Easter week makes us recall the horrible and gruesome event of our Lord’s
crucifixion. But the story of Easter and the death of Christ on the Cross
doesn’t end with his death on Passover and his entombment. Our Lord arose from
the grave, triumphant over his foes and over death three days later on the
Jewish Sabbath.
On the evening before His crucifixion Jesus was gathered with His disciples in
the upper room, sharing with them some of the most intimate truths of His entire
ministry. As He discussed the love of the Father and His love for His disciples
he declared:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends. John 15:13
Though they did not realize it at the time, the disciples were only hours from
the practical realization of this truth. One of the subtle evidences of the
supernatural origin of the Biblical text is that astonishing events are often
described in extremely brief narratives. This is perhaps best illustrated in the
matter-of-fact way in which the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the most pivotal
event in the history of the universe, is described in the Gospel accounts. After
Jesus was examined and declared to be without fault by the Roman Procurator
Pontius Pilate, he delivered Him to be judged by the assembled crowd. When the
opportunity arose to decide the destiny of Jesus, the crowd and the Jewish
leadership cried out saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him."
The horrifying events of the next six hours were preceded by the simple words:
Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus,
and led him away. John 19:16
"Great Drops of Blood"
The physical suffering of Jesus began in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening
before His crucifixion. While the disciples slept, the Gospel of Luke records
that the Lord "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as
it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." The notion that
someone could actually sweat blood seems contrived. However, there is a rare but
recognized condition called hematohydrosis, in which capillary blood vessels
that feed the sweat glands rupture, causing them to express blood. This usually
occurs under conditions of extreme physical or emotional stress. Jesus wasn't
sweating blood because he was afraid of the physical pain of the cross.
Indeed, the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus looked forward to the cross:
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that
was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
The Trials After Jesus' Arrest
They led Him away to the High Priest Caiaphas, where the Scribes and elders were
assembled. During this inquisition we are told that "some began to spit on Him,
and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him 'Prophesy!' And the
officers struck Him with the palms of their hands." Beatings about the face
received by a blindfolded individual cause even worse trauma because the victim
cannot "roll with the punches." In the hours that followed Jesus received two
additional beatings at the hands of Roman soldiers. Severe disfigurement of the
face would certainly have resulted from the brutal treatment. It is likely that
the eyelids were swollen shut as a result of such beatings. This was done in
fulfillment of Isaiah 52:13-14: Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he
shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at
thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the
sons of men. [Comment: Isa. 52:14 in the NIV states, "Just as there were many
who were appalled at him, his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any
man and his form marred beyond human likeness ...." Isa. 50:6 states, "I offered
my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did
not hide my face from mocking and spitting." Several verses from Psalms give us
a more complete picture: "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and
despised by the people" (Psa. 22:6). "I am poured out like water, and all my
bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within
me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of
my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of
evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count
all my bones; people stare and gloat over me" (Psa. 22:14-17).]
The Scourging After His Trial
While standing before Pontius Pilate, Jesus was scourged (flogged) by the Roman
guards. This process typically involved a whip with numerous leather thongs,
18-24 inches long, with bits of metal, bone or glass embedded in the leather. At
times they would use an iron rod to beat the prisoner. According to Jewish
custom, a prisoner was usually flogged 39 times (forty minus one was a sign of
Jewish mercy!). Scourging was an extreme form of punishment. The skin on the
victim's back was usually shredded, thus exposing the underlying muscle and
skeletal structures. Severe blood loss and dehydration were the rule. Many
victims died from such scourging. After the scourging of Jesus, the Roman
soldiers beat Him a second time with their hands and with a reed. Then they put
on him a "crown of thorns." Jesus had not drunk since the night before, so the
combination of the beatings, the crown of thorns, and the scourging would have
set into motion an irreversible process of severe dehydration and
cardiorespiratory failure. All of this was done so that the prophecy of Isaiah
would be fulfilled: I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that
plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6
And: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we
are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Crucifixion
Crucifixion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 BC. It was "perfected"
by the Romans in the first century BC. It is arguably the most painful death
ever invented by man and is where we get our term "excruciating." It was
reserved primarily for the most vicious of criminals. The most common device
used for crucifixion was a wooden cross, which consisted of an upright pole
permanently fixed in the ground with a removable crossbar, usually weighing
between 75-100 lbs. Victims of crucifixion were typically stripped naked and
their clothing divided by the Roman guards. In Jesus' case this was done in
fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, "They divide My garments among them, and for My
clothing they cast lots." As a gesture of "Roman kindness" the prisoner was
offered a mixture of vinegar (gall) and wine as a mild anesthestic. This
anesthetic was refused by Jesus. Consequently, He bore it all! The Apostle Peter
stated of Jesus: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 The victim was then placed on his back, arms stretched
out and nailed to the cross bar. The nails, which were generally about 7-9
inches long, were placed between the bones of the forearm (the radius and ulna)
and the small bones of the hands (the carpal bones). The placement of the nail
at this point had several effects. First it ensured that the victim would indeed
hang there until dead. Secondly, a nail placed at this point would sever the
largest nerve in the hand called the median nerve. The severing of this nerve is
a medical catastrophe. In addition to severe burning pain the destruction of
this nerve causes permanent paralysis of the hand. Furthermore, by nailing the
victim at this point in the wrist, there would be minimal bleeding and there
would be no bones broken! Thus scriptures were fulfilled: I can count all my
bones: they look and stare upon me. Psalm 22:17 He keepeth all his bones: not
one of them is broken. Psalm 34:20
The positioning of the feet is probably the most critical part of the mechanics
of crucifixion. First the knees were flexed about 45 degrees and the feet were
flexed (bent downward) an additional 45 degrees until they were parallel with
the vertical pole. An iron nail about 7-9 inches long was driven through the
feet between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones. In this position the nail would
sever the dorsal pedal artery of the foot, but the resultant bleeding would be
insufficient to cause death.
