The Crucifixion

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

MATTHEW 27:33-50

OUR Memory Verse reminds us of the purpose of Jesus’ death in the divine plan. It was a manifestation of God’s love on behalf of the sin-cursed and dying race. John 3:16 declares the same great truth—“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God released his only begotten Son from the heavenly courts to become flesh, and he gave him in death as a substitute for fallen Adam and his race, confirming Jesus’ own prophecy that he would give his flesh for the life of the world.—John 6:51

The Apostle Paul wrote that Jesus gave himself a “ransom,” meaning a corresponding price, and that this great expression of Jesus’ love and of the Father’s love, will be testified, or made known, to all in due time. (I Tim. 2:3-6) Again Paul set forth the divine plan of redemption through Christ, when he wrote, “Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”—I Cor. 15:21,22

In Hebrews 12:3 we read that Jesus “endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.” An example of this was experienced by the Master while he hung dying on the cross. He came into the world to be a king—the “King of kings and Lord of lords”—yet it was his claim to kingship that was displayed above the cross as the crime for which he was being crucified. (Rev. 19:16) His enemies said, “If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.”—vs. 42

Jesus was also the beloved Son of God, yet this great reality of his life was contradicted, “If thou be the Son of God,” his accusers shouted, “come down from the cross.” (vs. 40) Jesus endured this contradiction of sinners because he knew that it was the divine plan for him to die in order that he might redeem Adam and his race from death. For this reason,—just as he did nothing to defend himself while on trial—so now he did nothing to prove to his enemies that they were wrong. He died willingly under this cloud of false accusations.

The Roman soldiers offered Jesus vinegar to drink mixed with gall. (vs. 34) Jesus tasted it, and then refused to drink. This potion was possibly used as an anesthetic to help deaden the pain associated with crucifixion, but Jesus did not choose to lighten his burden of pain. Thus he demonstrated again that his death was voluntary, that the giving up of his life was of his own free will.

Shortly before he became unconscious in death, Jesus cried out to his Heavenly Father, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (vs. 46) Actually this was a quotation from a prophetic prayer recorded in Psalm 22:1. Much of this Psalm pertains to the crucifixion scene. The Psalm also states, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (vs. 18) Jesus saw this prophecy being fulfilled before him, and he began to quote the Psalm in which it was contained—“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Jesus was temporarily forsaken by the Heavenly Father. This was essential in order for him to die and take the sinner’s place in death. In God’s “favor is life.” —Ps. 30:5

Jesus knew this, and perhaps to be reminded of this prophetic Psalm by the events taking place before him served as an encouragement. It could be that he repeated this entire prayer, but being weak, only the beginning of it was audible to those standing by.

The prayer continues on a note of triumph. Jesus was contradicted concerning his belief that he would be a king in the Lord’s kingdom. But the prayer states, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations.”—vss. 27,28

QUESTIONS

What was the purpose of Jesus’ death?

What is the meaning of the word “ransom” as related to Jesus’ place in the divine plan of salvation?

Explain the philosophy of redemption.

Explain the manner in which Jesus endured “contradiction of sinners” in connection with his crucifixion.

Why did Jesus refuse to drink the vinegar that was offered to him?

What part of the 22nd Psalm was quoted by Jesus? Explain.

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