He was crucified.
Crucifixion was seen by the ancient world as a particularly disgraceful and grievous form of execution. It began with the Assyrians, was widely practiced by the Persians, and made its way west to the Celts, Germans, and Britons. The practice of crucifixion became widespread under Alexander the Great. It became the common form of execution for traitors, defeated armies and rebellious slaves. Later, in the Roman Empire, only non-citizens, slaves, and violent offenders could be crucified. Depending on the shape of the crucifix, and the blocks that might be put under the feet or attached to the stake as a seat, death could take from hours to days. A factor in the quickness of death was the degree of torture that preceded the actual crucifixion.
This torturous form of execution was viewed by the Jews as a cursed form of death. Deuteronomy 21:23 states that “Anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” Documents discovered at Qumran reveal that many Jews of Jesus’ time applied this text to Roman crucifixion. That single verse is a stumbling block to many Jews who otherwise might take Jesus as the Messiah.
It is a terrible way to die. Without blocks a victim’s weight would rest totally upon his arms, which were attached to the crosspiece by ropes, nails, or both. This would prohibit breathing and circulation and lead to rapid brain or heart failure. I believe Jesus was crucified in this way.
Jesus, not a slave; a healer rather than a violent offender; a breaker of no law…crucified.
If the four gospels are taken together, we find that Jesus uttered 7 things while on the cross. One of those utterances puts the cross in its proper context and gives it meaning. It is poorly translated into our English versions, “It is finished.” It is one word in Greek; Tetelestai. It was an unusual word, especially in that context. It was a commercial term. If they were able to make rubber stamps in that day, they would have made one for Tetelestai, for the word means, “Paid in Full.”
He did not say, “It is finished, and I’m out of here.” He said, it is “Paid in Full.” The consequence of sin; of my sin and yours; of all sin before his time and all sin after his time…for all of us…is paid in full. Jesus, the perfect and powerful sacrifice, gave his blood to ensure our forgiveness.
And with that he died. Mark tells us that he was crucified at 9:00 A.M., and that he died at 3:00 P.M.
It was Friday, the day of preparation for the Sabbath. Joseph, from Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, went to Pilate late in the day and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was dead so quickly, so he sent for the Roman officer who had been in charge and asked about Jesus. Upon confirmation of his death, Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph. Joseph had been a secret believer. Luke tells us that Joseph did not agree with the decisions and actions of the other religious leaders with respect to Jesus. With Joseph was Nicodemus. They went to the cross, took the body down, wrapped it in a burial sheet along with about 75 pounds of Myrrh and Aloes, and put it in a new tomb, carved out of the rock.
Where were the disciples? Where, indeed.
Darkness fell, followed by a Sabbath in Jerusalem that seethed with fear, disappointment, anger, and disbelief. From the triumphal entry to quick death and a new grave. What was the world coming to…