Tuesday: The Crucifixion
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 17th of September 2024
Read Mark 15:21-38. What terrible and painful irony appears in these passages?
At this point in the Passion Narrative, Jesus is a silent victim, controlled by people who are bent on His death. Throughout the Gospel, up to His arrest, He was the master of activities. Now He is acted upon. Though He was a robust itinerant preacher, the beating He had received and the lack of food and sleep wore Him down to where a stranger had to bear His cross.
At the cross His garments were removed and became the property of the soldiers, who cast lots to see whose they would be (compare with Psalms 22:18). Crucifixion was a fairly bloodless method of execution. The nails used to fasten a person to the cross (compare with John 20:24-29) were likely driven through the wrist below the palm where no major blood vessels run. (In both Hebrew and Greek, the word for “hand” can refer to both the hand and the forearm.)
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
The palm of the hand itself does not have the structures necessary to carry the weight of the body in crucifixion. The median nerve runs through the center of the forearm and would be crushed by the nails, causing excruciating pain up the arm. Breathing was difficult. To get a good breath, victims of crucifixion had to push against their nailed feet and flex their arms, again causing agonizing pain. Exhaustion asphyxia was one of the possible causes of death.
Jesus received tremendous mockery and humiliation during His crucifixion. The Gospel of Mark has a revelation/secrecy motif in which Jesus typically calls for silence about who He is. Consequently, such Christological titles as “Lord,” “Son of God,” or “Christ” do not appear often in the narrative.
This element changes at the cross. He cannot be hidden. It is ironic that it is the religious leaders who use these titles in mocking Jesus. How these men are condemning themselves!
One of their mocking statements stands out. In Mark 15:31, they say, “ ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself’ ” (ESV). To make their point about His helplessness on the cross, they indicate that He did help others (the Greek verb can mean “save,” “heal,” or “rescue”). Thus, ironically, they admit He is the Savior. The irony goes further—the reason He could not, or would not, save Himself was because at the cross He was saving others.
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Read John 1:1-3, and then think about what this passage tells us about Jesus, the same Jesus who is being crucified here in Mark. How do we wrap our minds around what Christ’s death means for us? |
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When we started this study on the events leading up to the crucifixion I quoted the following from Ellen white:
I will probably get into trouble for mentioning this, but in my study this week, I have also revisited the idea of the Stations of the Cross. This is the revised spiritual version developed by Pope John Paul II and supported by Pope Benedict XVI.
I mention this because in spite of our theological differences with Catholicism, there is a common understanding that the crucifixion is at the heart of the Gospel. We need to be mindful of this before we set out to condemn those of other faiths. We should build on what we hold in common.
Our contemplation of the crucifixion is not meant to be veneration that counts as brownie points toward our salvation. Rather, it should be the springboard for our action in selfless (self-sacrificing) care for others.
Coming out of catholicism, I am aware of the stations of the cross.This is done while praying the rosary. The different stations are mentioned but the primary focus is not on Jesus, but on saying the rosary and praying to Mary,asking her to pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death.
So I would think that this is different to what Sis white has recommended us to do.We are to reflect on Jesus and what He has done for us.
The Catholic reason for doing the stations of the cross is different from what we as Christians should reflect on.
I have one experience with the Stations of the Cross - I did one of my student teaching practicums in a Catholic school (for your information, Catholic schools are publicly funded in the part of Canada I live in) and just before Easter we walked to the church nearby for a chapel service and the stations of the cross were part of that service. My supervising teacher knew I was a Protestant and told me I could skip it if I wasn't comfortable, but I chose to go. I actually found it very meaningful. If the rosary was part of it, I never noticed that. It was more like a mini passion play with scriptures.
The Catholic church has a lot of error but not everything is necessarily that. For me, I was blessed that day.
Amen and Amen to this, We should show first that accommodative heart and not to be fast to present our righteousness but to be humble enough to and allow guidance of the Holy Spirit to take charge in leading us to win souls so that no one get lost... And in fact that's what our target as Adventists entails... We are all fallen (Romans 3:23)... And none is righteous and just as Jesus chose one of the thieves in their last hour is the same way God can choose them that 'we' put in bracket as unrighteous to receive the Crown and 'we' are left for hell fire...so lets refrain from condemnation and focus on serving Christ right. Be Blessed!
