The Crucifixion of Christ
January 10, 2021
Commentary
The procession came to a place called “Golgotha” or the “place of a skull” located northwest of the city, just outside the city wall (v. 33). Before the act of the crucifixion, the soldiers kept offering Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to dull the senses and pain but He refused to drink it (v. 34). Then they nailed his hands and feet to the cross and placed it in the ground (v. 35). Over His head was written “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (vv. 36-37). Two criminals were hung on each side of Him (v. 38). While hanging there Jesus was subject to continual verbal abuse and mockery by those passing (vv. 39-40), by the religious leaders (vv. 41-43) and by those that were crucified with Him (v. 44). At first both robbers made fun of Jesus, but when one criminal saw how Jesus reacted, he was struck to the heart and came to faith (Luke 23:40-43).
At noon, a miraculous darkness covered the land (v. 45). This was not a sandstorm or an eclipse, as some have suggested but was a heaven-sent darkness that lasted for three hours. There were three days of darkness in Egypt before the original Passover (Ex. 20:21-23); and now there were three hours of darkness before the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world. Jesus was silent for these three hours while He became the sin offering for the world (John 1:29) and was forsaken by the father. Then Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (v. 46). Then with one last cry, He gave up His spirit (vv. 47-50), committing it into the hands of His Father (Luke 23:46). In other words, having borne the wrath of God’s judgment against sin, He knew He had triumphed over Satan and the curse of sin.
Application
If Jesus were here today, what do you think would be the charge against Him? Where would I be? When is the last time that I have thanked Him for dying for me?
Matthew 27:33–50 (NET)
33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”) 34 and offered Jesus wine mixed with gall to drink. But after tasting it, he would not drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat down and kept guard over him there. 37 Above his head they put the charge against him, which read: “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” 38 Then two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross!” 41 In the same way even the chief priests—together with the experts in the law and elders —were mocking him: 42 “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel! If he comes down now from the cross, we will believe in him! 43 He trusts in God—let God, if he wants to, deliver him now because he said, ‘I am God’s Son’!” 44 The robbers who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him.
45 Now from noon until three, darkness came over all the land. 46 At about three o’clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the rest said, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.