The Crucifixion
2. The Crucifixion
187:2.1
The soldiers first bound the Master’s arms with cords to the crossbeam, and then they nailed his hands to the wood. When they had hoisted this crossbeam up on the post, and after they had nailed it securely to the upright timber of the cross, they bound and nailed his feet to the wood, using one long nail to penetrate both feet. The upright timber had a large peg, inserted at the proper height, which served as a sort of saddle for supporting the body weight. The cross was not high, the Master’s feet being only about three feet from the ground. He was therefore able to hear all that was said of him in derision and could plainly see the expression on the faces of all those who so thoughtlessly mocked him. And also could those present easily hear all that Jesus said during these hours of lingering torture and slow death.187:2.2
It was the custom to remove all clothes from those who were to be crucified, but since the Jews greatly objected to the public exposure of the naked human form, the Romans always provided a suitable loin cloth for all persons crucified at Jerusalem. Accordingly, after Jesus’ clothes had been removed, he was thus garbed before he was put upon the cross.187:2.3
Crucifixion was resorted to in order to provide a cruel and lingering punishment, the victim sometimes not dying for several days. There was considerable sentiment against crucifixion in Jerusalem, and there existed a society of Jewish women who always sent a representative to crucifixions for the purpose of offering drugged wine to the victim in order to lessen his suffering. But when Jesus tasted this narcotized wine, as thirsty as he was, he refused to drink it. The Master chose to retain his human consciousness until the very end. He desired to meet death, even in this cruel and inhuman form, and conquer it by voluntary submission to the full human experience.187:2.4
Before Jesus was put on his cross, the two brigands had already been placed on their crosses, all the while cursing and spitting upon their executioners. Jesus’ only words, as they nailed him to the crossbeam, were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He could not have so mercifully and lovingly interceded for his executioners if such thoughts of affectionate devotion had not been the mainspring of all his life of unselfish service. The ideas, motives, and longings of a lifetime are openly revealed in a crisis.187:2.5
After the Master was hoisted on the cross, the captain nailed the title up above his head, and it read in three languages, “Jesus of Nazareth—the King of the Jews.” The Jews were infuriated by this believed insult. But Pilate was chafed by their disrespectful manner; he felt he had been intimidated and humiliated, and he took this method of obtaining petty revenge. He could have written “Jesus, a rebel.” But he well knew how these Jerusalem Jews detested the very name of Nazareth, and he was determined thus to humiliate them. He knew that they would also be cut to the very quick by seeing this executed Galilean called “The King of the Jews.”187:2.6
Many of the Jewish leaders, when they learned how Pilate had sought to deride them by placing this inscription on the cross of Jesus, hastened out to Golgotha, but they dared not attempt to remove it since the Roman soldiers were standing on guard. Not being able to remove the title, these leaders mingled with the crowd and did their utmost to incite derision and ridicule, lest any give serious regard to the inscription.187:2.7
The Apostle John, with Mary the mother of Jesus, Ruth, and Jude, arrived on the scene just after Jesus had been hoisted to his position on the cross, and just as the captain was nailing the title above the Master’s head. John was the only one of the eleven apostles to witness the crucifixion, and even he was not present all of the time since he ran into Jerusalem to bring back his mother and her friends soon after he had brought Jesus’ mother to the scene.187:2.8
As Jesus saw his mother, with John and his brother and sister, he smiled but said nothing. Meanwhile the four soldiers assigned to the Master’s crucifixion, as was the custom, had divided his clothes among them, one taking the sandals, one the turban, one the girdle, and the fourth the cloak. This left the tunic, or seamless vestment reaching down to near the knees, to be cut up into four pieces, but when the soldiers saw what an unusual garment it was, they decided to cast lots for it. Jesus looked down on them while they divided his garments, and the thoughtless crowd jeered at him.187:2.9
It was well that the Roman soldiers took possession of the Master’s clothing. Otherwise, if his followers had gained possession of these garments, they would have been tempted to resort to superstitious relic worship. The Master desired that his followers should have nothing material to associate with his life on earth. He wanted to leave mankind only the memory of a human life dedicated to the high spiritual ideal of being consecrated to doing the Father’s will.3. Those Who Saw the Crucifixion
187:3.1
