The Pain of It All For Us

N.T.#305 "The Pain of It All For Us"

May 15, 2924 

Matthew 27-Part 8 

LET IT GLOW 

Have you ever had a splinter in your finger? Oh, how it hurts until it is removed and healed. Even fracturing a leg bone causing excruciating pain. I can't imagine the pain Jesus suffered when the nails were put through His wrists and feet.  

After the soldiers had their fun spitting, mocking, and repeatedly hitting Jesus on his head where a crown of thorns was, they removed the royal robe and returned His garments. Then they led Jesus away to crucify Him. (verses 30-31)

The time had come. Preparations for the cross was completed. Two condemned criminals were given crossbeams to carry. The bloody and weak Jesus of Nazareth was led into a parade heading to the place of crucifixion-Golgotha.

It is a gradual uphill climb through the city of Jerusalem, out the western gate. It is known today as the Via Dolorosa, a path that winds through a noisy, bustling public marketplace along narrow stone streets. It is a solemn walk to think you are walking the path of the Savior-Redeemer as He bore my cross. The street was so narrow that we hugged the walls of the brick buildings as little cars tried to pass by us. (Even cars the size of Volkswagen Bugs had a hard time maneuvering through it.)

 There are signs designating where Simon the Cyrenian  (present-day Libya) carried His cross for Jesus. (He was probably stumbling under the weight, suffering from the beatings. 

Jesus' ribs could have been fractured and severe lung bruises and lacerations with bleeding into the chest cavity and partial or complete (collapse of the lung). (Crucifixion of Jesus, by Zugibe)

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross. (verse 32) 

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross. (Mark 15:21)

The weight of the crossbeam could have been more than 250 pounds. A healthy man would have struggled with it. (Swindoll)

We rode our bus up the hill and parked down below where we could see the "skull in the rocks" on the hillside above. The bus was quiet as we conveniently made the journey.

Do we carry the name of Jesus with gratitude? Are we acting like He would act in our world? Are we compassionate to help others like Simon did that day? Do we carry our lost friends, family members, and neighbors to the Throne of Grace in prayer?

LET IT GROW 

Golgotha is a translation of the Aramaic world skull, Latin was calvaria.  Locals may have chosen this name because the outcropping of rock resembled a skull from a distance. The cross most likely looked like a large capital T. Most victims were tied in place to prolong his death, but they nailed the hands and feet of Jesus so that He would die within hours. instead of lingering for days. (Swindoll)

What excruciating pain Jesus endured for us. 

Verse 35 tells of their casting lots for Jesus' clothing. Soldiers would have stripped Jesus' clothes off Him to shame Him. 

LET IT GO

Jesus, thank You for loving and setting us free.

Thank You for giving Your life just for me.

How I thank You, Precious Jesus.

And I praise You!