Passover 2022 Reflections of the Cross

PASSOVER 2022 REFLECTIONS OF THE

CROSS

“Cruci xion was not only one of the most disgraceful and painful forms of death, but it was also one of the most dreaded methods of execution in the ancient world. Accounts of cruci xions are recorded among early civilizations, most likely originating with the Persians and then spreading to the Assyrians, Scythians, Carthaginians, Germans, Celts, and Britons.

Cruci xion as a type of capital punishment was primarily reserved for traitors, captive armies, slaves, and the worst of criminals.

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Crucifying criminals became common under the rule of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), who cruci ed 2,000 Tyrians after conquering their city.

Cruci xion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 B.C. It is quite possibly the most painful death ever invented by humankind. The English language derives the word “excruciating” from cruci xion, acknowledging it as a form of slow, painful suffering. Its punishment was reserved for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and the vilest of criminals. Victims were nailed to a cross; however, Jesus’ cross was probably not the Latin cross, but rather a Tau cross (T). The vertical piece (the stipes) remains in the ground permanently. The accused carries only the horizontal piece (the patibulum) up the hill. Atop the patibulum lies a sign (the titulus), indicating that a formal trial occurred for a violation of the law. In Jesus’ case, this reads “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38).

The accused needed to be nailed to the patibulum while lying down, so Jesus is thrown to the ground, reopening His wounds, grinding in dirt, and causing bleeding. They nail His “hands” to the patibulum. The Greek meaning of “hands” includes the wrist. It is more likely that the nails went through Jesus’ wrists. If the nails were driven into the hand, the weight of the arms would cause the nail to rip through the soft esh.

Therefore, the upper body would not be held to the cross. If placed in the wrist, the bones in the lower portion of the hand support the weight of the arms and the body remains nailed to the cross. The huge nail (seven to nine inches long) damages or severs the major nerve to the hand (the median nerve) upon impact. This causes continuous agonizing pain up both of Jesus’ arms.

Once the victim is secured, the guards lift the patibulum and place it on the stipes already in the ground. As it is lifted, Jesus’ full weight pulls down on His nailed wrists and His shoulders and elbows dislocate (Psalm 22:14). In this position, Jesus’ arms stretch to a minimum of six inches longer than their original length.

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It is highly likely that Jesus’ feet were nailed through the tops as often pictured. In this position (with the knees exed at approximately 90 degrees), the weight of the body pushes down on the nails and the ankles support the weight. The nails would not rip through the soft

tissue as would have occurred with the hands. Again, the nail would cause severe nerve damage (it severs the dorsal pedal artery of the foot) and acute pain.

Normally, to breathe in, the diaphragm (the large muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity) must move down. This enlarges the chest cavity and air automatically moves into the lungs (inhalation). To exhale, the diaphragm rises up, which compresses the air in the lungs and forces the air out (exhalation). As Jesus hangs on the cross, the weight of His body pulls down on the diaphragm and the air moves into His lungs and remains there. Jesus must push up on His nailed feet (causing more pain) to exhale.

In order to speak, air must pass over the vocal cords during exhalation.

The Gospels note that Jesus spoke seven times from the cross. It is amazing that despite His pain, He pushes up to say “Forgive them” (Luke 23:34).

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The dif culty surrounding exhalation leads to a slow form of suffocation. Carbon dioxide builds up in the blood, resulting in a high level of carbonic acid in the blood. The body responds instinctively, triggering the desire to breathe. At the same time, the heart beats faster to circulate available oxygen. The decreased oxygen (due to the dif culty in exhaling) causes damage to the tissues and the capillaries begin leaking watery uid from the blood into the tissues. This results in a build-up of uid around the heart (pericardial effusion) and lungs (pleural effusion). The collapsing lungs, failing heart, dehydration, and the inability to get suf cient oxygen to the tissues essentially suffocate the victim. The decreased oxygen also damages the heart itself (myocardial infarction) which leads to cardiac arrest. In severe cases of cardiac stress, the heart can even burst, a process known as cardiac rupture. Jesus most likely died of a heart attack.

OPENING CALL TO PRAYER Bro Larry Danko SONG: AT CALVARY 465 THE VISION OF THE CROSS Bro David Allen Resounding throughout the universe transcending time and space Is the greatest shout of victory heard by the human race.

From the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ came that tremendous cry 'It is nished' was His shout as He laid down His life to die.

All Scripture has been ful lled and the prophecy's now complete As the One of whom all prophets speak held Satan in defeat.

The battle has been won by Him, the Immortal God who died His precious blood has owed for sin and the law is satis ed.

How vast the ransom He has paid for no work was left undone The gate to heaven opened wide by God's One and Only Son. Humankind has been redeemed and the full price for sin is paid The shame and suffering are over, atonement has been made.

My Lord and my Love is cruci ed the sinner’s faithful friend The Alpha and Omega is the Beginning and the End. His perfect life sacri ced to pay the dreadful price for sins The Age of Law ends at the cross as the Age of Grace begins.

The great battle is over and man’s redemption has been won No more need for types and shadows for the will of God is done.

Satan has been defeated by Jesus Christ the cruci ed The sting of death is vanquished as the grave bursts open wide.

--Roy Allen

SONG: THE OLD RUGGED CROSS 87 MORE ABOUT JESUS 326 NEAR THE CROSS 83 THE BLOOD WILL NEVERE LOOSE IT’S POWER

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SONG: Sis Angel McNabb HAD IT NOT BEEN

Feeling unworthy to participate in the Lord's Supper is what remembering the sacri ce of our Lord on the Cross. When we recognize the body of the Lord, we see his grace applied to our unworthiness; when we faithfully examine ourselves in light of this unworthiness, we are not condemned, but forgiven.

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,

That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come” (1Co 11-26), “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro 5:7-8).

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“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1Co 11:23-31).

When we come to the Lord’s Supper, we should rst look to ourselves and then look to Christ.

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In the Jewish Passover, there were four cups (some say three) during the meal.

Luke records probably the rst and third cups. The rst cup was accompanied by the prayer, “Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, who has created the fruit of the vine.” It was a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision and salvation, as pictured in all that followed. Jesus introduced it by saying, for the second time, that this would be the last time He would partake of this celebration until it is ful lled in the kingdom of God. The second cup followed the explanation for why the day was celebrated and the singing of Hallelujah Psalms. Then came the meal itself. Jesus gave thanks again for the bread, and here He reinterpreted the elements of the Passover by showing that they pointed toward His impending death. He instructed them that in the future, they should do this in remembrance of Him.

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