The Crucified God

Death by crucifixion was one of the harshest punishments the

Romans meted out to anyone. It was considered the worst way to die.

Thus, how horrific for anyone to be killed that way, in particular the

Son of God! Jesus, we must always remember, came in human flesh

like ours. Between the beatings, the scourgings, the nails hammered

into His hands and feet, and the harrowing weight of His own body

tearing at the wounds, the physical pain must have been unbearable.

This was harsh, even for the worst of criminals; how unfair, then, that

Jesus, innocent of everything, should face such a fate.

Yet, as we know, Christ’s physical sufferings were mild in contrast to

what really was happening. This was more than just the killing of an

innocent man.

What events surrounding the death of Jesus showed that more was

going on than most people there understood at the time? What

significance can we find in each of these events that can help reveal

what happened there?

Matt. 27:45

Matt. 27:51, 52

Mark 15:38

Clearly, something much more was happening here than just the

death, however unfair, of an innocent man. According to Scripture,

God’s wrath against sin, our sin, was poured out upon Jesus. Jesus on

the cross suffered a righteous God’s righteous indignation against sin,

the sins of the whole world. As such, Jesus suffered something deeper,

darker, and more painful than any human being could ever know or

experience.

As you go through whatever struggles you are facing, what hope

and comfort can you draw from the reality of Christ suffering for

you on the cross?