The Bible could have provided very shocking details about the crucifixion of Jesus. It simply records that a man named Simon, who had two sons, Alexander and Rufus, later leaders in the church, carried his cross.
They came to Golgotha, offered him a sedative to drink, which he refused, and then they crucified him.
What’s interesting is that while this was going on, preparations were being made in the temple to sacrifice the first lamb of Passover. While the chief priests were busy getting the lamb ready, the true Lamb of God was giving his life for the sins of all human beings (See Matthew 27.32-35).
Jesus was charged by the religious authorities for leading the people astray by magic, as recorded in the Gospel of John. In Matthew, the charge they levied against him was blasphemy.
The Roman government had a different charge; they considered him a rebel in their empire. They placed a sign above his head that read, “King of the Jews” (Matthew 27.36).
Crucifixion was learned from the Persians, and it was believed in that day to be the most horrific way for a human being to die. The people around the cross were not content to allow Jesus to suffer the way he did. They added insult after insult to his pain.
Here are some of the things that they said.
“You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.”
“He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” (see Matthew 27.37-44)
God Hides His Son
I agree with T.W. Hunt that the time of absolute darkness over the land was God’s way of hiding from the world what was transpiring with His Son.
During that time, Jesus was suffering not just the pain of crucifixion or the insults of the crowd around the cross. He was suffering for the sins of every human who has ever lived or will live on earth.
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27.45-46).
God Reveals His Son
When Jesus had completed the three-hour task of suffering for all of humanity, God was free to reveal the true impact of His Son’s work.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.
The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection, they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.
Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (Matthew 27.51-54).
The curtain in the temple separated the Most Holy Place of Israel from ordinary human beings. When that curtain was torn, it symbolized that the dividing line between human beings and God had been removed. We are able to be friends of God because of His gracious act through His Son.
God does not leave us without a witness. After Jesus’ resurrection, saints who were raised from the dead told the story of God’s love and forgiveness.
Based on his experience overseeing the death of Jesus, the Roman head of the crucifixion detail declared Jesus to be God’s Son.
Unlike the male disciples, the women remained faithful to Jesus to the end.
Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.
Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27.55-56).
I hope that at some time you have taken the time to open your Bible and prayerfully meditate on these last hours of our Savior. If you have, I am sure God has given you revelations like those that T.W. Hunt had and related his readers.
Today, let’s give God praise for His love and grace.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 