THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS ​​(PART TWO)

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS ​​CHRIST

JOHN 19:16-18

16 Then he handed him over to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. 17 Jesus, carrying his cross, came to the place called the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There he was crucified, and two others with him, one on each side, and Jesus in the middle.

INTRODUCTION:

In the first part of this series on "The Crucifixion of Jesus," I began by discussing

"What the Bible Says About the Crucifixion of Jesus." In other words, what the Bible tells us, in narrative form, about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

I then defined "WHAT IS THE CRUCIFIXION" in simple terms so that you have a clear understanding of what happened at the crucifixion of Jesus. We then discussed the history and origins of crucifixion, as well as the reasons why Rome practiced it.

I continued my teaching by addressing "the process of condemnation," that is, the stages through which the condemned person passes until his death.

In the first part of my course, I took the time, as a teacher, to address with precision and simplicity the religious and prophetic significance of the crucifixion of Jesus in contemporary Christianity. By helping you understand, according to the Holy Scriptures, what religious and prophetic interpretation does the Church, the body of Christ, give to the crucifixion of Jesus?

We concluded the first part of this lesson by examining the historical perspectives of the crucifixion of Jesus and the interpretation given by ancient and modern historians. This brings me to a crucial point, a question that many historians ask themselves daily: Was Jesus crucified for political or religious reasons?

In this second part of this teaching on the crucifixion of Jesus, we will focus on what happened at Golgotha ​​during Jesus' crucifixion. This second part will lead us to examine every detail, from the place of condemnation to the crucifixion itself, all the way to his death, in order to discover the historical and prophetic teachings hidden behind the account of Jesus' crucifixion.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS ​​CHRIST

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is his execution on the cross, or his death on a cross.

This event took place in Judea, Palestine, probably in 30 or 33 AD. It is described in the Gospels as a defining event in Christianity, occurring after his trial before Pontius Pilate. The Gospel of John presents his death as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS:

Crucifixion was a cruel punishment that deprived the condemned of their dignity, and for Jesus, it symbolized the sacrifice he offered to save humanity.

For most biblical scholars, that is, those who believe in the Bible and the doctrine of salvation, the crucifixion of Jesus is the central element of the theology of the Christian faith concerning the doctrine of salvation and the atonement of sins.

1 PETER 2:24

He bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his stripes you were healed.

Colossians 1:20

Through him he was pleased to reconcile all things to himself, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Colossians 2:1

He wiped out the remaining condemnation from us and destroyed it by nailing it to the cross.

JOHN 3:16:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

SIMON OF CYRENE: WHO WAS HE?

One of the things that seems a little strange in this story of Jesus' crucifixion is the presence of a man named SIMON OF CYRENE who suddenly appears in this story. According to the story, he was returning from the fields with his two children. We can imagine that he was tired, since he was returning from work, perhaps with the idea of ​​returning home quickly. He was taken away and forced by the Roman soldier to carry Jesus' cross because Jesus was in agony and no longer had the energy to continue carrying his cross.

In this second part, I wanted to draw your attention to the person of Simon of Cyrene: who is he exactly? And why did the soldiers choose him to carry Jesus' cross?

Is it a coincidence or a prophecy? If it is a prophecy, what lessons can we learn from this account of Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus' cross?

In this regard, the three Synoptic Gospels all refer to a man named Simon of Cyrene, whom the Roman soldiers order to carry the cross, after Jesus initially carried it before collapsing.

LUKE 23:26

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and placed the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

CAUTION:

The Gospel of John, on the other hand, simply states that Jesus "carries" his own cross.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus carries his cross alone, at least until he leaves the city: "He himself, carrying his cross, went out of the city to a place called 'The Place of a Skull' (Hebrew: Golgotha)" (JOHN 19:16-18).

JOHN 19:16-18

16 Then he handed him over to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. 17 Jesus, carrying his cross, came to the place called the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There he was crucified, and two others with him, one on each side, and Jesus in the middle.

