In this part of the Christian ear here is a study on Christ and Him Crucified

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

Updated March 2004

Offered that Jesus Christ would be glorified and that as He is lifted up all will be drawn to Him!

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

When I first became a Christian I was interested in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. I looked for any information I could find, but there was very little available. Once I went to a Christian Bookstore and asked for some books about the crucifixion. The clerk gave me a look of disgust and asked why I would want to study something like that.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the foundation on which Christians live their lives and place their hope for the future. Yet in our times we often see it as something disgusting, or horrible. Many find songs about the blood of Jesus to be tasteless in our times.

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not a bloody spectacle to scare us, but a sign of the depth of God’s love for us. Years ago, I was in the Navy and shared my faith with some of the men at the Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee. One of them came from a background of alcohol and drug abuse. His wife, who was also using drugs, had left with his son. For a long time he hadn’t heard from them and was very worried. He came to our Navigator’s meetings so he could talk to us and get us to pray for him. After a while, he accepted Jesus Christ and started studying the Bible.

For weeks we prayed very hard that the Lord would bring his son back to him. One day he came and said his wife had called and that she would come back to him. They went to a counselor and she started going to church. The family was together again.

During a study of the Gospel of John Chapter 3 he really had a hard time understanding God’s love. We tried to help him, but I must admit that it is an area I had struggled with myself. One night he came to my room and told me excitedly that he understood. He said that everyone knew how much he loved his son. How he would do anything to protect him from any harm.

God’s love, he said, was like him taking his son to the worst bar in town filled with child molesters and perverts and leaving him there for them to do whatever they wanted. He asked himself, “would I do that for someone?” “Would I do that for anyone?” “NO”, he said. “But God loved us that much!” “Not just enough to die for us, but enough to give his Son to die for us!”

“and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:20 NRSV)

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

LESSON 1 Old Testament Prophecy

Scriptures: Genesis 3:15 (The first prophecy of the crucifixion)

Isaiah 53 (The fullness of what Jesus Christ did)

Psalm 22 (A verbal picture of the Suffering Messiah)

Important verses: Psalm 22:1, 69:21, and 31:5.

Isaiah 53

Verses 1-3 This section deals with the person of Jesus Christ. He grew up before the Lord. Wasn’t one that would draw attention by His looks. Many despised Him, and He was rejected. People considered Him of little worth. He was a Man of many sorrows and much grief in His life. People would even hide their faces from Him. Does this seem an unusual picture of Jesus? _______

What surprises you most about this?

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Verses 4-6 This sections lists all that Jesus has done for us.

A. Borne our grief’s.

B. Carried our sorrows.

C. Wounded for our transgressions.

D. Bruised for our iniquities.

E. His chastisement made us whole.

F. With His stripes we are healed.

G. All our iniquity was laid on Him.

Despite this, we esteemed Him stricken of God. Smitten and afflicted. All this was done even though we like sheep had left the flock to go our own way.

Define transgression -

LESSON 1 Old Testament Prophecy - Page 2

Define Iniquity -

Chastise -

Verses 7-9 Here we find a list of what it cost Jesus Christ.

A. Oppressed, yet He didn’t complain. Jesus was silent like a sheep before the shearers.

B. He was taken away (killed) by oppression and judgment, and His generation was cut off from life. He was stricken for others.

C. Though Jesus did no violence, and had never lied, He was buried as a wicked man in another man’s tomb.

Why did Jesus do this? ____________________________________________

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Verses 10-12 The fulfillment of His suffering.

A. It was the will (Sometimes translated desire or pleasure.) of God to bruise Jesus, and make Him an offering for sin. The will of the Lord will prosper in His hand and He shall see offspring from His sacrifice. His days shall be prolonged.

B. As Jesus has borne our iniquity, He shall see the fruit of His sufferings and be satisfied. By His righteousness many shall be declared righteous.

C. Jesus shall have a portion with the great, and will divide the spoil with the strong. Because He poured His soul out in death, and was numbered with transgressors. Bore the sins of many, and interceded for the transgressors.

LESSON 1 Old Testament Prophecy - Page 3

Define: Intercede -

Righteous -

What do you think the “fruit of His sufferings” means? __________________

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Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

LESSON 2 History of Crucifixion

Crucifixion was first known to be used as a punishment by the Egyptians and was later used by the Persians. In its earliest form the victim was either tied to a tree, or tied to or impaled on an upright post. The Persians used crucifixion to keep the guilty persons feet from touching the ground because they believed it defiled the earth, which they considered holy.

