Death by crucifixion was a terribly agonizing way to die. It was humiliating; it was public; it was brutal and victims experienced excruciating pain. Crucifixion resulted in extreme shock to the body and a series of complications and organ failure that developed progressively. These complications included asphyxiation, blood clot in the lungs and hypovolemic shock. Jesus was flogged, a crown of thorns was placed upon his head and he was made to carry his cross to Golgotha. He was then nailed to the cross. The soldiers cast lots for His tunic and left Him naked. His body extended outwards. His knees were at a 45-degree angle, which forced Him to hold the weight of His body with His arms. This resulted in difficulty breathing. Through it all, His only declaration was, “I thirst.” From a medical perspective, He was legitimately thirsty, as His body tried to regulate itself from the trauma and shock endured. However, this was not a request for something to drink, but an announcement in fulfillment of scripture. At no point was Jesus at the mercy of His accusers. Jesus was in full control at all times in this epic rescue mission, as He reclaimed us from the hands of the enemy so that we can be reconciled to Him.

In Luke 23:43, Jesus exercised His authority to forgive sins while on the cross. This proved that He was God. In contrast, Matthew 27:46 reveals His human nature, as He cried out to the Father in this moment when He felt abandoned. The Father did not abandon Christ nor did Jesus’ cry diminish His authority and divinity. The Father was very much in agreement and approval of Christ executing the plan of salvation. Christ knew that God did not abandon Him, but the human part of Him probably felt alone. In this moment, Jesus was sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21), subjected Himself to abuse and ultimately sacrificed His life for mankind.

Women who are widows or have outlived their children, are targeted.  They are often forgotten about, ridiculed, and left to fend for themselves.  While the law made provisions for them (the corners of the fields were left for them to glean) they were at the bottom of the social chain.  They could be subject to verbal, physical or sexual abuse. With no one to speak for them, no one to be their voice, they were susceptible to being taken advantage of. Christ understanding this, knew that his mother would fall into this category.  Mary could be subject to years of abuse, and before He died, Christ secured her future. Christ went out of His way, to honor His mother, to show her the highest form of respect. She birthed Him, raised Him, taught Him, pushed Him to do His first miracle, and now He was going to die, leaving her alone.  In death, Christ ministered to His mother. This moment in Christ’s life should serve as a reminder to us. Never let a moment of sorrow, or pain, of grief, keep you from ministering to this who will need Him most.

The picture painted in this scripture is one of mediation, redemption and damnation. It presents the story of salvation, as Jesus hung between two accused individuals. One received eternal life. The other did not. A mediator is a person who “goes between” to resolve conflict. Christ is the ultimate mediator, for Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted and His royal robe filled the temple (Isaiah 6:1). Although Jesus was viewed as simply one who had also been accused, He was very much Lord, Savior and mediator on the cross.

Christ shed immortality and divinity to put on Mortality and humanity.  On earth, He showed us what it looked like to be 100% man, while totally surrendering to God and keeping God in control.  He became our perfect example, never once giving into temptation, or committing sin, showing us what a holy life looks like, and how our lives can be pleasing to God.  If we follow His perfect example, we can rest in knowing that one day we will be with God in eternity. Christ sacrificed life in heaven where he was worshipped 24/7 to come to earth where he knew he would be ridiculed, ostracized, killed.  He came to earth to this same mankind, knowing that humanity would betray Him, turn their backs on Him, reject Him. Despite all this, Christ chose to die for us anyway. It while he was actively dying, while He was on that tree, he uttered His first words: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” They were breaking a commandment, killing someone and Christ knew that the punishment for this crime was death.  Christ knew that God was well within His right to punish humanity for killing His only son. Christ hasn’t died yet, so humanity hadn’t been pardoned for their crimes. Christ knowing this, begins to plead and intercede for us. In this moment, Christ shows us that in the midst of our storm, our trial and tribulation, whatever we are going through, we can still forgive those who plot, plan and scheme our demise. If Christ can momentarily stop dying to forgive those who he came to save, the we can indefinitely stop what we’re doing to forgive those who hurt us.