The Catastrophic Result
The resulting position on the cross sets up a horrific sequence of events which
results in a slow, painful death. Having been pinned to the cross, the victim
now has an impossible position to maintain. With the knees flexed at about 45
degrees, the victim must bear his weight with the muscles of the thigh. However,
this is an almost impossible task, try to stand with your knees flexed at 45
degrees for 5 minutes. As the strength of the legs gives out, the weight of the
body must now be borne by the arms and shoulders. The result is that within a
few minutes of being placed on the cross, the shoulders will become dislocated.
Minutes later the elbows and wrists become dislocated. The result of these
dislocations is that the arms are as much as 6-9 inches longer than normal. With
the arms dislocated, considerable body weight is transferred to the chest,
causing the rib cage to be elevated in a state of perpetual inhalation.
Consequently, in order to exhale the victim must push down on his feet to allow
the rib muscles to relax. The problem is that the victim cannot push very long
because the legs are extremely fatigued.
As time goes on, the victim is less and less able to bear weight on the legs,
causing further dislocation of the arms and further raising of the chest wall,
making breathing more and more difficult. The result of this process is a series
of catastrophic physiological effects. Because the victim cannot maintain
adequate ventilation of the lungs, the blood oxygen level begins to diminish and
the blood carbon dioxide (C02) level begins to rise. This rising C02 level
stimulates the heart to beat faster in order to increase the delivery of oxygen
and the removal of C02. However, due to the pinning of the victim and the
limitations of oxygen delivery, the victim cannot deliver more oxygen and the
rising heart rate only increases oxygen demand.
So this process sets up a vicious cycle of increasing oxygen demand -- which
cannot be met -- followed by an ever increasing heart rate. After several hours
the heart begins to fail, the lungs collapse and fill up with fluid, which
further decreases oxygen delivery to the tissues. The blood loss and
hyperventilation combines to cause severe dehydration. That's why Jesus said, "I
thirst." Over a period of several hours the combination of collapsing lungs, a
failing heart, dehydration, and the inability to get adequate oxygen supplies to
the tissues cause the eventual death of the victim. The victim, in effect,
cannot breathe properly and slowly suffocates to death. In cases of severe
cardiac stress, such as crucifixion, a victim's heart can even burst. This
process is called "Cardiac Rupture." Therefore it could be said that Jesus died
of a "broken heart"!
To slow the process of death the executioners put a small wooden seat on the
cross, which would allow the victim the privilege of bearing his weight on his
buttocks. The effect of this was that it could take up to nine days to die on a
cross. When the Romans wanted to expedite death they would simply break the legs
of the victim, causing him to suffocate in a matter of minutes. At three o'clock
in the afternoon Jesus said, "Tetelastai," meaning "it is finished." Then He
gave up the ghost.
When the soldiers came to Jesus to break His legs, He was already dead. Not a
bone of Him was broken! How Should We Then Live? I realize that it is difficult
to read of the details of Jesus' physical sufferings. And yet, when we realize
that He looked forward, on our behalf, to the cross, we are overwhelmed with His
practical demonstration of love and, hopefully, a personal realization of our
unworthiness. How should we then live?
I believe that the Apostle Paul said it best for all of us:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11
Focus On Jerusalem Commentary: A short time after the resurrection of Christ, He
appeared on the road to Emmaus, confronting two of the Apostles. The following
dissertation from Luke chapter twenty-four portrays the reality of Christ’s
resurrection, and of his purpose for coming to this world to first suffer, and
then later to return to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To that great
day, Focus on Jerusalem is dedicated.
Luke 24:15-53 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and
reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were
holden that they should not know him. And he (Jesus) said unto them, What manner
of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are
sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art
thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come
to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said
unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and
word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted
that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to
day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also
of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when
they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of
angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us
went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they
saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that
the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to
enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded
unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew
nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have
gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent. And he (Jesus) went in to tarry with them.
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it,
and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and
he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart
burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us
the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and
found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The
Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were
done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they
thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace
be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had
seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts
arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle
me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when
he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet
believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took
it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I
spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled,
which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand
the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved
Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance
and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I
send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to
Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass,
while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And
they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were
continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.