And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him.
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And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre. John 19:17-18
Crucifixion was a common and cruel form of execution reserved for the worst criminals. The Romans never used this form of execution against their own citizens. The condemned hung for hours, sometimes days, until life slowly and painfully ebbed out of them. Corpses of crucified criminals hung alongside busy roads and in public places. The Romans thus proudly demonstrated their authority.
In addition to the pain of having nails driven into hands and feet was the even more torturous pain that racked the body when the cross was raised. The entire body stretched out, muscles cramped, ligaments tore and the weight of the body against the foot nails caused unbearable pain. The body had already been torn apart by scourging, and huge, open wounds remained where pieces of flesh had been ripped off. Hanging outstretched, it was almost impossible to breathe, together with muscle cramps, sent waves of intense pain throughout the body, which instinctively twitched and distorted. And blood ran unceasingly from crushed arteries.
A sign was nailed to the cross: “Jesus Christ, King of the Jews” written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek for everyone to read and understand. The taunting continued to the bitter end. From the sixth hour until the ninth, when Jesus died, at three o’clock in the afternoon, that Friday known as Good Friday, it was totally dark. Nature mourned and heaven mourned. Adam and Eve’s rebellion had drawn humanity into unimaginable darkness. Now as darkness hovered over the cross, sin was finally atoned for.
Let's pray:
Eternal God, our Heavenly Father, you demonstrated your unfathomable love to us by giving us your only begotten Son. Through your Son our sins are forgiven. We were once lost in darkness but now we are in the light. From death and condemnation we now have access to eternal life. Thank you God for your greatest and unspeakable gift. Amen.
Selie Visa