Dear Maurice just a few thoughts as l read your post. You wrote ‘Our contemplation of the crucifixion is not meant to be veneration that counts as brownie points toward our salvation. Rather, it should be the springboard for our action in selfless (self-sacrificing) care for others.’
So true!
But l believe Catholicism is more about brownie points than selflessness.
You also wrote ‘I mention this because in spite of our theological differences with Catholicism, there is a common understanding that the crucifixion is at the heart of the Gospel…We should build on what we hold in common.’
This sounds a lot like ecumenism. A kind of let’s unite ‘on what we hold common’ and ignore our differences. Christian denominations of every shade hold the cross as the heart of the Gospel. And other doctrines as do Seventh Day Adventists, some to a greater or less extent. However l am hoping what is meant by building ‘on what we have in common’ is in building friendships to call people out of darkness into greater light in a truly loving relationship with JESUS resulting in salvation rather than blind slavish adherence to a set creed. GOD has always called people out and away from established error rather than looking for common ground to unite with.
Richest blessings, May GOD continue to heal and restore you to health.
Hi Marcia, I don't think we should discard our differences but the sharing of common faith is an important part of our mission. I have had some great discussions with my Catholic friends that have contributed greatly to my own spiritual development.
But having said that, I am aware of the differences, particularly in the worship of Mary. I am not suggesting that we ignore those.
I have no words to express what the cross of Jesus means. Several songs have come to my mind as my heart has been torn once again at Christ’s sacrifice for me. I share two:
Donnie McClurkin sings,
“What does the cross of Jesus mean?
It's more than songs we sing,
Much more than that emblem on your chain
But it means I'm free, from the chains of slavery
And the blood that shed won't let my sins remain…
Well the cross will always represent the love God had for me
When the Lord of glory, heaven sent gave all on calvary
He did it just for me, just for me,
Jesus came and did it just for me.”
What will be my response to Calvary? Will what Heaven gave for me be in vain? God forbid! Help me Holy Spirit to live each day in honour of Christ’s sacrifice. My heart’s prayer is SDA Hymnal 492:
Teach, me, Father, what to say;
Teach me, Father, how to pray;
Teach me all along the way
How to be like Jesus.
Teach me as the days go by,
Teach me not to reason why,
Teach me that to do and die,
Is to be like Jesus.
Teach me that the time is short,
Teach me how to live and work,
Teach me that to never shirk
Is to be like Jesus.
Teach me how we may be one,
Like the Father and the Son;
And when all is overcome,
I will be like Jesus.
Refrain:
I would be like Jesus,
I would be like Jesus!
Help me, Lord, to daily grow
More and more like Jesus!
Ok, I am going to admit it. I cannot think about all the awful points of the crucifixion every day. It is so painful thinking about Jesus going through that, it is hard for me to function. MY husband and I went to see The Passion of the Cross when it came out. I felt it was helpful to consider, to face some of what our Savior went through for us but don't think I could do it every day. Hopefully, this does not keep me from taking up MY cross and following Him.
I think the key to understanding our relationship to the events of the crucifixion is not in morbid fascination nor indeed veneration, but rather as a driving force for self-sacrificing service for others. Much of what Jesus said in his final moments was to take care of the physical and spiritual needs of others.
I feel the same way, focusing on what Jesus endured was so emotional for me, I tried to watch the movie The Passion of the Christ and I couldn’t get through it, I was absolutely sobbing.
I feel the same way, DeeDee. I'm reading the Arthur Maxwell Bible Stories to my Mom and he slows down to dwell for several chapters on the details of the crucifixion. I was relieved when we finally got through the uncomfortable, horrific, painful memories to the joy of Resurrection Day. I even thought, "This is too depressing to read to my anxious, mind-addled Mom."
