Today as I begin to write on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as told by the writers of the four gospels and the story timeline as I believe as it transpired on that fateful day over 2026 years ago. But first I want to try and explain what a death by crucifixion consisted of. It was a terrible experience for sure, it also was one that brought about complete embarrassment to the victims, as they hung there totally nude before those who had gathered to watch the spectacle.
The method of crucifixion usually started with a brutal beating by scourging by a whip with metal or bone pieces embedded in the lashes. This was designed to inflict maximum damage without killing the victim first. This set the stage for a painful death on the cross by those who were condemned. Then the victim had to carry the wooden crossmember to the execution area. The vertical post was already secured in place, ready for the crossmember. Wood was not in plentiful supply, so the two piece cross was the method of execution the Romans invented.
The victim arrived at the spot totally exhausted and was then stripped naked to maximize their shame and embarrassment. Their arms were held to the cross bar and then nailed into position, and then a rope was wrapped around it to help support their weight. The nails were driven through the wrist with large iron nails. The crossmember with the person attached was then lifted into place upon the upright post. Then their legs were nailed into position in a slightly bent position and secured to the post with a large nail through the heel bone to support their weight and also allowed the victim to lift themselves up enough for them to be able to breathe to prevent immediate death by asphyxiation.
If the condemned were to die the same day, the soldiers were given the order to break their legs to hasten death, as this prevented them in being able to help lift themselves up to catch a breath. The tool they used was an iron club that was used to break their shin bones which caused rapid suffocation and death. I hope this gives you a small look into what our Lord was going through that day, except it was even more drastic for him, as he was innocent of all charges, but he willingly became our substitute and suffered our sins by his death for all those who will believe.
Let’s start our timeline with Mark 15:2, “and it was the 3rd hour, and they crucified him.” Here we get a look into the hour that Jesus was nailed to the cross was about 9am in the morning by those Roman soldiers. As they nailed him to this wood crossbeam, Jesus did not flinch or try to pull away as he gave his arms willingly as the lamb of God that was about to be sacrificed for all mankind. As they nailed him to this beam Jesus prayed for them, as he asked his Father to forgive them for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).
The soldiers then lifted up the wooden beam with Jesus attached to it, and secured it to the vertical post that was secured in the ground waiting on its next victim. This act also causes even more pain as he is suspended between Heaven and earth as Gods perfect sacrifice for all of us humans.
Jesus is hanging suspended between two thieves who are also being crucified with him, he hears the cruel taunts of the people, and also of the 2 thieves who are also casting insults at him (Matthew 27:44). Luke gives us more information as to what each thief said in Luke 23:39-43. The one thief railed against Jesus but the other one came to Jesus defense, as he asked the Lord to remember him as he came into his kingdom. Jesus replies “verily I say unto you, today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” (verse 43). As Jesus hung there in agony, he was still in charge, as he forgave him and assured him that he would be with him.
Sometime between 9am and noon, Jesus sees his mother and his favorite disciple John, as they stand there looking at him on the cross. Out of all the disciples, John is the only one with enough courage to be there. Mary is to be expected as Jesus is her firstborn son, and a mother’s love will overcome all fear and do what she has to do. Jesus looks down at his mother and tells her that from this day forward she is to go and live with John as his mother. Then he looks at John and tells him, take Mary home and be her son, and from that hour he takes her into his home as his own mother, (John 19:26-27).
Around the 6th hour, or noon time, the sky has become darker then it has ever been before. It was not a total eclipse as some think, it is supernatural in scope and it is making everything dark for 3 hours. By this time Jesus has been hanging there for about 3 plus hours in misery and pain. But this is what he was born for and he has willingly submitted to this heinous torture and death for us. Read John 3:16 and you will begin to understand why.
I will stop here and continue with my next letter with the 9th hour, today around 3pm, as I continue with the story of how Jesus dies for all mankind, and what transpired that fateful day so long ago. I am constantly amazed as to the incredible things we do to each other in the name of Religion. I love you all and remember you will make it, just don’t give up. See you next time as we study Gods Word together.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 