Significance in the Crucifixion

The crucifixion of Christ is one of the pinnacle beliefs of Christianity. In fact, if you deny the crucifixion, you are not saved. It is something that must be believed in order to be saved. This week, our purpose is not to prove the crucifixion; rather, we will explore its significance. This event is the climax of all four gospels and takes up a good portion of each. Let’s continue together to find what made this singular event significant enough to make all four gospel writers want to include it in their gospels.

            First, we see fulfilled prophecy through the death of Christ Jesus. There were many prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the crucifixion of Jesus. It was prophesied how and why it would take place. We see, then, that his death was not martyrdom. Rather, it was a fulfillment of a sovereign plan. John records that Christ orchestrated his own death in order to fulfill his Father’s will and provide salvation for the world. “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” The only reason that Jesus was able to die was because he willingly laid down his life.

            In the crucifixion, we see Christ’s innocence and voluntary suffering. One way that we are able to see Christ’s innocence is through the absurdity of his arrest. “Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Everyday, I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:52-53). It didn’t make sense why they were arresting him and how they went about it. We also see Christ’s innocence established through their inability to convict because of the convoluted stories of the false witnesses. “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” (Matthew 26:59-61). During the trials, Pilate kept trying to secure Jesus’ release because he didn’t see any reason to convict him. Despite Christ’s obvious innocence he refused to defend himself. This is because of his voluntary suffering. He willingly suffered so that we might live.

            Finally, Christ’s death was more than physical suffering. It was also spiritual. The first instance that Jesus is recorded as having spiritual agony was in the garden when he was praying to his Father about what was to come. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:43-46). The second instance that is recorded that Jesus was in spiritual anguish was during the divine abandonment. “About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” (Matthew 27:46). This cry of abandonment that Christ made is truly mysterious, and we will never be able to fully comprehend what happened. However, we see that it is the only time in the Synoptics that Jesus addresses God without calling him “Father,” but we must note that he still calls him my God. Because Jesus was bearing the sins of the world, the Father had to turn away because he cannot look upon sin. We cannot explain how the Son can be separated from the Father. However, we must be wary of the error of explaining away the abandonment as impossible, and we must be wary of denying the unity of the Trinity. If the Son were not God, just as the Father is, then he could not bear the sins of the world. Therefore, rather than denying the deity of Christ, the cry of abandonment only makes sense if God himself is bearing the sins of the world.

            The crucifixion is one of the most important realities in Christianity. Without the crucifixion, there would be no salvation. We see that there are some complexities that come with the crucifixion. However, despite these complexities, we are able to trust that Christ really did die on the cross for our sins. God saw us in our sinful, wretched state and loved us so much that he was willing to send His Son to die a gruesome death on the cross so that we might be saved from eternal separation from him. This reality is so unfathomable! Yet it is true, and it happened, and all we can do in response to Christ’s work on the cross is believe on him worship him for it.