At first, it seems like morbid fascination to focus so much on the image of Jesus' torture and agony in a gruesome death. Like, what is wrong with us as a people? We don't watch TV shows or movies with so much bloodshed and murder scenes. We don't meditate on other gruesome deaths: graphic pictures of Abraham Lincoln's or Gandhi's gunshot wounds, pictures of the apostle Stephen's body mangled under a pile of rocks, a painting of the old prophet Isaiah sawed in half, or the twisted faces and smells of those martyrs dying in the flames. Why are we to look at this scene daily?
And, even Jesus TOLD us to look at this scene all the time. He said, when "I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). And in the next verse He makes sure we understand He doesn't mean this figuratively when He inspired John to add "He said this to show by what kind of death He was going to die" (John 12:33). Crucifixion. That scene of Jesus, arms spread wide, head bowed in submission, blood flowing out of His side, would change people.
And also, during the Last Supper, Jesus asked that we memorialize His death in graphic detail by symbolically drinking His blood (poured-out juice of trodden grapes) and eating His broken flesh (torn, unleavened bread). Luke 22:19-20. He doesn't want us to skip over the graphic physical reality that, if we had been present at Calvary, may have made us faint to see. We are to take this scene, this reality, into our own bodies and digest it.
I believe this is the answer...
The difference between Jesus and the deaths of other martyrs is that they laid down their lives for a cause, whereas Jesus' death IS THE CAUSE. Jesus' death is who He is. The name Jesus means "God saves" (Matt. 1:21). Who He is is our Savior, and how He saves is through His shed blood: Heb. 9:22 says "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins". The communion meal proclaims Jesus' death and that is the gospel story that people need to hear (1 Cor. 11:26). "You and I are sinners and Jesus died to erase our sins" (Rom. 5:8; 1 Tim. 1:15). Jesus, alone, has the authority to say "Father forgive them"...and He received that authority through the power of His dying breath (Luke 23:34).
And that's what I need to meditate on. What I still have not grasped fully....
See how the most horrid image is the most hopeful.
See how the world's greatest show of injustice is God's greatest display of justice.
See how a merciless death at the hand of evil is the most merciful death in the hand of God.
See how this scene of extreme human hatred is also the most graphic, detailed display of God's love and the greatest proof of how He really thinks and feels about us, about me.
Hello Esther. I believe that as we see what Christ has suffered for, and because of us, our hearts will be changed. The character of God would be revealed by the character of Jesus. At the same time the character of Satan would be revealed and contrasted by the character of Jesus. He literally went through "hell" so that we wouldn't have to.
Philipians 4:28 says; "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." The cross was the most ignominious, brutal form of capital punishment of it's day, and yet the Creator submitted Himself to it to win our hearts back to Him. No other "deity" would do such a thing, as what Jesus Christ has done.
Thank you my brother Tim. I appreciate how you point out that “no other deity would do such a thing”. That is a singular claim of Christianity that helped to draw me back to it as being the only truth. There is no other similar worldview or self-help regime or religion where the definition and model of true love goes beyond anything we could imagine as love and justice and mercy all at once.
And yes, I think the character of God is the secret of how to meditate on the moment meaningfully … Focus on the character of God in the gore…. Rather than focusing on the gore and losing sight of the God who would commit to such a sacrifice…. before He even created any of us!
The difference between Jesus and the deaths of other martyrs...
I think it's important to recognize that Jesus didn't die as a martyr. He died as a sinner... not for His sins but for mine (1 Peter 2:24).
Sieg, it's actually almost mind blowing when you think deeply about it. Isn't it?
2 Cor. 5:21 says, "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
"Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. “With His stripes we are healed.” Desire of Ages, p. 25.2
Blessings my friend!
