WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT CALVARY???
Crucifixion was--and still is, considered by most, to be the most
horrific means of capital punishment. It is lingering and prolonged; the Romans of the first centuries perfected it, but it started about six centuries B.C. Crucifixion still occurs in some parts of the world, but it is very different from the earlier forms. It was very brutal and inhumane--meant to be not just painful physically, but emotionally demeaning and excruciatingly humiliating. It was excruciating in every way--hence, that very word comes from the Latin word "cruciare" which means "to crucify".
Crucifixion was reserved for the "dregs" of society. It was even known as the slaves' punishment (or servile supplicium). The paintings we see don't give an accurate picture of the horror of crucifixion. I never really understood just how common it really was, either. In fact, it was typical to see crucified corpses or dying men (and women), hanging on the sides of the main roads and highways, nude, scourged and left for wild beasts and vultures to finish the job. That was usually how the crucified met their end--or in a dump (removed from the crosses), because the crosses were well-used. It appears that the vertical beams remained in place at crucifixion sites, and only the cross beam (which weighed 75lbs to 125lbs) was carried on the wounded shoulders of the convicted from the place of the scourging to the death site. Sometimes, the accused never made it beyond the severe scourging. The plan was always to get them to the cross though, for the humiliation and the deterrent that crucifixion provided. Those who hung on crosses exposed, when urinating or defecating, were further humiliated and discomforted by the drawing of insects. Add to all of this the mockery and cruelty of the soldiers and many of the onlookers; in this day, cruelty was sport. It was sport to watch Christians, slaves, and the condemned being fed to lions at the Coliseum--that was a "fun" day.
As "excruciating" as it was, it was also very common. It happened daily. It wasn't unknown to anyone who lived in Jerusalem, or the Roman Empire at this time. Jesus was completely familiar with crucifixion. He knew what to expect--He wasn't afraid of being crucified, for us (in fact, He told them, "No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.”[God's Word Translation]). He knew He could handle that aspect, as difficult as it was--if men and women, who are 100% human can suffer crucifixion, then certainly the God-Man could. What caused Jesus to perspire "great drops of blood" as He prayed for the cup to pass, pleading with His Father was spiritual--not physical. (Hematohidrosis: The clinical term for perspiring blood is hematohidrosis. "Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form. Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands. As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface - coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat."
In a lecture, Dr. Zugibe stated: 'The severe mental anxiety...activated the sympathetic nervous system to invoke the stress-fight or flight reaction to such a degree causing hemorrhage of the vessels supplying the sweat glands into the ducts of the sweat glands and extruding out onto the skin. While hematohidrosis has been reported to occur from other rare medical entities, the presence of profound fear accounted for a significant number of reported cases including six cases in men condemned to execution, a case occurring during the London blitz, a case involving a fear of being raped, a fear of a storm while sailing, etc. The effects on the body is that of weakness and mild to moderate dehydration from the severe anxiety and both the blood and sweat loss.'
Another effect is that the skin becomes extremely tender and fragile, so that any pressure or damage to the skin is more than ordinarily painful.") It was the separation from the Father that caused Jesus so much stress and agony at Gethsemane. The realization that He would be without the Father for even a moment, for us, was just an insurmountable burden to bear. At the same time, He recognizes that the disciples are going to experience a separation, too--from Him. They will have to endure a separation until the Holy Ghost comes to reside within them--and it will be excruciating for them, too; that's why he begs them to stay awake and pray, so that they "may not [at all] enter into temptation". (Luke 22:40, AMP).
Jesus doesn't want to go through this separation, but thank God, He surrenders His will to the Father who was pleased (not happy, but the debt was satisfied and settled the only way that it could be) to bruise Him, for us. What a cup! Jesus knew that He would have to become SIN for us, in order to destroy sin's power over us--He who knew no sin, had to become the opposite of what He is. He became the Sacrifice that took death captive so that it could no longer have power over us, but it required a great price--the cost of His banishment from the Face of God!
