As mentioned in the previous post, this is a 3 part study on the Arrest, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the ONLY reason for Easter (not some silly bunny who brings colored eggs to children).

We move forward and look at the cross. It was the payment, the atonement for those who had commited the most hideous crimes in that time.

Something I find interesting is how the people picked Jesus over Barabas, a psychotic murdered in the following passage:

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him."
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" [They] all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"
Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather [that] a tumult was rising, he took water and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see [to it]."
And all the people answered and said, "His blood [be] on us and on our children."
(Matthew 27:15-25)

It is a sad thing that the same people who were expecting the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament was the One they were condeming to be put on the cross to die.

Little did they know, that they were trully killing the Son of God.

He was beaten, tortured, humiliated, forced to carry His own cross...and He did it all without saying a word.

The perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world hung on a cross.



I find it interesting how so many people stay at the point of the cross. Yes, what Jesus did, poured His every last drop of blood to be the perfect sacrifice is important, but so many Christians and even non-Christians look at this picture of His death and remain there. We must remember that this is not the end of the story.

The people mocked Him, yelled out their insults...Jesus did not say a word. I think one of the most touching moments in the whole Scripture are His last words:

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.
(Luke 23:46)

This was the completion. Our sins, past, present and future were paid in this very moment, in this important moment in the history of the world.

God, shone away from Jesus because He could not bear the sins of the world on His very own Son.



As many people get prepared to celebrate His death and His resurrection, we must not forget that He did not remain in death, He rose again as we will continue our study on the third and final part of the series.