Thank you Sieg, and yes, I didn’t mean to imply that Jesus was in the same category as the examples of those dying for their faith I had listed, like the apostle Stephen and the prophet Isaiah. What I meant by “martyr” was somebody dying for a righteous cause. And in that sense, Jesus died for a righteous cause, but far more than that , He actually is the Cause and the Source and the Reason and the One that we all are living for and possibly someday called to die for. Jesus is the only one who was “slain before the foundation of the world” for sin (Rev. 13:8). Martyrs lay down their lives for a cause they believe is worth their life, but they don’t have to die for the cause to be worthwhile. The Gospel will move forward with or without martyr deaths. Whereas, Jesus had to die to redeem sinners. his death was necessary to achieve his mission. I hope and pray that was clearer this time… It’s such a big subject… I’m definitely not implying that Jesus is the same as any other moral person, just the opposite! This meditation came to me by recognizing how singular it is that we focus on the death of Jesus, but we don’t focus on the death of other people dying for the truth and why that is. May God continue to bless us with a deeper understanding of what he has done for us. 🙏🏻
The death of Jesus is a paradigm. Who was willing to believe in such a powerful master who suddenly let himself get caught, and as a lamb goes quiet to be slaughtered? Some things seem crazy, but for God, everything is possible. Jesus' death was necessary so you and I could achieve life again and live abundantly.
I am thankful for Jesus' sacrifice for me. When I Think about it, makes me feel worthy and loved. Also, it gives me purpose to live here and the assurance of eternal life.
It’s challenging to grasp the depth of this sacrifice—how Jesus our Lord and Savior would willingly endure such suffering for us. It reveals God’s profound love, the seriousness of sin, and the extraordinary lengths to which God would go to restore a broken relationship with humanity.
Indeed, from a purely physical point of view the torture of Jesus was horrifying. It stresses me just to read about it. However remember that the emotional suffering of our Savior was far worse than His physical suffering. I once read a physician's account of the suffering of Christ, he said that Jesus most likely went into shock from all the trauma and physical abuse he suffered. But the emotional toll combined with the physical most likely caused Christ's heart to literally rupture. He literally died of a broken heart for you and me.
No he couldn't save Himself and others at the same time. The enemy tried to break Him, to get Him at the last second to abandon the mission. This is probably why the devil subjected Jesus to such horrific physical and psychological abuse. Yet Jesus chose to save us over Himself.
"Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King, would die for me..."
Question at the bottom of Monday lesson? How do you answer this?
It is a good idea to make you comment on the same page as the lesson you are commenting on but I will answer it here as we cannot move comments around like we used to.
I think it needs to be understood that even if you have done something very bad, there is always room for forgiveness. We should not be tricked into thinking that a one off action has set the judgement against you forever. Peter denied Jesus three times yet we know that he yeilded to the love of Jesus and came back to follow Jesus stronger than ever. The ongoing story of the soldiers is not told in scripture, but that does not mean that they were lost forever because of their actions. Each would have had the opportunity to reflect on their actions and some of them may well have chosen to follow Jesus later.
The question you're referring to states:
"These soldiers had no idea what they were doing. Why, though, will their wilful blindness not excuse them on Judgement Day?"
Firstly the question is inaccurate in suggesting the soldiers "had no idea what they were doing". This therefore puts the person attempting to answer the question to start off on the wrong footing. These soldiers knew exactly what they were doing. Their own leader himself (Pontious Pilate) had repeatedly publicly said he could "find no fault in this man" and considered him a "just man". Therefore they were fully aware that all the "extra" punishments they were laying on Him (spitting, hitting, blind-folding, fake worship with purple robe etc) were not deserved by Him. If a cold-hearted individual like Pilate could have his heart softened by the way Jesus presented Himself, then they too must have felt the Holy Spirit moving them or at least their conscience discouraging them from carrying out those acts. Hosea 4:6 says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee."
The soldiers were in a state of, as the question states, "wilful blindness". The Word of God states what God will do to them.
May God help me, you, and our Brethren not to do the same. Amen and Shalom.
While in the Garden of Gethsemane,
Yet after asking the Father to please take this cup of suffering away from Him, Jesus proceeded to say, "Nevertheless, not my will but your will to be done.”
While on the cross Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ” However, Jesus gave up His life because He chose to trust His Father when He could not trace Him.
When God's ways are untraceable, we have sufficient knowledge of Him to follow Him even in perplexing situations. God's perspective is broader, His understanding deeper, and His ways beyond human comprehension. (Isaiah 55:8-11) If we restrict our obedience to only what we understand or only when we can see the way, we forfeit the opportunity to experience His wonders that transcend human explanation.
