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Jesus’ Death on the Cross

The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27–31)

Jesus died in a way reserved for the worst criminals: on a cross. Crucifixion was a humiliating, ugly, horrific, public way to die.

Jesus was betrayed by his closest disciples. One of them turned Jesus into the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver. Another denied knowing Jesus at all when things began to heat up. Jesus was falsely found guilty at an unfair trial. He was beaten severely. People mocked and taunted him, insisting he was powerless. The crowds demanded his death, shouting, “Crucify him” and, “His blood is on us and our children” (Matthew 27:22, 25). He was executed between two criminals on a cross for everyone to see.

Three times Jesus warned his followers about his coming death and resurrection. But they didn’t understand. They seemed to think that Jesus’ kingdom would be like other earthly kingdoms—thrones, armies, vanquished nations, and plunder. They responded to Jesus’ warnings with disbelief, grief, and a desire for power. They dismissed his words because they were convinced their own idea of victory would transpire. Contrary to their expectations of worldly glory, Jesus died a terrible death. The disciples questioned everything Jesus had said and done. They fled, fearing for their own lives.

Jesus suffered for us on the cross. He set aside comfort and earthly dominance to be the perfect sacrifice. He wasn’t interested in the temporary but in our eternity with him. His death was a gift: he bore our sins to heal us. His death was also an example for us: despite insults and false accusations, Jesus didn’t retaliate. Instead, he entrusted himself to the one just Judge, his Father. By his death Jesus broke the power of death and the devil, freeing us for true life with God.

And the story doesn’t end with Jesus’ death! 

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied. (Isaiah 53:11)

Reflect on these questions after reading Matthew 26–27.

• Why do you think Peter struggled to accept God’s plan?
• According to Matthew 26:56, how did Jesus’ disciples respond to his arrest?
• What impacted you most today as you read about Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27?
• What convinced the guards that Jesus was the Son of God in Matthew 27:54?

Pray

Today’s prayer comes from 1 Peter 2:21–25.

Jesus, you suffered for me, giving me a gift and example. You entrusted yourself to the Father. You bore my sins in your body on the cross so that I might die to sin and live for righteousness. By your wounds, I have been healed. Strengthen and guide me. In Jesus' name, amen.