There is no ease for those being crucified. I can't imagine anything more barbaric. I can't wrap my mind around it. I know that for me all those pretty images of Jesus on the cross, Jesus before Pilate, and Jesus walking behind Simon, the man who carried his cross, were to sterile. They never made me think for one moment how Bloody this whole ordeal was. when I watched Mel Gibson's movie " The Passion Of The Christ" (you can see an exert here.) I never realized the horror of that day. It's almost to much to comprehend.
"He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed."
Isa. 53:5
Isa. 53:5
There were many things that happened after Jesus was nailed to the cross. There was the conversation with John to take care of his mother. Even with all that was going on Jesus wanted to make sure his mother was cared for. The guards gambled for his clothes. There were crowds of people still passing by the hill and watching the Crucifixion. There were 3 dying on that hill today. They were visible from the road. I can just imagine the insults and curses that were hurled at Jesus especially with the sign above his head reading "King of the Jews".
One of the things that took place was a brief conversation between Jesus and the two thieves on the crosses on either side of him. Luke 23: 32-43. One of the men hurled insults at Jesus saying "Aren't you suppose to be the Messiah, save yourself and us." The other thief saw things a different way. 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
I can relate to the second thief. I'm glad to know it's never to late ask God for forgiveness. Think about it. That thief didn't have to get perfect, buy a new suit and go to Church. He didn't have to do anything to get to Heaven other then have sorrow for his sin. I think that sorrow was also an acknowledgement of his sin and knowing he had a need for God's forgiveness. That was it. There was nothing else required. If there had been, Jesus couldn't have told him that Today, he would be with him.
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
I can't imagine the pain, but I really think the most painful thing for Jesus was when His Father God turned away from Him. They were separated just like our sin separates us from God and keeps us from Heaven. There is so much more we could talk about here. You may have even heard sermons on the last words of Christ along with many other things. Even if you've only attended a Christian Church on Easter you have heard some of the same things discussed.
Really when it's all said and done it all comes down to a couple of very basic things. The only plan of Salvation for mankind was to send Jesus to make the sacrifice for sin. Someone perfect had to take on the sin of all men for all time. The required sacrifice was to pay the penalty in Blood. The only way to purchase/Redeem mankind was for Jesus to die and be that sacrifice. He took our place so we could spend our Eternity with God.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
It was finished. Our Salvation was complete, But that's not what the disciples and the followers of Christ saw. No one understood all this yet. All they knew was that Jesus was dead. Their leader, Teacher, son, friend, confidant, healer, was dead. Their world really had come apart. They looked at the body of their Master and lost all hope. What now? They had no idea. I think the disciples headed back to that upper room. Plans needed to be made,
but the Sabbath was about to begin. It was Friday.
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