Let us allow the mystery of God to amaze us. Abraham extolled God beneath the stars, despite his inability to comprehend how he would become the father of a great nation. David sang God's praises in the wilderness, even though he could not fathom why he was compelled to flee for his life instead of ruling from the throne. The Israelites shouted exultantly to God, even though they could not grasp why the walls of Jericho would crumble without a battle.
Didn't he have to die to fully vanquish selfishness. Humans, for the most part, would do anything to preserve their own lives. By refusing to give in to that defective part of human nature, he gained the victory and left us an example of how we should put others' lives first. It's a most difficult lesson to learn and keep in mind.
I agree with you that
However, Jesus was "dead to self" throughout His life, through the power of the Holy Spirit. In all His actions, self did not appear.
So, no, I don't believe Jesus had to die to "fully vanquish selfishness."
He died on the cross because sinful humans killed Him. But there is much more to the story of the cross. Among other things, Jesus did not die from crucifixion, but from a broken heart. He bore the sins of humanity and that burden of sin crushed out His life. I tend to think that the mocking Jews who clamored for His crucifixion were symbolic of all of sinful humanity.
Hello Robert!
The sacrifice of Christ wasn't for any sin or selfishness on His part, but for ours. Satan knew that we humans are "hardwired" for self preservation which is why I believe that he "turned up the heat" on Christ, to get Him to save Himself and abandon mankind to be kept under his (Satan's) control and dominion.
The cross broke the shackles that Satan had over mankind.
Jesus' victory over sin at Calvary is offered to us. His secret to success was His deep abiding relationship with the Father. This is the example He showed that we should walk as Jesus walked.
Oh I cannot express how deeply sadden each time I read upon what our Saviour went through at The Cross! But it humbles me as I begin to contemplate my own sinful ways, Lord I humbly throw myself down at your feet because of the Great Love You had and have for someone like me! Help me to do your will is my cry! Each day comes with challenges and life's struggles which could never compare to what you went through with for us! Help me to search and see the needs of others as I myself contemplate my need for you!
The crucifixion is beyond our comprehension. A master who cannot save himself dies for others' sake.
I am thankful He died for you all and me, for all, for that matter, all who will accept His sacrifice. Christ dying on the Cross is treamendeously inspiring for me to continue to stay close to Him.
Christ redeemed us. Though very sorrowful of what He had to do to redeem us, let us be glad He did.
Galatians 3:13-14.
Christ died for us. Though solemn His crucifixion, we rejoice, we are reconciled to Him, through Him.
Romans 5:8-11
What I see when i look upon the scenes of Calvary will depend upon my perspective and my vantage point. when I was a child I looked through the eyes of a child at the wonder and the awe of what He did He did for me, it was unfathomable then and it remains so today. Beyond the physical remains the unfathomable. In the darkest of hours He was truly alone, He could not see beyond the cross. He could not see His Father's broken heart, or see His furrowed brow, He could not sense His presence, For the first time ever, He experienced being alone. He could not hear the host of heaven weeping for their their beloved Michael, their commander, their Creator. Even the fallen Angels dared not lift their voice against their Creator, using man who had succumbed to their influence to do their bidding. the One who spoke into existence innumerable inhabited worlds and all manner of life, the Creator now bent and bowed in service to His creation, every life looking on in horror.
words will never describe that scene, it's beyond comprehension, to even try is to diminish what was, and is, and will be. This scene is repeated continually in the heart of fallen man. some will mock, some will weep, and some will simply exclaim. "Who is this man?" And I can solemnly say 'I know in part, and see only a dim reflection, but what I see is everything I need to see. The world may be a stage, but this act is for all of creation.
when I contemplate the sacrifice of Heaven, I hang my head and cry, my willful rejection and disobedient lifestyle, brought death to the immortal, eternal One, and separated what had never experienced separation, it causes me to cry out "Father, send me a sorrow for sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit so I may turn from sin, and turn toward the One who took my sin to the Grave.
Blessed be the Father and the Son, who poured out love "for a wretch like me".
Shabbat Shalom my friends.
Joshua
Why was Jesus crucified?