When we see in the news where a gang member kills a rival gang’s member, we are saddened by the depravity of our world. When a man beats a preschool child to death in an uncontrolled fit, we are outraged and demand justice. Taking the life of one whom seems innocent and incapable of defending oneself is morally reprehensible. Yet, what is our response to the gruesome torture of a man who never sinned and possessed nothing more than love in His heart?
The thought of Jesus’ great pain and chosen agony has become common in the Church. People wear crosses as jewelry and take “Holy Communion” ritualistically. We sing hymns and praise songs about the wonderful blood of Jesus with gleeful bliss. How often, though, do we serious consider the extreme pain endured by our Savior? Upon further contemplation, I pray that I would not consider the thought so lightly. Jesus endured the cross because I am a sinner in need of the salvation that only Jesus could provide- on the cross.
When Jesus was in Gethsemane praying, the thought of enduring the physical aspect of the cross must have been staggering. Jesus had surely seen the display of the worst Judean criminals displayed upon the crosses outside the city. Their near lifeless and mauled bodies were barely recognizable as men. Jesus knew the extent of pain the torture of the next eighteen hours would present. So He went to the garden to pray. He needed the strength that only God the Father could provide.
The following is a description of crucifixion by theologian Matt Slick of Christian Apologetic and Research Ministry. I want to forewarn you that the reality of the cross is horrific and you may not want to continue reading this if you are eating breakfast or on your lunch break. Nevertheless, we must contemplate the physical side of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. (You can read the full article at
http://carm.org/christianity/miscellaneous-topics/crucifixion-jesus)
The following is an excerpt:
Normally, there was a permanent stake in the ground. The victim carried the crossbar on his back to the stake. The crossbar usually weighed between 50 and 75 lbs. Sometimes the person was nailed to the crossbar, other times he was tied to it. The crossbar, and victim, were then hoisted into place. One method was to hoist the crossbar into a notch on top of the stake so the whole thing looked like a T. Another method was to place the crossbeam a few feet below the top making a cross. Yet another method was to nail or tie the person to a single stake in the ground. Usually a small sign on a pole with the crime written on it was carried ahead of the victim in front of the procession to the cross. It was then nailed to the cross above the head of the victim.
When nails were used, they were driven through the wrists between the radial and ulna bones and not through the palms since the nail would have ripped through the palm because the palm could not withstand all the weight of the body.
Normally a person was laid down upon the cross beam and a nail driven into one wrist. Then the other hand was pulled very tightly and another nail driven into the other wrist. The nails were usually about 6-8 inches long. Placing the nail in the wrist severs the median nerve resulting in a burning pain as well as paralysis in the hand.
Once Jesus was lifted to the cross, His feet were nailed to it. But, in order to do this, His knees were bent and the feet brought up a bit to allow them to lie flat against the stake so they could be nailed to it. Once suspended, the force of gravity brings the weight of the body down and the shoulders and elbows dislocate by popping out of joint, ripping ligaments.
Because of the outstretched position of the arms, the chest cavity is in a perpetually expanded state and it is very difficult to breathe. With the severe loss of blood from the scourging and crucifixion, Jesus would have become dehydrated and His body would have less blood to carry oxygen. Therefore, His heart would beat faster as it attempted to compensate and His need for oxygen would increase greatly. In order to breath, Jesus had to push up on the nails in His feet to allow His chest enough flexibility to inhale. Pushing up on the nails is not only excruciating, but this meant that He had to scrap His raw, beaten back against the rough wooden stake. This whole process of breathing and exhaling by pushing up on the nails only increases in intensity as time passes. Soon, the body gets to the point of no return and the heart either ruptures or the person dies from asphyxiation. But, before that happened, the blood loss results in extreme thirst as the body craves water to restore the lost blood. Jesus said, “I thirst” (John 19:28), whereupon a soldier offered Him some sour wine (Luke 23:36), but Jesus refused it — because He would not seek to escape any of the ordeal.
End of excerpt.
Father God, may I never again take Your love and sacrifice of Jesus for granted again!
Shepherding Well 