Why Crucifixion - Part 1

Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again" (Matthew 20:18-19).

In the days of Jesus there were several ways in which a person was killed: (1) drowning, (2) thrown off a high cliff, (3) burned alive, (4) eaten alive by insects, birds, and animal, (5) pour molten metal down one’s throat, (6) boiling in oil, (7) stoning, (9) strangulation, (10) beheading, and (11) crucifixion. Why did the Romans decide to crucify Jesus? Why didn’t Rome allow the Jews to stone Jesus to death, since historically that was their prescribed method of execution?

The primary reason Jesus died on a cross was to fulfill biblical prophecy. In Numbers 21, the Jews criticized God and Moses for delivering them from Egypt only to die in the Sinai desert. As a judgment upon their sin, God sent poisonous snakes into the camp to kill the people. Moses interceded for them. (Numbers 21:8-9) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Jesus referred to this incident in explaining His own death. He said that He would have to be lifted up in the same way Moses lifted the snake in the desert. Jesus would be held up on a pole (cross) so that those who believe in Him will have eternal life (John 3:14-15).

King David prophesied the horrific death of the Messiah. (Psalm 22:14-18) I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. 

In Galatians 4:4-5 the Apostle Paul wrote, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. The ‘fullness of the time’ refers to that time when all things necessary for Jesus to offer Himself as our atoning sacrifice for sin had come to pass, including the godlessness of the chief priests to condemn the Messiah, the authority of the Gentile Romans to execute the Messiah, and the instrument of execution that would be used for His death. All the pieces of the puzzle were there and fit perfectly into place.

“Thank You, Father, for so great a salvation that had been planned before time began. Thank You that Your plan worked perfectly for my salvation and the salvation of all who look upon the Lord Jesus Christ who was lifted up for us. May You receive all glory, honor, and praise, Amen.”

Pastor