Good Friday: Always On His Mind

I have been reflecting today, Good Friday, on the sacrifice that Jesus made for the whole world. The History Channel aired a special about crucifixion, which I watched. They talked of Jesus and the excruciating pain he experienced as he suffered on the cross. We get the word “excruciating” from the word “crucifixion”. It is the most horrific, gruesome way to die, reserved for the worst criminals. But it was not just death, it was torture as well, and on display, for all to see. The Romans at this moment in history, had “perfected” crucifixion as the ultimate form of torture and punishment which resulted in a slow, painful death.

It was a way to discourage uprisings against those in power. In effect, to say, if you get out of line, this is what will happen to you. Crucifixion was greatly feared. Juxtapose that to what the cross stands for today: salvation, hope, redemption, the most widely recognized symbol of Christianity.

Death by crucifixion was preceded by beating the person with whips which would open up huge wounds on their backs. It would wrap around to the front and often expose the internal organs. He endured this scourging so that we could be healed of every kind of pain, sickness, disease, mental illness, all of it!

They said on this special that aired, that there was no comfortable position on the cross that Jesus would have ever been in. The weight of His entire body was supported by three giant nails, driven through the wrists and the feet stacked, one on top of another. When He raised up to take a breath, pain like lightning would shoot through his feet and legs. When He would breathe, the wounds on His back would be reopened as they rubbed against the rough wood of the cross. When He would support his weight with His feet, He would be in tremendous pain. When He would let His hands support His body weight, unbearable pain would race through his hands, arms, and shoulders. The placement of the nails rested on a major nerve that runs through the wrists into the hands and pain would be felt all through that part of the body. Breathing in and out, tremendous pain would either be in the hands or feet. Death was by asphyxiation as the person lost the strength to push up to be able to breathe.

Furthermore, His torturers stripped him naked before being crucified to shame him.

He did this for me, for you. We were certainly on his mind as He suffered and died. He could have, at any moment, commanded legions of angels to deliver him, yet he chose not to. To understand what crucifixion actually means and all that it entails makes me love Him all the more!! I stand in complete awe at the plan and unconditional love of God to redeem and reconcile mankind back to Himself!!

When David penned these words about his own suffering, it was prophetic of Christ’s suffering on the cross:

His sacrifice once and for all made the way for us to be cleansed from our sin and to be able to experience fullness of life in this life and in the life to come. The sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday purchased the resurrection on Sunday. What an incredible price had to be paid!

“Dear Lord, let us fully be able to grasp how much you love us and know that all we have to do to be right with you, is to accept the sacrifice you so freely give us.”

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, I can’t think of a better time than Good Friday to ask Him to be the Lord of your life! All you need to do is pray this simple prayer and mean it from your heart: “Lord Jesus, I ask you to forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart and life and save me. I give you complete control of my life. I say that you are my Lord and I believe that God raised you from the dead. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please go and tell someone. Tell them how God has changed your life! You can even comment below and let us know what God is doing in your life!