Crucifixion was common. In 4 B.C., the Roman General Varus crucified 2,000 Jews in Palestine, the first of many mass crucifixions. The Romans perfected crucifixion, including the whippings, beatings, and placement of the body on the cross. The hands were nailed through a wrist bone, and one skeleton has been found with a wooden board on either side of the hand acting as a washer so the nail would not rip loose. Archaeologists have found evidence the feet were nailed with the heels on either side of the cross, nails driven through ankle bones.
Because victims were naked and nailed up like a bug pinned in a display case, crucifixion was a shameful way to die. Rome reserved this ignoble death for enemies of the state: rebels, revolutionaries, terrorists. Jesus was accused of no such thing.
Finally, Rome forced the victim to carry the cross beam, often by tying it across his shoulders. This was such a common sight, Jesus spoke of it long before it happened to Him:
“If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever is willing to lose his life because of Me will save it. For what good is it if a man gains the whole world, yet loses his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26.
What does Jesus mean when He says take up a cross? It sounds a bit … unpleasant. A CROSS? Didn’t Joel Osteen write a book promising, YOUR BEST LIFE NOW?
On the other hand, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who stood up to Hitler, said: “When Jesus Christ calls a man, He bids him ‘COME and DIE.’”
You may never face death for Jesus. But will you die to your own wishes? Die to your selfishness? Crucify your wrong desires? Lay wrong beliefs on the altar? Surrender control of your own future? Can you give Jesus EVERYTHING?
Because that is what He requires.
Pray with me: God, show us areas we need to surrender to you.
ΑΩ
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