The Crucifixion: Pt. 1

As Christians, we all know that Christ died on the cross and shed his blood for us. We all know that he would go on to be buried, conquer death, and come back after three days. But what we all need reminded of from time to time ( I know I certainly do ) is what exactly he went through.

The Mental

Christ's torture started well before the soldiers even laid a hand on him. His anguish started mentally before it ever started physically. Jesus knew why he was put on the earth. He knew that a final sacrifice was needed and he knew of the pain that was coming. I'm not exactly sure when and how long he knew but the last supper with his disciples is a good example of his knowledge. Jesus said in the book of Matthew, "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." He knew that one of his chosen, one of his friends, would betray him. And he knew exactly who would do it. Imagine knowing that someone you are close with would betray you and send you to your death. Jesus knew this yet still loved Judas and did nothing to stop him.

Jesus would then take the bread from the table, bless it, break it and give it to the disciples saying "Take, eat; this is my body". He then took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them and said "Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Jesus KNEW his body would be broken. He KNEW his blood would be shed. He knew that there was a flood of pain and anguish coming, yet he still enjoyed the meal and ended the supper singing a hymn with his disciples.

A personal anecdote from last year; I was prepping food for the week and was cutting grilled chicken into strips when my negligence brought the knife down right into my thumb. It happened in the blink of an eye but the knife made it about half way into my thumb before I yelled out in pain. I dropped the knife and began clutching my bleeding thumb over the sink. The pain was excruciating. Luckily my wife sprang into action, grabbing a towel and holding around my thumb as we both sat on the floor trying not to pass out. Now this isn't even a fraction of a percent of what Jesus went through but we've all done something like this before. Whether it's a knife in the thumb, a broken bone, etc, we've all experienced crazy painful experiences. But they come suddenly and without warning. Now imagine that you KNOW this experience is coming. You know that later today you're going to break your arm in several places. You know it's coming and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Going throughout my day or week knowing I was going put a knife into my thumb, with no way of stopping it, would have been absolute torture.

Thinking of what was on the horizon, Jesus prayed to God in Gethsemane "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." He knew the time was drawing near and knew what was needed of him. He knew of cruelty that was to come.

Jesus was taken from the garden by officers who were brought by the Judas, who had betrayed him with a kiss. A kiss, which is an act of love, was used to betray the Son of God. They bound him and took him away as he felt the betrayal and knowing full well that Peter would go on to deny him as well.

Jesus was then taken to be interrogated by the high priest about his doctrine and his disciples. He was slapped and spit on by those around him, his clothes were pulled and ripped. This is where the humiliation begins. Jesus was held overnight until he was delivered to Pilot. He had all night to think about what had happened and what was going to happen. He had all night to dwell on the emotional blows of his friends Judas and Peter. And he knew the humiliation and the torture had not even begun.

The next morning Jesus stood, bound, in front of Pilot, the chief priests and multitudes of people. Pilot, having found no real reason for Jesus to even be there, turned to the crowd and let the people decide his fate. And when given the choice, the people chose Barabbas, a known and convicted murderer to be set free. Jesus had to stand there while the crowds chose a killer to be set loose over him. He stood and listened to them cry out and chant for him to be crucified. Not just put to death but they wanted him savagely killed on a cross. Jesus stood, falsely accused and humiliated, listening to the hate and anger. He stood knowing what more was to come.