What a sacrifice--His separation for our reconciliation; His wounds poured pure blood for our regeneration; His bruises (oppression, crushing) for our punishment, so we could be free; He took the chastisement (that we deserved) of our peace, in order for us to receive peace that surpasses understanding even in chaotic times; and His stripes provide healing for our sin sick souls marred by depravity and wickedness. So much happened at Calvary. The paintings and movies we see could never paint a proper picture of the sacrifice of Jesus--not even the physical, and the spiritual can't be touched. It's a heart story--that's where it's painted and told. That's where Jesus wants to tell His story, in our hearts, for all the world to see and hear--He wants the world to know what He did, through our hearts. It can't just be through our words, we have to paint a more vivid picture of His sacrifice, through our own willingness to sacrifice, show love and have compassion. That's the most effective way to tell the story of Calvary to the world--from heart to hands, and with dusty clay feet...just like Jesus.
He certainly has taken upon himself our suffering
and carried our sorrows,
but we thought that God had wounded him,
beat him, and punished him.
He was wounded for our rebellious acts.
He was crushed for our sins.
He was punished so that we could have peace,
and we received healing from his wounds.
We have all strayed like sheep.
Each one of us has turned to go his own way,
and the Lord has laid all our sins on him.
He was abused and punished,
but he didn’t open his mouth.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
He was like a sheep that is silent
when its wool is cut off.
He didn’t open his mouth.
He was arrested, taken away, and judged.
Who would have thought that he would be removed
from the world?
He was killed because of my people’s rebellion.
He was placed in a tomb with the wicked.
He was put there with the rich when he died,
although he had done nothing violent
and had never spoken a lie.
Yet, it was the Lord’s will to crush him with suffering.
When the Lord has made his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings,
he will see his descendants for many days.
The will of the Lord will succeed through him.
He will see and be satisfied
because of his suffering.
My righteous servant will acquit many people
because of what he has learned through suffering.
He will carry their sins as a burden.
So I will give him a share among the mighty,
and he will divide the prize with the strong,
because he poured out his life in death
and he was counted with sinners.
He carried the sins of many.
He intercedes for those who are rebellious."
(Isaiah 53:4-12, God's Word Translation)
Grace,
Lisa
Crucifixion was reserved for the "dregs" of society. It was even known as the slaves' punishment (or servile supplicium). The paintings we see don't give an accurate picture of the horror of crucifixion. I never really understood just how common it really was, either. In fact, it was typical to see crucified corpses or dying men (and women), hanging on the sides of the main roads and highways, nude, scourged and left for wild beasts and vultures to finish the job. That was usually how the crucified met their end--or in a dump (removed from the crosses), because the crosses were well-used. It appears that the vertical beams remained in place at crucifixion sites, and only the cross beam (which weighed 75lbs to 125lbs) was carried on the wounded shoulders of the convicted from the place of the scourging to the death site. Sometimes, the accused never made it beyond the severe scourging. The plan was always to get them to the cross though, for the humiliation and the deterrent that crucifixion provided. Those who hung on crosses exposed, when urinating or defecating, were further humiliated and discomforted by the drawing of insects. Add to all of this the mockery and cruelty of the soldiers and many of the onlookers; in this day, cruelty was sport. It was sport to watch Christians, slaves, and the condemned being fed to lions at the Coliseum--that was a "fun" day.
As "excruciating" as it was, it was also very common. It happened daily. It wasn't unknown to anyone who lived in Jerusalem, or the Roman Empire at this time. Jesus was completely familiar with crucifixion. He knew what to expect--He wasn't afraid of being crucified, for us (in fact, He told them, "No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.”[God's Word Translation]). He knew He could handle that aspect, as difficult as it was--if men and women, who are 100% human can suffer crucifixion, then certainly the God-Man could. What caused Jesus to perspire "great drops of blood" as He prayed for the cup to pass, pleading with His Father was spiritual--not physical. (Hematohidrosis: The clinical term for perspiring blood is hematohidrosis. "Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form. Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands. As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface - coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat."
