The Crucifixion of Jesus
Matthew 27.45: Mark 15.33: Luke 23.44: John 19.25
Crucifixion was an ancient form of execution carried out by Rome on slaves and non-Romans for capital offences against the State. Alexander the Great has the dubious honour of introducing it to Europe. Though closely associated with Rome it originated with the Phoenicians, present day Tunisia, Persians and other eastern countries. In 337AD Constantine I banned its use when he declared the Christian Faith to be the new State religion. A crucifix with an image of Jesus is the main religious symbol for Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox, but most Protestant Christians prefer to use the cross without the figure.
There were many forms of cross but from the Biblical description of making Jesus carry a cross bar it suggests a post or pole already driven into the ground at the place of execution and a bar affixed to this at the time of execution by ropes or nails. Depictions of crosses usually show the victim high up but in fact their feet were only a few inches above the ground within reach of the execution party.
Jesus, weakened by scourging, lack of sleep, water and food was too weak to carry the cross bar through the narrow streets crammed with onlookers and the Centurion in charge of the execution seized a man from the crowd, Simon of Cryrene (Libya), and gave him the cross bar to carry behind Jesus. At the site were two other criminals already nailed up, one on the right and one on the left, and one of them joined in the mockery and jeers against Jesus but the other criminal rebuked him saying. “We indeed are justly punished for our misdeeds but this man has done nothing wrong.” To Jesus he said, “Remember me when you come to your kingdom”. Jesus replied, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise.”
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It stated in Aramaic, Latin and Greek ‘Jesus of ‘Nazareth, The King of the Jews’. The chief priests protested to Pilate ” Do not write ‘The King of the Jews’.” And Pilate said “What I have written, I Have written”
At the sixth hour darkness fell all over the land until the ninth hour, the sun was obscured and the veil of the temple was torn in two opening direct access between God and man. At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, EIoi, lama sabachthani”, which translated meant “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”. Jesus uttered a loud cry and breather His last. The Centurion who was standing close to the cross said, “Truly this man was the Son of God”.
There were also women looking on from a distance, among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary His mother, Mary the mother of James the younger, Salome, the other Mary watching all these things. These women used to follow Him and provide for Him when He was in Galilee and there were many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem.
Lilian
Feb 2012