At about half past nine o’clock this Friday morning, Jesus was hung upon the cross. Before eleven o’clock, upward of one thousand persons had assembled to witness this spectacle of the crucifixion of the Son of Man. Throughout these dreadful hours the unseen hosts of a universe stood in silence while they gazed upon this extraordinary phenomenon of the Creator as he was dying the death of the creature, even the most ignoble death of a condemned criminal.187:3.2
Standing near the cross at one time or another during the crucifixion were Mary, Ruth, Jude, John, Salome (John’s mother), and a group of earnest women believers including Mary the wife of Clopas and sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, and Rebecca, onetime of Sepphoris. These and other friends of Jesus held their peace while they witnessed his great patience and fortitude and gazed upon his intense sufferings.187:3.3
Many who passed by wagged their heads and, railing at him, said: “You who would destroy the temple and build it again in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, why do you not come down from your cross?” In like manner some of the rulers of the Jews mocked him, saying, “He saved others, but himself he cannot save.” Others said, “If you are the king of the Jews, come down from the cross, and we will believe in you.” And later on they mocked him the more, saying: “He trusted in God to deliver him. He even claimed to be the Son of God—look at him now—crucified between two thieves.” Even the two thieves also railed at him and cast reproach upon him.187:3.4
Inasmuch as Jesus would make no reply to their taunts, and since it was nearing noontime of this special preparation day, by half past eleven o’clock most of the jesting and jeering crowd had gone its way; less than fifty persons remained on the scene. The soldiers now prepared to eat lunch and drink their cheap, sour wine as they settled down for the long death-watch. As they partook of their wine, they derisively offered a toast to Jesus, saying, “Hail and good fortune! to the king of the Jews.” And they were astonished at the Master’s tolerant regard of their ridicule and mocking.187:3.5
When Jesus saw them eat and drink, he looked down upon them and said, “I thirst.” When the captain of the guard heard Jesus say, “I thirst,” he took some of the wine from his bottle and, putting the saturated sponge stopper upon the end of a javelin, raised it to Jesus so that he could moisten his parched lips.187:3.6
Jesus had purposed to live without resort to his supernatural power, and he likewise elected to die as an ordinary mortal upon the cross. He had lived as a man, and he would die as a man—doing the Father’s will.
Brief Commentary
As the soldiers bound and nailed the hands of our Lord to the crossbeam, and affixed his feet to the upright timber, the physical agony endured by the Master was coupled with the deep spiritual purpose of this self-sacrificial act. The crucifixion, a cruel and lingering punishment, was chosen by Jesus to confront and conquer death through the voluntary submission to the full human experience.
Amidst the excruciating ordeal, Jesus, in a display of unparalleled mercy and love, uttered the immortal words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (UB 187:2.4; Luke 23:34-38) These words laid bare the motives and longings of a lifetime dedicated to unselfish service. Even while enduring such brutality by the hands of the Roman soldiers, Jesus exemplified the divine attribute of forgiveness, giving us the perfect example of pardoning those who transgress against us. Pilate, in a display of what seemed to be petty revenge, inscribed the title “Jesus of Nazareth—the King of the Jews” above the Master’s head. Some of the Jewish leaders, infuriated by this perceived insult, were unwittingly fulfilling the prophecies foretold. The Apostle John, along with Mary and other faithful followers, bore witness to this cosmic drama, and in Jesus’ silent gaze upon his mother, we discern a deeply emotional exchange of love transcending mortal words.
The soldiers, oblivious to the spiritual significance of their actions, divided the Master’s garments, casting lots for his seamless vestment. Jesus, in his wisdom, desired that his followers possess nothing material to associate with his earthly life, leaving humanity with the enduring memory of a life consecrated to fulfilling the Father’s will.
As noon approached, the scene was witnessed by a crowd of onlookers, some mocking and taunting, unable to comprehend the cosmic drama unfolding before them. The Master’s steadfast silence in the face of derision and suffering exemplified his commitment to live and die as an ordinary mortal, thereby fulfilling the Father’s divine will. In the subsequent hours, as the crowd dwindled, the soldiers partook in their callous revelry, toasting mockingly to “the king of the Jews.” And yet, in the midst of this, the Master, parched and enduring the throes of mortality, expressed his humanity with the simple words, “I thirst.” The captain of the guard, moved by a moment of compassion, extended a sponge soaked in wine to moisten the Master’s parched lips.
