Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

What about the crucifixion of Jesus? Well, the bleeding started the night before the crucifixion, when Jesus was in such anxiety that He was sweating like drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Luke 22:44). He was betrayed by a pretend friend named Judas Iscariot. Some people are very covert; you don’t know they’re against you until they destroy you. Judas Iscariot showed up with religious and political leaders who had never agreed on anything except that Jesus needed to die. Here’s what’s amazing: we as humans are so bad that Jesus shows up, and we think He’s the bad one. The cross of Jesus shows how good God is and how bad we are. They beat Jesus. They flogged Him with leather straps that would have either a metal or a stone ball at the end to tenderize the flesh. A hook would dig deep in and then rip the flesh off a man’s body. Flogging often killed men. Some historical records outside the Bible say occasionally the hook would catch a rib, and it would come flying off the man’s body.

Jesus was then forced to carry His cross bars, probably 100-plus pounds of recycled timber that had been used to execute other men. They put it on his bare, bloodied, beaten back, forcing Him to carry it through town. I’ve been there in Jerusalem, within the ancient city's walls. It’s called the Via Dolorosa, which means the "way of suffering." This is where everyone would shop. Imagine you’re in the mall, and then suddenly, walking through the food court, is some guy who’s bleeding and carrying a cross while being whipped and mocked by his enemies. This is horrifying. This is barbarous.

Although He was young and strong, Jesus fell. The crossbar would have crushed His chest cavity. Medical doctors say this would be the equivalent of a head-on car collision where no airbag deploys, and no seatbelt is involved, so the accident victim is thrown headlong into the steering wheel. Jesus now has a chest contusion and potentially an aneurysm. He’s starting to bleed out. He then gets help carrying His cross to where He is nailed through the most sensitive nerve centers—the hands and the feet. A crown of thorns is put on His head to mock Him. His cross is dropped in a hole. His body shakes violently.

Next to Jesus are two men who are being crucified. Most of the time, at the base of crosses, would be feces, blood, urine, sweat, and tears. And all Jesus did from the cross was say things like, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). He loved, even though He was hated. And then Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). And at that moment, Jesus took your place. The wrath of God was poured out on the Son of God so that the grace of God could be poured out on you, and you could be made a Son of God.

Jesus then said from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). So, when somebody asks, “What do I need to do?” the answer is nothing. Jesus said it is finished. You need to believe, not behave. It’s His works, not your works. You need to receive His gift and not come to God with your gift. We’re saved from God, by God, and for God. It’s all God!

If you’ve never received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that gift is available to you. He loves you. If you reject that, then there will be nothing but judgment and wrath for you. This is the most important decision you will ever make and the most important relationship you will ever have.

Today’s Reflection

Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or are you trying to behave your way to heaven?