Issue 1564 – The Cross – October 2, 2024

I’ve been meditating on Jesus and the cross of late. At times, the topic is so familiar that I grow complacent, almost immune to it. Other times, when I truly stop to think about it, the topic boggles my mind.

Jesus was a man, and His death was entirely natural.  He died a physical human death, albeit a painful one. He was whipped, beaten, tortured, and nailed to a cross. He most likely died of suffocation.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 

Jesus’ death was unnatural. He was holy and sinless. Death had no hold on Him.

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 1 Peter 2:22

His death was prophesied. While God knows the hour and means of everyone’s death, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were made known long before He took on flesh.

…they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9

His death was entirely supernatural. It was different from any other death, just as His birth was different from any other birth. No one could have taken His life. He chose to lay it down.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.  John 10:17-18

His death was accompanied by supernatural phenomena. Darkness covered the land for hours, and an earthquake rocked Jerusalem. The dead were seen risen from their graces. The temple veil was torn in two from the top. As we will see, some of his final words were spoken in specific fulfillment of prophecy.

The Romans crucified many people, not just Jesus and the two beside Him. No one knows the exact number, but it certainly easily runs into the hundreds of thousands or perhaps even more than a million. In 71 BC, the Romans crucified more than 11,000 slaves after a single rebellion.  

After the fall of Jerusalem, there is no record of the numbers, but estimates put the number of dead between 600,000 and 1,000,000. Not all were killed by crucifixion, of course, but the roadway was lined with crosses for miles. Josephus, the historian, records 500 people a day being captured and crucified, so many that they ran out of wood for the crosses and places to put them.

However, many died by crucifixion (and it was practiced by many people groups, not just the Romans), and none were accompanied by the supernatural signs that followed Jesus’ death. None were followed by the resurrection of the victim.

Our Lord endured the shame of the cross to set us free. In one way, His death was one of perhaps millions on the cross over the ages. Yet it was unique in that the spotless, sin-free lamb of God willing endured it to pay for my sin and yours. He knew it was coming, and the world had been prepared in advance.

Sometimes, when I think of what Jesus willingly endured for me despite my sin and rebellion, I weep. What incredible love He has for us.

Until then, rejoice in the Lamb who was slain, the one the grave could not hold.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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