Basic HTML Version
Crucifixion of Christ
177
His face was pale, and large drops of sweat stood upon His brow.
Satan exulted in the suffering through which the Son of God was
passing, yet feared that his efforts to thwart the plan of salvation had
been in vain, that his kingdom was lost, and that he must finally be
destroyed.
After Jesus had been nailed to the cross, it was raised and with
great force thrust into the place which had been prepared for it in the
ground, tearing the flesh and causing the most intense suffering. To
make the death of Jesus as shameful as possible, two thieves were
crucified with Him, one on each side. The thieves were taken by
force, and after much resistance on their part, their arms were thrust
back and nailed to their crosses. But Jesus meekly submitted. He
needed no one to force His arms back upon the cross. While the
thieves were cursing their executioners, the Saviour in agony prayed
for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they
do.” It was not merely agony of body which Christ endured; the sins
of the whole world were upon Him.
[177]
As Jesus hung upon the cross, some who passed by reviled Him,
wagging their heads as if bowing to a king, and said to Him, “Thou
that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself.
If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Satan used
the same words to Christ in the wilderness—“If Thou be the Son
of God.” The chief priests, elders, and scribes mockingly said, “He
saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel,
let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.”
The angels who hovered over the scene of Christ’s crucifixion were
moved to indignation as the rulers derided Him and said, “If He be
the Son God, let Him deliver Himself”. They wished there to come
to the rescue of Jesus and deliver Him, but they were not suffered to
do so. The object of His mission was not yet accomplished.
As Jesus hung upon the cross during those long hours of agony,
He did not forget His mother. She had returned to the terrible scene,
for she could not longer remain away from her Son. The last lesson
of Jesus was one of compassion and humanity. He looked upon the
grief-stricken face of His mother, and then upon His beloved disciple
John. He said to His mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then He
said to John, “Behold thy mother!” And from that hour John took
her to his own house.