during the battle

NT Explains the cross

“having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Col. 2:14)

“and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Pet. 2:24)

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’” (Col 3:13)