We understand that John did not mention the story of Simon

of Cyrene carrying Jesus' cross because in his Gospel, he presents Jesus as God. Now, Jesus, being God, cannot be helped by anyone, because one cannot help God, and God never tires.

Similarly, he did not mention the account of Jesus' temptation in his Gospel, because, according to the Scriptures, God cannot be tempted. Thus, in a word, whether it is the account of Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus or the account of temptation mentioned in the other Gospels, such as Matthew's, both accounts demonstrate the humanity of Christ, proving that he too was 100% human. If he could be tempted, feel tired, and suffer, even on the cross, if he asked for water to drink, it is because he was human like us before being God.

IN THE OTHER GOSPELS:

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus carries his cross alone until he leaves the city, where he meets Simon: "As they departed, they found a Cyrenean named Simon, and they begged him to carry his cross" (MATTHEW 27:32).

In the Gospel of Mark: "They begged a passerby who was coming in from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to take up his cross" (MARK 15:21).

In the Gospel of Luke: "As they led him away, they seized a certain Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry it behind Jesus"

(LUKE 23:26).

THE BIBLE IDENTIFIES SIMON WITH HIS HOMETOWN, CYRENE:

In Jesus' time or in ancient times, it was common to identify someone by their Hometown. According to the story of this man, Simon of Cyrene, his hometown, Cyrene (a city in present-day Libya), was a Greek colony in North Africa (Libya) that was home to a large Jewish community. The mention of his sons, Alexander and Rufus

(in the Gospel of Mark), suggests that he remained in contact with the early Christian community and may have become a Christian.

It is sometimes claimed that Simon of Cyrene is the same man as Simon "Niger," Simon or Simeon nicknamed "the Black," mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (13:1) as one of the prophets or teachers of the Church of Antioch. His sons may have become missionaries, according to some historians.

"Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, among whom were Barrabas, Simon the Black, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch."

SIMON OF CYRENE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED:

There are three main lessons to be learned from this scene of Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus' cross:

1. BE READY TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING:

(THAT IS, BEAR THE BURDEN OF OTHERS)

If we consider this story as it is written in black and white in the Gospels, we understand that Simon of Cyrene was returning from the fields with his two children. We can imagine that he was very tired, as he was returning from work, perhaps with the idea of ​​returning home quickly to rest. It was at this moment that he was taken away and forced by the Roman soldier to carry Jesus' cross, because Jesus was in agony and no longer had the strength to continue carrying his cross.

What is behind this story? There are certainly many lessons to be learned from the way Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' cross. I would say, first of all, that it is a fundamental principle of the Christian faith: we accepted Jesus to act like him. If he carried the cross to save us from sin, we can also accept to suffer for others, or to carry their crosses, thus symbolizing the weight of their suffering and, ultimately, helping them fulfill their mission on earth.

We see here that Simon may have been tired and wanted to return home quickly with his two sons. He may also have had his own problems. But the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. Likewise, whatever our problem, the one for which we await God's answer, this does not prevent us from supporting those who are going through difficult times.

By supporting them, we support ourselves. Like Simon, who thinks he's supporting Jesus, but is actually supporting himself, because the cross Jesus carried was not his own, but that of Simon of Cyrene, so that he might be saved from sin. Alleluia! Just as the soldiers forced Simon to carry Jesus' cross, God urges us, and compels us, according to his words, to support one another in difficult times, especially through prayer and mutual aid.

In this story, Jesus' cross symbolizes the suffering he had to endure in the pulpit to finally fulfill his mission. Simon of Cyrene comes to his aid and helps him through the difficult times in his life.

In this case, Simon of Cyrene symbolizes how we must act daily in our Christian lives by supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ who are going through difficult times. Sometimes it is important to suffer for others as Jesus suffered for us.

IT IS WRITTEN IN GALATIANS 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and thus you will fulfill the law of Christ.

ROMANS 15:1

We who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please ourselves.

JOHN 13:14

If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

JOHN 15:12

This is my commandment: Love one another, as I have loved you.

