They crucified him. John 19:17,18
Super Tuesday this week did not record any victories in the southern states of Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee where a killer storm shredded a path and killed more than 55 people, leaving hundreds injured and homeless and billions of dollars in damage. One of our affiliated Southern Baptist Universities (UnionUniversity, Jackson,
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. John 19:18
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, and between two harden criminals like that of Barabbas, he was brutality crucified. After his intense beating throughout the night that left him marred and scarred beyond recognition, he is forced to carry huge timbers up a steep hill called Golgotha. There they stripped him and with two cold nails, they rivet and fasten his warm compassionate hands into the wood. Being fixed to the cross, they lift it and drop it into a hole! Lastly, with another nail, they place one foot on top of the other and drive it into the flesh separating the bones as he is literally being held in suspension until he suffers and tastes death for all men. He had no place to lay his head will be forever pronounced in this setting. “Behold the man”!
They crucified him. The victim is now crucified on a cross like a piece of meat hanging in a slaughter house—yet still alive. Very much alive to say to those who crucified him, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Lifted up as a brass serpent fashioned under the judgment of fire, he is on a pole for the entire world to see. He said, If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me. They lifted him up, but it was Jesus who laid himself down—he said: no man takes my life from me; I lay it down and will take it again. For many criminals it would take days for death to come, but for the Son of God, he willingly, voluntarily and still in his own power ceased to live in somewhat six eternal hours on the cross. Volumes of books for which the world has not enough shelves could be written from three simple words—They crucified him!
“…and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst”. Jesus suffered a sacrificial, viscous death for all men. Indeed, He was numbered with transgressors. Friend, it makes no difference who you are, what you have done, or how many sins your have committed, there is a Savior who is found in the midst of you, ready to forgive and take you to heaven. Like the repentant thief, ask for mercy and call on him now. Today may be your death-bed.
It seems to me that we have the wrong image of his crucifixion today. We have fashioned the cross from the best of metals and polished it to a luster of brilliancy for the adornment of the flesh. But I say to you, the cross on which our Lord was crucified on was not pretty. It was the last thing that anyone would want to bear; it was a horrible ending under the hammer of God’s judgment. When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Jesus, keep me near the cross—there a precious fountain, free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calv’ry’s mountain. Today, I will cherish the old rugged cross…above all my possessions, and exchange one day for a crown.
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