Jesus, in his immense love, chose to confront the very depths of human suffering, enduring the cross with divine fortitude. In this supreme act of self-sacrifice, he calls us to embrace forgiveness, love, and an unwavering commitment to the Father’s will. I hope this account of the Master’s crucifixion finds a deep place in each of our hearts, inspiring us to walk the path of spiritual ascension, ever mindful of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of humankind.
Life Lessons
The crucifixion of our beloved Master Jesus imparts some very serious life lessons, offering guidance to everyone who seeks spiritual enlightenment.
Jesus, in the throes of his crucifixion, exemplified the power of forgiveness. His words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” is a testament to the capacity of the human spirit to forgive even in the face of cruelty. We are taught to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness, recognising that it can liberate our souls and heal our wounds.
The life of Jesus was the perfect example of selfless service and unwavering devotion to the Father’s will. His decision to endure the cross, choosing the path of mortal suffering, shows the importance of dedicating our lives to noble causes, such as serving others and and living our lives according to God’s will.
The crucifixion teaches us a lesson of endurance in the face of unimaginable adversity. Jesus, in his humanity, willingly faced the excruciating physical and emotional pain, demonstrating the capacity to endure suffering for a much higher purpose. This should challenge us as his disciples to confront our trials with courage and faith, knowing that even in our darkest hours, we are not alone. The Master’s humble submission to the Father’s will, choosing to live and die, serves as a model of humility. It invites us to surrender our personal desires and egos to a much greater that God has for us, acknowledging that true greatness lies in humble service and obedience to the will of the Father.
Jesus’ desire that his followers have nothing material to associate with his earthly life demonstrates the importance of detachment from amassing material possessions. This teaches us to focus on spiritual values and eternal truths, understanding that true wealth lies in the treasures in heaven rather than earthly material accumulation.
The crucifixion teaches us that love triumphs over death. In willingly embracing mortality, the Master demonstrated that death is not the end but a transition from earthly existence to a higher state of existence in other planes of existence.
Questions
How did the soldiers prepare Jesus for the crucifixion, and what significance can be drawn from the manner in which his hands and feet were bound and nailed to the cross?
The narrative describes the crucifixion as a cruel and lingering punishment, with Jesus choosing not to partake in drugged wine offered to alleviate his suffering. What does this decision reveal about Jesus’ consciousness and his purpose in confronting death?
As Jesus was being nailed to the crossbeam, his only words were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” How does this act of mercy and intercession for his executioners reflect the motives and ideals of Jesus’ life?
The presence of Mary, John, and others during the crucifixion is significant. How does the reaction of these witnesses, their silence, and the expressions of Jesus towards them contribute to the depth of the account in the Urantia Book?
The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ tunic, and it’s noted that it was well that they took possession of his clothing to prevent relic worship. What spiritual lesson can be derived from Jesus’ desire to leave his followers with the memory of his life rather than material artefacts?
The crowd’s mocking and the reactions of various onlookers, including the soldiers, paint a vivid picture of the events. How does Jesus’ response to the mockery and jeering, as well as his simple statement, “I thirst,” convey spiritual lessons about enduring suffering and maintaining composure?
Jesus, in his purposeful decision, lived and died as an ordinary mortal, eschewing the use of supernatural power. What significance does this hold in terms of the teachings about the Father’s will and the example set for his followers?
How does the concept of unconditional forgiveness, exemplified by Jesus’ words on the cross, guide individuals in their own lives, especially when faced with cruelty and injustice?
How can a person make sure their goals include noble causes and that they are walking within God’s will, following the example set by Jesus in choosing the path of mortal suffering?
What practical steps can Jesus’ disciples take to confront trials with courage and faith, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ capacity to endure physical and emotional pain for a higher purpose?
How does embracing humility contribute to spiritual growth, and how can a person surrender personal desires and egos in order to be in line with God’s divine plan?
How can the potential for compassion, even in challenging circumstances, be applied in daily interactions with others?
What practical steps can one take to focus on spiritual values and eternal truths while understanding the transient nature of material possessions?
How does the thought of transitioning from one plane of existence to another provide solace and hope in the face of mortality, and how can a person embrace the fact that love transcends the temporal boundaries of earthly existence?
How can a person integrate forgiveness, service, endurance, humility, compassion, detachment, and the triumph of love into their daily lives?
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