EPHESIANS 4:2

With all lowliness and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

HOW TO CARRY SOMEONE'S CROSS?

There are many ways to help or carry the cross of those who are suffering near us: We can simply carry their cross in prayer, accompany them with advice or words of comfort, visit them if they are in prison or the hospital, approach them with their material, financial, or other needs...

2. JESUS ​​ACCEPTS HELP: A LEADERSHIP LESSON FOR US:

The second lesson seems a little complex, but we understand why John did not mention the story of Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus' cross, because in his Gospel, he presents Jesus as God. However, Jesus, being God, cannot be helped by anyone, because one cannot help God, and God never tires.

This story, as I have already said, reveals to us the humanity of Christ, proving that he too was 100% human. If he was tempted, tired, and suffered, even on the cross, if he asked for water to drink, it was because he was as human as we are. However, we understand that he was 100% man and 100% God.

Being 100% human, Jesus, in his agony, lacking the energy to continue carrying his cross, was forced to accept the help of Simon of Cyrene, who came to his aid. This is a way of teaching us that as human beings, whatever our gifts and strengths, we are sometimes exhausted, like Jesus. In these cases, we must have the humility to accept the help of those I call the men of destiny, who come to our aid and help us fulfill our mission.

3. BE READY TO CARRY YOUR CROSS:

The third lesson we can learn from the story of Simon of Cyrene is a principle of the kingdom of God that Jesus himself taught his disciples.

Jesus affirms in his teachings that to be disciples of his kingdom, or to be part of his followers, we must be willing to carry our cross. Without it, we would not be worthy to be called his disciples. In these cases, Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry his cross, symbolized his own. He therefore represents those who believed in Jesus.

Carrying one's cross means being willing to suffer for Jesus. It is written: "They will persecute you, they will tell lies against you, they will accuse you of this or that, but we must be strong and endure to the end and be saved." » This means that suffering is an integral part of the Christian life and that as disciples of Christ, we must be prepared to face it out of love for the Christ we have chosen to follow.

It is written:

LUKE 14:27

Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

MATTHEW 10:38

Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

MATTHEW 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

GOLGOTA, SITE OF JESUS' CRUCIFIXION:

Golgota has become an iconic Christian site because it was here that Jesus was crucified, his blood was shed for the salvation of humanity, and he was handed over.

The English name of the place, "Calvary," derives from the Latin "skull" (calvaria), used in the Vulgate for "place of the skull," an explanation given in the four Gospels for the Aramaic word Gûlgaltâ (transliterated into Greek as Γολγοθᾶ (Golgotha)), which was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified.

The biblical text does not indicate the reason for this designation, but several theories have been put forward. One is that Golgota was a place of public execution; The other, Calvary, could have been strewn with the skulls of victims left there (which would be contrary to Jewish, but not Roman, funerary traditions).

Another hypothesis suggests that the name "Calvary" came from a nearby cemetery (which is consistent with the two proposed modern sites). A third hypothesis suggests that the name derives from the physical shape of the site, which resembles a skull, which would be more consistent with the singular use of the word, namely the location of the "skull." Although often called "Mount Calvary," it was more likely a small hill or rocky mound.

LUKE 23:33

When they came to the place called Golgotha, they crucified him there, along with the two criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

JESUS ​​CRUCIFIED AND DIED AT WHAT TIME?

It is sometimes important to examine the Bible to understand the time of Jesus' crucifixion and the approximate time of his death. This is essential. Since we are conducting an in-depth historical and prophetic study of this account, this small chronological detail is essential. It can help us understand some of the historical and prophetic realities underlying his crucifixion.

And the good news is that the Bible has already provided answers to this question. According to the Gospel, he was crucified at the third hour (9:00 a.m. C.E.) and died at the ninth hour (3:00 p.m. C.E.). He therefore spent at least six hours on the cross before dying.

MARK 15:24

24 They crucified him and divided his clothes among them, casting lots for each. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him.

