Jesus Endured the Cross
Day 24
by Gini Crawford, MSW
Jesus endured physical pain
Jesus lived on this earth knowing He would be crucified. Yet, He knew death could not defeat Him, but that He would rise from the dead bringing life everlasting to us. (Luke 9:20-22; Acts 2:24). Yes, Jesus knew the suffering that awaited Him, but He willingly endured it for us.
...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame… Hebrews 12:2 ESV®
Here's a summary taken from the Gospels of what Jesus endured going to the cross: After betrayal by one of His twelve Apostles and His arrest (Matthew 26:47-56), Jesus experienced several unjust trials from Jewish leaders where He was falsely accused, bound, mocked, spit on and struck many times. Pilate, who believed Jesus was innocent, had Him scourged or whipped anyway. A company of soldiers stripped Him, put a purple robe and a crown of thorns on Him, leading to more mocking, striking and spitting. They removed the robe to put His clothes back on, consequently exacerbating His wounds and demeaning Him. Even though Jesus was clearly innocent, the Jewish leaders demanded His crucifixion. The soldiers pierced Jesus' wrists and feet with large nails to hold Him securely on the cross, and then the cross was dropped forcefully into a deep hole so it would stand erect, both of which being very painful. On the cross Jesus was heartlessly mocked by many as He hung in awful pain. Soldiers cast lots for His clothes, so was He naked? The Bible doesn't say. (Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 26:47-68, 27:1-2, 11-50; Mark 15:16-39; Luke 22:63-71, 23:26-49). Honestly, it is hard for me to truly understand why God would leave His throne in heaven to endure such suffering for you and me. It is amazing love, as the song says, isn't it?
The actor who played Jesus Christ in the movie, The Passion of Christ was Jim Caviezel. Even though the crucifixion and scourging was simulated for the movie: Jim lost 45 pounds, the scourging scene left a painful scar, he was in excruciating pain from his shoulder being dislocated when the cross was dropped into the hole with him on it, and he suffered hypothermia from being nearly naked on the cross for endless hours. I feel what Jim went through gives us a real life glimpse into physically what Jesus endured for us.
What are your thoughts on what Jesus endured for you?
We all deal with physical pain, some of us more than others, because we live in a fallen world. But take heart, since Jesus suffered we will inherit a heavenly body that will never experience pain or suffering. How do you feel about this?
Jesus endured psychological distress
How would you feel if you knew you were going to be crucified? Anxious? Because Jesus is all-knowing He literally knew everything that He would experience before it happened. So of course, Jesus had psychological distress as His crucifixion neared. This is shown to us in the garden of Gethsemane (on the Mount of Olives) when Jesus cries out to the Father in agony about being crucified. The Greek word agony (agonia) in Luke 22:44 refers to anxiety produced by fear or tension before something hard such as a battle. Paying for our sins was the hardest battle ever fought!
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.... And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ... And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:39-44 ESV®
Jesus' anxiety-agony was very intense. This is shown to us by the description of how His sweat appeared – like drops of blood. Sweating blood is rare and comes from being under extreme stress.
In the Roman world, crucifixion occurred often, so Jesus had firsthand seen the horrors of it. He also has foreknowledge so literally knew the anguish and pain coming. Yet, the power of Jesus' love for us gave Him a joy to endure the physical and psychological torture, as well as the spiritual anguish of taking the wrath of God upon Himself. His joy came from knowing His beloved (us) would be resurrected and His forever. How do you feel that you are clearly God's beloved since He endured the cross for you? (Hebrews 12:1-2).
...looking to Jesus...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross... Hebrews 12:2 ESV®
Life Application
The hope of our resurrection
Jesus knew death would not hold Him captive, but that He would rise from the dead, bringing eternal life and the hope of the resurrection to us. You might be wondering what resurrection means? It means: to stand on the feet again or rise up as opposed to fall, also it refers to the resurrection of the body from death, return to life. Jesus' death and resurrection allows us to be born again, giving us the hope of bodily living with Jesus. Read John 14:1-3; Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-22, 50-58; 1 Peter 1:3-5. Do these passages give you hope? Share some thoughts from them.
People in third world countries can go blind from cataracts because they have no hope for cataract surgery. Fortunately a few charitable organizations have started to go to these countries offering to heal people's sight. The key for people to gain sight is obvious - to know this surgery exists and take advantage of it. Jesus is offering the hope of the resurrection, but some people don't know or believe God so they don't take advantage of His offer. You have a choice to take advantage of what Jesus has to offer, or to not believe God and live in hopeless darkness.
Jesus' resurrection has a magnificent hope to it, because it takes the ugliness of death and changes it to a joyous home coming in the most beautiful place – heaven. Look to Jesus and the wonderment of your resurrection, and you will find hope in life and in death. Read John 11:25-26. Summarize this passage.
To ponder: The God of the universe suffered for you to give you the hope of the resurrection. Do you feel loved?
Reflect on Hebrews 12:2.