As followers of King Jesus, we are familiar with the profound truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins. This selfless act is a cornerstone of our faith, which should evoke deep appreciation in our hearts. We must grasp the gravity of the price paid for our spiritual liberation. To truly understand the depths of His sacrifice, we must delve into the agonizing journey He endured. In this article, we will explore the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as described in Luke 23:21-38, shedding light on the physical and emotional torment He experienced.
The problem we face is twofold. First, we often need to fully appreciate the extent of Christ’s suffering on our behalf. Second, we may need to grasp the significance of the crucifixion as a pivotal moment in human history.
To fully comprehend the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice, we must first explore the harrowing journey He embarked upon. In Luke 23:21, the crowd shouts, “Crucify him, crucify him.” This marked the beginning of Christ’s agonizing ordeal. The path to crucifixion was one of indescribable torment and degradation.
The resolution to our problem lies in acknowledging the excruciating suffering that Christ endured on the cross and recognizing that His sacrifice was the ultimate act of love and redemption for humanity.
The crucifixion of Jesus is a profound reflection of God’s love and mercy. Isaiah 53:4-6 and 1 Peter 2:21-24 remind us that Christ bore our sins on the cross, offering us a path to salvation. In Matthew 26:26-38, we see Jesus instituting the Holy Communion, signifying His broken body and shed blood for our forgiveness.
So, what does this all mean for us? The consequence of understanding the depth of Christ’s suffering is life-changing. We must appreciate the unimaginable pain He endured in the scourging and on the cross.
Scourging: The “Little Death”
Scourging was a gruesome precursor to crucifixion. In Matthew 27:27, we read that the victim was stripped and fastened face down to a two-foot-high post. The “flagra,” a whip with iron chains ending in weights, was used by professionals known as “lictors.” They could flay a man alive, and Hebrew law limited the strokes to 40 (Deuteronomy 25:3; 2 Corinthians 11:24). Roman law only prohibited the victim from dying during this brutal ordeal.
The suffering was so extreme that some individuals bit their tongues in agony. To hasten death on the cross, soldiers sometimes had to break the legs of the crucified (John 19:31-34) and even pierced Jesus’ side with a spear after His death (John 19:34). This horrific method of execution resembled the slow, agonizing death of tetanus, involving the continuous contraction of every muscle in the body.
Crucifixion: The “Big Death”
Crucifixion was considered a curse (Galatians 3:13). The scourged individual would carry his cross to the execution site, where iron spikes were driven through his hands and his feet were nailed. The cross was set up so that the maximum amount of sunlight would be in the victim’s face, heightening their discomfort.
This execution was reserved for slaves, thieves, and traitors and was intentionally designed to be shameful. The crucified were typically left nude, unwanted, and unclaimed. Mark 15:43 mentions Joseph of Arimathea as a rare exception.
The Profound Implication for Us: Shall I Crucify My Savior?
Understanding the intense suffering endured by Christ forces us to reflect on our own lives and choices. Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:23-31 prompt us to consider the weight of our actions and their consequences. To fully appreciate Christ’s sacrifice is to understand the redemption He offers us and the responsibility it places upon us.
In conclusion, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a culmination of suffering, shame, and sacrifice unparalleled in human history. It serves as a profound reminder of God’s love and the lengths He went to redeem humanity. By truly comprehending the torment Christ bore, we can live with a renewed sense of gratitude and responsibility, ensuring that His sacrifice was not in vain.
‌~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
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