MATTHEW 27:46-50

46 About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 Some of those standing there heard this and said, “He is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. 49 But the others said, “Let it be! Let us see if Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

PEOPLE PRESENT AT THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

(EYEWITNESSES TO THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS)

The majority of those who accompanied Jesus to the crucifixion were women, mainly Jesus' disciples. Their presence is not mentioned, with the exception of John, the disciple whom Jesus loved very much.

The other disciples were not seen on the cross, perhaps for fear of being killed too. It should be remembered that Peter even denied Jesus for fear of being killed too, and at that moment, most of the disciples hid, fearing they would die like Jesus. It is also written that the shepherd would be beaten and the sheep scattered.

1. SEVERAL WOMEN:

Several women were present at the crucifixion. The Gospels mention them, and some are named.

According to Mark, many women were present, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Mary of Clopas; therefore, all three Marys were present.

The Gospel of Matthew also mentions the presence of several women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Although a group of women is mentioned in Luke, none are named. The Gospel of John mentions the presence of women, including Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Clopas.

2. OTHER PEOPLE:

In addition to these women, the three Synoptic Gospels mention the presence of other people: "the chief priests, with the scribes and the elders," and two criminals crucified to the right and left of Jesus.

The two criminals are described as brigands, rebels, or thieves, and in the Gospel according to Luke, one of them found favor in Jesus' eyes and was saved on the cross.

"the soldiers," "the centurion and those who were with him to observe Jesus," passersby, spectators, "the crowd gathered for this spectacle," and "his acquaintances." The Gospels also recount the arrival, after Jesus' death, of Joseph of Arimathea in all four Gospels and of Nicodemus only in the Gospel of John.

ON WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WAS JESUS ​​CRUCIFIED?

(CAN WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS ​​SPENT THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE TOMB BEFORE HIS RESURRECTION ON SUNDAY?)

There is no consensus on the exact day of the week Jesus was crucified, although most scholars generally agree that it took place on a Friday, close to Easter (the 14th day of Nisan).

Most scholars agree that the New Testament accounts describe a Friday crucifixion, but other Christian scholars have also proposed a Thursday or Wednesday crucifixion.

Some scholars explain the Thursday crucifixion as a "double Sabbath" because of an additional Passover Sabbath, falling from Thursday dusk to Friday afternoon, before the usual or traditional weekly Sabbath.

Some have suggested that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday and not a Friday, due to the mention of "three days and three nights" in Matthew 12:40. If we take this statement in Matthew 12:40 seriously, we can conclude that Jesus must have spent three days and three nights in the tomb before his resurrection, celebrated on a Sunday.

Others have countered that this contradicts Jewish doctrine. For some biblical scholars, the expression "day and night" can refer to any part of a 24-hour period.

In these cases, Matthew's expression can be considered idiomatic; it may simply be an expression or a way of speaking, and it does not affirm that Jesus remained in the tomb for exactly 72 hours before his resurrection on a Sunday morning.

Furthermore, the biblical references that tell us about Jesus' resurrection on the third day do not literally affirm three days and three nights. Some scholars have even argued that Matthew used the phrase "the heart of the earth" to refer to Jerusalem, and that this period therefore included the entire time Jesus spent in Jerusalem after his return from Bethany on Thursday, which lasted exactly three days and three nights.

JESUS'S LAST WORDS ON THE CROSS:

(THE 7 WORDS OF JESUS ​​SPOKEN ON THE CROSS)

The Gospels describe several of Jesus' last words on the cross as follows:

IN THE BOOK OF MARK // MATTHEW

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

The only words of Jesus on the cross mentioned in the accounts of Mark and Matthew are a quote from Psalm 22.

IN THE BOOK OF JOHN:

Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother!

I thirst.

It is finished.

IN THE BOOK OF LUKE:

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

MIDDAY DARKNESS:

Christ on the Cross: The sky darkens. In the Gospel account, during Jesus' crucifixion, the sky over Judea (or the entire world) is "darkened for three hours," from the sixth to the ninth hour (from noon to mid-afternoon). The Gospel of John makes no mention of darkness, as the crucifixion did not take place until after noon.