The Romans took crucifixion and perfected it. As a capital punishment it was designed to produce a very slow death with a maximum of suffering. Every attempt was made to make crucifixion as public as possible. Shame was enlisted to increase the pain.

Crucifixion was only used on non-Romans except in the case of a soldier who deserted. Because of its severity it was only used on the worst offenders who were to be a public example. It was used to show the power of Rome.

The Practice of Crucifixion

There were many variations that were limited only by the cruelty and imagination of the Romans in charge. Please understand cruelty was not just a prerogative of the Romans. Even in our times we have heard of the cruelties of many peoples. Recently in Sudan, Christians were crucified by Moslems if they would not convert.

From church and movies we often see the cross as an enlarged small t. But there were many different types of crosses used. Here is a list of some of the different types used. (The first name is in Latin.)

Infelix lignum a tree

Crux simplex a post

Crux humilis low cross

Crux sublimis high cross

Crux Commissa T (tau) shaped cross

Crux Immissa Latin shaped cross-used in Churches

Crux decussata X shaped cross

The condemned person often was scourged before the crucifixion. They would then carry the patibulum (the crossbar which weighed 75 to 125 pounds) from the scourging post to the upright wooden stipes set up outside the city for constant use.

LESSON 2 History of Crucifixion - Page 2

A military guard headed by a Centurion would surround the condemned to protect them from the crowd. One of the soldiers carried a titulus (sign) which told the persons name and crime. The titulus would later be attached to the top, or at the foot of the cross.

Reaching the stipes, the person would be nailed to the patibulum by the use of iron spikes. The spikes were usually 5 to 7 inches long with a square shaft 3/8 inch across that were driven in the wrist between the carpal and radius bones. If you take your wrist you can feel the two bones on either side of the arm below the wrist. By driving the spikes here they wouldn’t break any bones or destroy the arteries. This would allow the person to live longer on the cross.

After this the patibulum and victim were lifted to the stipes and they were attached together. Then the victim’s knees were bent and the feet were attached to the stipes. They could either be tied, or nailed to the stipes by spikes. They were usually attached with the right foot over the left. Then the titulus was attached to the top or placed at the bottom.

After all this was completed the taunting began. The person was completely naked and the shame was especially intense for Jews because of their modesty. The possessions of the person were to be divided by the soldiers on duty. Items like the cloak of Jesus would lose their value by being divided, so they were gambled over.

Sometimes a drink of drugged wine was offered. This “act of mercy” took away the edge of the pain and allowed the victim to live longer on the cross and compounded the pain in the long run.

The victim usually lasted from three hours to four days. Some were known to have lasted for as much as 30 days. Most times the body was left to be devoured by birds. But a family could obtain special permission from the local Governor for the body to be buried. In the case of the crucifixion of Jesus the bodies were removed because of the Jewish Festival of Passover.

Crucifixion was cruel in how it killed. The Romans called it “the dance of death”. The person would hang from ropes and spikes in the wrist causing intense pressure on the chest muscles making it impossible to breathe. To be able to breathe the victim would have to stand on the spike in their feet to take the pressure off their lungs. The pain in their feet, or weariness would overcome them and they would sag on the spikes in their wrists again. The victim “performed” this up and down “dance of death” until either exhaustion set in, or the legs were broken. Then the victim would die from lack of oxygen. This makes the sayings of Jesus from the cross so important, since they cost Him so much to make them.

LESSON 2 History of Crucifixion - Page 3

Questions for thought:

Why did Jesus die?

Why die in such a humiliating way?

What would have happened if Jesus hadn’t died on the cross?

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

LESSON 3 Seven saying of Jesus Christ while on the cross

The seven saying of Jesus Christ on the cross were spoken in a 6 hour period from about 9 AM to 3 PM. Remember from Lesson 2 that it is a great torment for someone to speak while being crucified. Each saying is a gem mined from intense pain. The listing below is the order most believe the sayings came in. There is no single account where all seven are listed together. Please notice not only the order, but also how these sayings divide into three different sections.

1. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. (Luke 23:34 NRSV)

2. He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43 NRSV)

3. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19:26-27 NRSV)

* * *

4. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34 NRSV) [Psalm 22:1]

5. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." (John 19:28 NRSV) [Psalm 69:21]

6. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30 NRSV) [John 17:4]

* * *

7. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46 NRSV) [Psalm 31:5]

LESSON 3 Seven saying of Jesus Christ while on the cross - Page 2

The three sections shown above show the three completion’s that Jesus accomplished upon the cross.