In a lecture, Dr. Zugibe stated: 'The severe mental anxiety...activated the sympathetic nervous system to invoke the stress-fight or flight reaction to such a degree causing hemorrhage of the vessels supplying the sweat glands into the ducts of the sweat glands and extruding out onto the skin. While hematohidrosis has been reported to occur from other rare medical entities, the presence of profound fear accounted for a significant number of reported cases including six cases in men condemned to execution, a case occurring during the London blitz, a case involving a fear of being raped, a fear of a storm while sailing, etc. The effects on the body is that of weakness and mild to moderate dehydration from the severe anxiety and both the blood and sweat loss.'
Another effect is that the skin becomes extremely tender and fragile, so that any pressure or damage to the skin is more than ordinarily painful.") It was the separation from the Father that caused Jesus so much stress and agony at Gethsemane. The realization that He would be without the Father for even a moment, for us, was just an insurmountable burden to bear. At the same time, He recognizes that the disciples are going to experience a separation, too--from Him. They will have to endure a separation until the Holy Ghost comes to reside within them--and it will be excruciating for them, too; that's why he begs them to stay awake and pray, so that they "may not [at all] enter into temptation". (Luke 22:40, AMP).
Jesus doesn't want to go through this separation, but thank God, He surrenders His will to the Father who was pleased (not happy, but the debt was satisfied and settled the only way that it could be) to bruise Him, for us. What a cup! Jesus knew that He would have to become SIN for us, in order to destroy sin's power over us--He who knew no sin, had to become the opposite of what He is. He became the Sacrifice that took death captive so that it could no longer have power over us, but it required a great price--the cost of His banishment from the Face of God!
What a sacrifice--His separation for our reconciliation; His wounds poured pure blood for our regeneration; His bruises (oppression, crushing) for our punishment, so we could be free; He took the chastisement (that we deserved) of our peace, in order for us to receive peace that surpasses understanding even in chaotic times; and His stripes provide healing for our sin sick souls marred by depravity and wickedness. So much happened at Calvary. The paintings and movies we see could never paint a proper picture of the sacrifice of Jesus--not even the physical, and the spiritual can't be touched. It's a heart story--that's where it's painted and told. That's where Jesus wants to tell His story, in our hearts, for all the world to see and hear--He wants the world to know what He did, through our hearts. It can't just be through our words, we have to paint a more vivid picture of His sacrifice, through our own willingness to sacrifice, show love and have compassion. That's the most effective way to tell the story of Calvary to the world--from heart to hands, and with dusty clay feet...just like Jesus.
He certainly has taken upon himself our suffering
and carried our sorrows,
but we thought that God had wounded him,
beat him, and punished him.
He was wounded for our rebellious acts.
He was crushed for our sins.
He was punished so that we could have peace,
and we received healing from his wounds.
We have all strayed like sheep.
Each one of us has turned to go his own way,
and the Lord has laid all our sins on him.
He was abused and punished,
but he didn’t open his mouth.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
He was like a sheep that is silent
when its wool is cut off.
He didn’t open his mouth.
He was arrested, taken away, and judged.
Who would have thought that he would be removed
from the world?
He was killed because of my people’s rebellion.
He was placed in a tomb with the wicked.
He was put there with the rich when he died,
although he had done nothing violent
and had never spoken a lie.
Yet, it was the Lord’s will to crush him with suffering.
When the Lord has made his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings,
he will see his descendants for many days.
The will of the Lord will succeed through him.
He will see and be satisfied
because of his suffering.
My righteous servant will acquit many people
because of what he has learned through suffering.
He will carry their sins as a burden.
So I will give him a share among the mighty,
and he will divide the prize with the strong,
because he poured out his life in death
and he was counted with sinners.
He carried the sins of many.
He intercedes for those who are rebellious."
(Isaiah 53:4-12, God's Word Translation)
Grace,
Lisa
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