Historians and scientists have considered the possibility of a lunar rather than a solar eclipse. They concluded that such an eclipse was visible in Jerusalem on April 3, 33 AD, that its peak was at 5:15 p.m. Jerusalem time, but that it was visible after sunset (the beginning of the Sabbath and Passover) for half an hour.

Some of the oldest manuscripts of Luke mention that "the sun was eclipsed" (23:45) at the time of the crucifixion. The authors suggest that this could be because a scribe substituted "sun" for "moon" to explain darkness, or that the word "eclipsed" simply meant obscured or hidden, as in a passage in the Sibylline Oracles.

EARTHQUAKE, TORCH OF THE TEMPLE VEIL, AND RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD:

Other miraculous events occurred, such as the rending of the Temple veil, the earthquake, and the resurrection of the deceased saints. The Synoptic Gospels report that the Temple veil was torn from top to bottom.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts earthquakes, landslides, and the opening of the tombs of the deceased saints. It also describes how these resurrected saints entered the Holy City and appeared to many people.

WATER AND BLOOD FLOWING FROM JESUS'S SIDE:

MEDICAL ASPECTS:

Several theories explaining the circumstances of Jesus' death on the cross have been proposed by physicians and biblical scholars.

The cardiovascular collapse theory, a popular modern explanation, suggests that Jesus died of profound shock. According to this theory, the scourging, beatings, and being nailed to the cross left Jesus dehydrated, weak, and critically ill, leading to cardiovascular collapse.

In an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, physician William Edwards and his colleagues supported the combined theories of cardiovascular collapse (due to hypovolemic shock) and asphyxia from exhaustion, assuming that the water flowing from Jesus' side, described in the Gospel of John, was due to pericardial fluid.

Pierre Barbet, a French physician and chief surgeon at Saint-Joseph Hospital in Paris, theorized that Jesus relaxed his muscles to gain enough air to pronounce his last words, while he risked asphyxiation from exhaustion.

In 2003, historians F. P. Retief and L. Cilliers examined the history and pathology of crucifixion practiced by the Romans and suggested that the cause of death often resulted from a combination of factors. They also assert that Roman guards were forbidden to leave the premises before their death.

THE CENTURION'S TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS:

(SPECIAL TESTIMONY OF THE ROMAN SOLDIER ABOUT THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST)

In the accounts of Mark and Matthew, the centurion in charge comments on the events: "Truly, this man was the Son of God!" or "Truly, this man was the Son of God!" The Gospel according to Luke quotes him as saying: "Certainly, this man was innocent!"

NB: The Roman soldiers guarding the place of condemnation could only leave once they were certain of the condemned man's death. Often, they were the last to see the condemned man die and had to attest to his death before leaving the place of condemnation. Thus, the centurion saw Jesus die and believed in him, for he had seen several criminals die. But Jesus was a different case.

THE BURIAL OF JESUS:

Although the bodies of the crucified were traditionally left to be devoured by wild beasts, Jesus's was taken down from the cross and buried, a fact confirmed by the Gospels.

Once again, this was one of the right decisions Pilate made at the time, preserving his image and encouraging early Christians to believe in him as a good man. For, even though he handed Jesus over to be crucified, he at least allowed his body to be preserved and buried, thus saving him from being devoured by wild beasts.

All four Gospels report that after Jesus' death, Joseph of Arimathea claimed his body and buried it in a new tomb hewn from the rock. Only the Gospel of Matthew suggests that Joseph offered his own tomb for Jesus' burial.

According to the Gospel of John, the Roman soldiers did not break Jesus' legs, as they had done with the two crucified men, because breaking the legs of the condemned was traditionally a way to hasten their death. However, when the soldiers approached Jesus, the Gospels report that he was already dead, meaning that none of his legs or bones were broken.