Section 1 Sayings 1-3 The completion of the ministry and earthly life of

Jesus.

Section 2 Sayings 4-6 The completion of the true suffering of Jesus.

Section 3 Saying 7 The completion of the sacrifice of Jesus.

Express in your own words what you believe Jesus meant by each saying.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Which one means the most to you and why? (Use another sheet.)

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

LESSON 4 Gethsemane to the Court of Pilate

Gethsemane means oil press.

This garden is believed to have been located East of Jerusalem, across the brook Kidron at the foot of Mount Olivet. Many came there to cool off in the shade of the trees. The Grotto of the Agony is located on this site.

In Luke 22:39-54 we see the agony of Jesus in this garden of beauty.

A. Jesus’ prayer

B. Sleeping apostles

C. Betrayal

D. Love of Jesus

E. Hour of darkness

Note of interest: The brook of Kidron was where the blood from all the sacrifices at the temple was drained. On this night the Kidron would have run red from the blood flow.

Would you have chosen to go to the cross?

After being betrayed, Jesus was arrested and charged with blasphemy against God by the Jews, and treason against Rome. To be sure of His death, both religious and secular charges were made. The Jewish leaders could sentence a person to death, but the sentence would only be carried out if approved by the local Roman government. That is why they included the secular charge about treason.

The six trials of Jesus

1. Before Annas John 18:13

2. Before Caiaphas John 18:19

3. Sent to Pilate John 18:28

4. Sent to Herod Luke 23:6

5. Back before Pilate John 19:1-16

Jesus scourged

6. Returned to Pilate John 19:1-16

LESSON 4 Gethsemane to the Court of Pilate - Page 2

One would imagine that anyone who had six trials would get at least one honest person who would set them free if they were innocent. In John 19:4 we are told that Jesus was innocent. Why wasn’t He set free? Here are several reasons why these trials were so ineffective at justice.

A. All the trials were held illegally.

B. No two witnesses could agree. Jesus was finally convicted by His

own statement (Luke 22:66-71).

C. The trials were held at forbidden hours.

D. The Sanhedrin wasn’t fully assembled so the conviction was illegal.

E. Jesus was in the end judged more by the crowd than by Pilate.

In all of these trials we see the total collapse of both the Jewish and Roman Justice systems. This is made even more amazing since both systems were considered the best and most fair of the time. Both were systems based on being innocent until proven guilty. In most systems of that time to be charged meant that you were guilty and had to attempt to prove your innocence. Often the very person who made the charge was the judge you had to face. Both the Romans and Jews took great pride in their Justice systems of that time.

What was Jesus finally convicted of?

Why was Jesus scourged?

What was the evidence Jesus gave that helped convict Him? (Luke 22:66-71)

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

LESSON 5 The Fulfillment of Old Testament sacrifice

Offering for sin in Leviticus 16 (Hebrews 9:7-25)

1. Priest must get a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.

(Vs 3) (See Leviticus 4:3-12)

2. Then the priest must cleanse and dress properly for the ceremony. (Vs 4)

3. From the congregation receive two kids (from goats) for a sin offering and

a ram for burnt offering. (Vs 5)

4. The priest must offer his own sin offering. (Vs 6)

5. Two goats are then brought forward and the priest casts lots over them. One is for the Lord and the other is a scapegoat. The Lord’s goat is offered for a sin offering, while the other will be saved for later. (Vs 7-10) (Romans 3:25, and II Corinthians 5:21)

6. The priest offers the sin offering for himself. (Vs 11)

7. A censer full of burning coals and sweet incense are taken within the veil by the priest. When within the veil, the priest places the incense on the coals to make a cloud of incense over the mercy seat so that he won’t die. (Vs 12-13) (Exodus 25:21, Exodus 30:34, and I Timothy 6:16)

8. The priest must sprinkle blood from the bull before the mercy seat seven times. (Vs14)

9. The priest will then kill the goat of sin offering for the people and do as he did with the bull. (Vs 15) (Hebrews 2:17)

10. The priest will make an atonement of the holy place because of the sins of Israel then for himself, his household, all the congregation of Israel, and the altar. (Vs 16-19)

