When we think of Jesus dying for our sins, we don't often imagine the horrible things that the act entailed. There was a physical, emotional, and spiritual aspect.
In the physical aspect, there was the torture of crucifixion.
Spiritually, Jesus was confronting the devil and sin itself. He became sin for us and suffered what the devil himself will one day suffer for an eternity- all in just a few hours.
The aspect that I want to focus on today is the emotional one. The feelings evoked by those who saw the crucified Christ.
There were five different types, or groups, of people who were at the cross and each of these would attack and invoke a different emotional response from our Savior.
First, there were the condemned criminals.
Luke 23:33- And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Christ was not the only one who was being punished through crucifixion that day. This type of torturous death was a common punishment executed by the Roman government against their criminals and enemies.
These two men had been found guilty of crimes against the Romans and were sentenced to die. They were led away with Jesus and subjected to the same humiliating process that our Savior endured.
The fact that they were guilty and He was innocent was overlooked by many people, including one of the criminals.
Luke 23:39- And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
He should have known that he deserved death. His trial wasn't a sham. I wonder if he had ever heard Jesus preaching while he was a free man?
The second criminal had a more humble heart. He realized that his punishment was just due to his crimes. He is like most people who get saved- I realize that I'm a sinner deserving of my sins and that Jesus is the only hope that I have when this life is ended.
Luke 23:40-42- But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
I think this man may have heard of Jesus before this. He knew that Jesus was falsely accused. And, reaching out in faith said the only thing he could think was appropriate to ask- remember me.
He knew that his life was over. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the end of his mortality. All he wanted was for Jesus to remember him in the afterlife.
I bet this touched Jesus' heart in a way many wouldn't understand. He came to seek and save the lost. It was His plan to pay the debt for sin and offer salvation to all who would humbly ask it of Him.
Perhaps he was smiling inside knowing that this man would be the first to be granted that forgiveness.
Luke 23:43- And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The next group of people were the Romans. These men who were carrying out the death sentence had obviously heard of Jesus. Perhaps some of them had even heard Him speak, or saw His miracles.
Pilate certainly didn't want to subject Jesus to this death.
Mark 15:14- Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
Pilate had him scourged hoping that this would satisfy the religious Jews. The soldiers mocked and beat Jesus until He no longer looked like a human. Even this didn't satisfy the wicked Pharisees.
Matthew 27:27-31- Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Can you imagine the devil mocking Christ behind the scenes? These are your creation. The humans that you took such care to create and provide for are treating you in this manner. Are they really worth it?
The fact that Jesus allowed them to beat and mock Him proved that He believed humanity was worth it!
The Romans tortured, spit on, beat, mocked, and then led Him away to be crucified. And still He offers them salvation.
Pilate is probably the most bold. Even though he caved to their peer pressure, he wrote a note and put it up for all the world to see.
John 19:19-20- And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
He put this in three languages. One for each of the languages that were predominantly spoken in that area. This made the Jewish leaders angry. They wanted Pilate to change it to say that Christ called himself that, but Pilate wouldn't change it.
John 19:21-22- Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
The Romans had seen many crucifixions before this one. But, there was something different about this time. While they gambled over his clothes, all of creation cried out for the dying Savior.
Luke 23:44-45- And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Darkness covered the entire world for three hours during the time of Noon through 3PM. I wonder what was going through the soldier's minds. I guarantee they had never seen this before.
Not only was there darkness, but an earthquake shook the land. At least one soldier understood that this was something different; this man was more than just a Jew.
Matthew 27:54- Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
The Bible never tells us whether this man ever trusted Christ as His Savior, but he was certainly on the right path.
There were also religious people from Jerusalem standing around watching. They were making certain that Jesus died on that cross.
Matthew 27:39-43- And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
They are quoting what Jesus said. They had heard Him speak; they had more than likely seen His miracles. And now they come mocking Him as He hung their paying for their sins.
Again, I can imagine the devil questioning Christ as to whether these people were worth it.
Christ often asked the religious leaders of His day, "Have ye never read?" These men were suppose to know the Scriptures. They should have recognized the signs that Jesus was their promised Messiah!
But, they held their traditions above the Scripture. They were more interested in their position and status. They were so blinded that they even fulfilled the prophecy without realizing it.
Psalm 22:7-8,16,18- All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Surely they could have looked around and saw the Scripture being fulfilled! Didn't their words ring in their ears with a familiarity?
I doubt that these men ever repented and asked Christ to save their souls. They heardened their hearts until they were stones that dragged their souls to hell.
Christ's emotions on that day were met with mocking, disdain, acknowledgement, and astonishment. But there are two other types of people there who both loved and adored Jesus.
Mark 15:40-41- There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
True believers who had followed Him during His earthly ministry stood afar off watching. Their tears didn't go unnoticed by our Savior. He recognized that they didn't understand the prophecy that He was to die for the sins of the world.
I can only imagine the shame He felt hanging there naked in front of them. Or perhaps He felt grateful that they loved Him enough to follow Him this far, not willing to let Him die alone.
These had already believed on Him as their Messiah. And, they would follow Him under a new name "Christian" in the future.
But of all the people who were present, perhaps the one that meant the most was His disciple John.
John 19:25-27- Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
The only disciple to go all the way. He was there during the sham trial and the sentencing. He followed all the way to the foot of the cross and observed everything that went on.
As the firstborn son, it would fall to Jesus to take care of His mother when her husband died. Even in death, Christ fulfilled His obligations. The disciple that followed Him all the way could be trusted to do this.
The emotion that flooded through Him as He passed this job off to His faithful friend must have been great.
So many different people with so many different perspectives surrounded the Savior that day. Some found comfort and life; some found damnation.
Which do you relate with?
Are you there mocking, unbelieving that someone besides yourself can save your soul?
Are you like the awe struck soldiers who realized that Christ was more than a mere man, so close to the truth and yet still unweilding?
Are you weeping for the innocent life that had to die so that you could receive eternal salvation and then goes home content that their eternity is secure?
Or, are you like the faithful disciple who not only sees the Savior and accepts His salvation and then goes out and makes certain that Christ's request followed?
Matthew 28:19-20- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Revelation 22:10,12- And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
