Jesus is Crucified

GOLDEN TEXT: “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

MATTHEW 27:32-44, 54

THE story of Jesus’ crucifixion never grows old. But to appreciate its full significance in the plan of God it is necessary to remember that it was voluntary. As Jesus explained in our Golden Text for last Sunday, no man took his life from him; he laid it down of himself. He had the power, or the authority, from his Heavenly Father to do this, and the assurance that it would be an acceptable offering for the sins of the world.

“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall,” the record states, but he refused to drink it. This mixture was used to deaden pain, and apparently Jesus reasoned that he had no right to do anything which would decrease the amount of suffering involved in being the sin-bearer of the world.

After they hung Jesus upon the cross, the guards and a few others waited for the Prince of Life to die. “And sitting down they watched him there,” the account reads. What a scene to watch! Little did they realize that they were watching the most outstanding manifestation of divine love that will ever be known to man. Nor did they realize that the death of the One whom they watched while he died provided an opportunity of everlasting life for them.

The two principal charges against Jesus which led to his crucifixion were both made prominent during his dying hours. These charges were related to his claims to kingship and sonship. The inscription at the head of the cross called attention to one—“This is the king of the Jews.” Those who sat and “watched him there” also ridiculed his claim to being the Son of God.

“If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross,” they cried. It was undoubtedly Satan who inspired this challenge, for it was the same sort of thing that Satan presented to the Master at the beginning of his ministry. Then the devil said, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down” from the pinnacle of the temple. (Matt. 4:5-7) It was a challenge to prove his claim of sonship, and this same challenge was hurled at him when he was hanging on the cross.

“He has saved others; himself he cannot save,” the crowd shouted. How little did they know that by his refusal to save himself Jesus was providing salvation for them; and not only for them, but for all the families of the earth!

These challenges and jeers which were hurled against Jesus while hanging on the cross climaxed what the Apostle Paul later described as great “contradiction of sinners” against the Master, and which finally resulted in his death. (Heb. 12:3) But only because he voluntarily surrendered to his enemies. In reality, Jesus is the One who conquered.

Mob action has a way of influencing about everyone within reach. It was thus when Jesus was crucified. The two thieves who were crucified with the Master could hardly have had any personal prejudice against him. Under the circumstances, we might suppose they would have been inclined to manifest sympathy; but not so, for we read, “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.”—vs. 44

Luke’s account (ch. 23:39-43) indicates that only one of the thieves or malefactors, as he calls them—joined sarcastically in the jeering. This is not necessarily out of harmony with Matthew’s record, which indicates that both joined with the crowd in saying, “He has saved others; himself he cannot save.” Luke’s record includes the challenge, “If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.”

Luke’s account says that the one malefactor “railed on him, saying, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us.” The other malefactor rebuked his companion for this, but finally himself asked, “Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Thus both asked that Jesus help them, their requests being based upon the supposition, sincere or otherwise, that he did possess such power.

One, however, recognized that Jesus was being crucified without a just cause. He had heard the clamor, “If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself,” and he saw the inscription over the cross, “This is the King of the Jews.” This is why he asked to be remembered in the kingdom over which Jesus was the King. It was an impassioned cry in the darkness of approaching death. So far as the onlookers were concerned, it was little different from their jeers.

But Jesus noted the difference, and said to the malefactor, “Verily I say unto you today, Thou shalt be with me in paradise.” It may be that the malefactor was unable to believe this, but it serves to reveal Jesus’ full confidence in his Heavenly Father’s plans. He knew why he was dying, and that he would be raised from the dead. He knew that at his second advent he would be the greatest of all Kings, and would be able to reward the thief in the restored paradise.

QUESTIONS

What is one of the important things to remember in connection with Jesus’ death?

Why did Jesus give himself up to die?

What was the difference in the attitude of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus?

When will paradise be restored?

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