11. Then the priest will take the live goat and lay hands on him and confess the iniquities and sins of the people over the goat and send the goat (scapegoat) into the wilderness where the goat will bear the iniquities of the people into an uninhabited land. (Vs 20-22) (I Peter 2:24)

12. The priest shall put off the linen garments and cleanse himself. He will offer a burnt offering for himself and the people. Then he will burn the fat of the sin offering upon the altar. (Vs 23-25)

13. The one that let the scapegoat go shall wash himself and his clothes and then he may come into the camp. (Vs 26)

14. The bull and goat remains are taken outside the camp and burnt. The one who burns them must also wash himself and his clothes before coming into the camp. (Vs 27-28) (Hebrews 13:11-12)

LESSON 5 The Fulfillment of Old Testament sacrifice - Page 2

15. This should all be done on the tenth day of the seventh month of each year. (Vs 29-34)

Jesus, and Him crucified seen in this ceremony

1. In the overall idea of cleansing. We are cleansed of our sins through

Jesus’ death on the cross.

2. The one offering the sacrifice had to be pure. But Jesus didn’t need a ritual cleansing. He was already pure and holy!

3. The priest does for all what they cannot do for themselves. Jesus saves us from our sins, which we were helpless to do for ourselves.

4. Jesus is the fulfillment of the two goats. He is the sin offering for us. Killed, His blood was offered to cleanse us from our sin. He is the scapegoat because He took our sins upon Him and was cast out for our sins. Cast out of town, and cast out by the Father for our sins.

Jesus fulfilled this ceremony for us. Indeed, the ceremony was a preview

of what Jesus would do for us. He would be the final sacrifice, once for all time.

Because of Jesus we can come into the holy of holies at any time. He has opened the veil of the Temple (Mark 15:38) for all to go into the presence of God. By Jesus cleansing us, and taking our sins upon Himself, we can enter into God’s presence boldly! Not because we are righteous, but because we can claim His righteousness. This is possible because He has cleansed us from the sin that separated us from God. As it says,

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood,

and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

(Hebrews 9:22 NRSV)

How could the blood of animals cleanse our sins?

Define Atonement -

Sacrifice -

Holy -

Christ, and Him Crucified

By Ronald Ramsey

LESSON 6 The hope of the resurrection. The center of our faith

The words resurrection and hope are synonymous. “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19 NRSV) With the promise of eternal life we can more fully live our earthly life.

Evidence for the resurrection

1. The eyewitness accounts of the disciples.

2. The empty tomb.

3. The transformation of the disciples.

4. That the resurrection was taught in the Church from the beginning.

5. The Jewish leaders were never able to disprove the resurrection.

6. The growth of the Church with the message of the resurrection.

7. The change to Sunday as the primary day of worship for Christians.

8. James (I Corinthians 15:7) and Paul (Acts 9:1-9), both skeptics, later proclaimed the resurrection.

9. That Jesus predicted the resurrection before His death. (Matthew 17:22-23)

10. The Bible only leaves room for a spiritual answer because of the: size of the stone, the Roman seal, and that the guards stationed.

(1-9 are from “Verdict On The Shroud” by Kenneth Stevenson and Gary Habermas. Page 196-199)

The idea that the Roman Guards fell asleep is beyond belief. To become a Roman soldier one had to defend a square of ground against all opponents for two days. The penalty for sleeping on watch was instant death. There didn’t even need to be a trial. The odds that an entire squad of soldiers fell asleep is beyond belief.

Was Jesus Dead?

Some historians have stated that there was no resurrection because Jesus never died. Called the “swoon theory”, it states that Jesus was still alive in the tomb and later recovered. He got out of the tomb and that is why the disciples and so many others saw Him later.

John 19:32-42 is perfect evidence for the death of Jesus for a modern day physician. “Clearly, the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to His side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between His right ribs, perforated not only

LESSON 6 The hope of the resurrection. The center of our faith - Page 2

the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured His death.” From the Journal of American Medical Association, March 21, 1986 (Page 1463) This evidence is seen in scripture.

“Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your

hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last.”

(Luke 23:46 NRSV)

In the end it is all about spending forever in the presence of God and about being healed from our sins totally so that we can be in God’s presence. About the eternal change that takes place in our lives when we accept Jesus and is finally fulfilled as we in heaven.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place." "See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."” (Revelation 22:1-7 NRSV)

Why is it important that Jesus died? (Romans 5:10)

What is the importance of the resurrection? (I Corinthians 15:12-19)

What does eternity mean to you?