What information does history provide about crucifixion?

King Darius of Persia had 3000 Babylonians crucified in about 519 B.C.

Around 300 B.C., Alexander the Great had 2000 citizens of Tyre crucified after he conquered the city.

The Romans did not invent crucifixion but did perfect its cruelty.

Crucifixion as performed by the Romans included:

-flogging,

-the condemned carrying own cross to the place outside the city walls, led by a complete military guard, headed by a centurion. A sign (titulus) which told what the condemned man was guilty of, was sometimes carried by a soldier and sometimes put around the condemned man’s neck. Later this sign would be attached to the top of the cross

– given a drink of wine mixed with myrrh (gall). This was intended to be a mild narcotic that would  deaden the pain. It is significant that Jesus refused this drink

– stripping of garments

– being thrown to the ground where outstretched hands were nailed to the crossbeam

– being hoisted up so that the crossbeam was attached to the upright beam.

– nailing the feet, one on top of the other, to the upright beam with another iron spike. Jutting out from    the upright beam was a small block or plank (sedile) which the crucified would straddle, thus  absorbing some of the weight of the body.

The crucified person could not exhale properly and this eventually would lead to painful muscle cramps. Furthermore, adequate exhaling required the crucified to lift his body by pushing up on the feet and rotating his elbows. This, of course, resulted in searing pain in both feet and hands. Lifting of the body to properly exhale would also painfully scrape the scourged back against the rough wooden cross, probably reopening wounds and causing more bleeding. On the cross every breath would be an agonizing affair and finally in combination with exhaustion would lead to asphyxia. Death by crucifixion at times came quickly, but sometimes didn’t come to the crucified for several days. There the crucified would hang, naked, the object of jeering and ridicule, insects landing in their mouth, eyes, and open wounds, and unable to remove them, exposed to the elements, unable to eat or drink. And this is the death that Jesus Christ died. All this our Savior did for you and for me, to save us from the penalty of our sins.

History indicates Jesus Christ chose to come to earth at the time in history when criminal execution was most barbaric, severe and cruel.

Questions for Reflection

1) Are you living an abundant life?

2) Is the life you are living worth His death on the cross and resurrection?

3) Will you allow Jesus Christ to give you the abundant life, for which He came to earth?

Colossians 3:¹If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory

4) Have you been saved from the penalty and power of sin or does it still control you?

The Christian life is a growing process. Talk to Jesus about it.

John 8:³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

5) Do you believe Jesus Christ has delivered you from bondage to the fear of death?

How does that play out in your daily life?

6) What does it mean to you to take up your cross?

7) Is there an area in your life where someone or something is more important than Jesus Christ?

Matthew 11:²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good   plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti