The Crucifixion
Luke 23.33-38:
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on his right & one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others – let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up & offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Luke 23.44-47:
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
It is difficult still, over two thousand years later, to imagine the horror of this moment, as those closest to Jesus were forced to helplessly stand by as the massive spikes were driven through His hands and feet into the timber on which He would take His last breath.
His loved ones and disciples did not yet fully understand the meaning of what was taking place at the time. They were not yet able to understand that this evil deed of mankind was the result of divine purpose and planning for the salvation of all who would believe in Christ.
For us today, we are told, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2.3) We’re also further assured that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there’s no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4.12)
The brutal scene here of Christ’s crucifixion must move us to our knees – in sorrow, yes, but also in humble recognition and acceptance of this, the greatest of all sacrifices that Jesus so willingly offered for the forgiveness of our sins.