Easter offers an odd dichotomy for Christians: horrible pain and transcendent celebration, overbearing weight and jubilant joy , total depravity and complete grace.
Today is Good Friday. The term “Good Friday” is such a misnomer… “Good Friday” = The Brutally Bloody, Grotesque & Definitive Physical Murder of Jesus Christ. The reason it matters and that it is “good” is because of Glorious Sunday, when Jesus Sat Up.
In contemplative observance of “Good Friday”, I thought I would post a few videos and resources that provide various perspectives on Jesus’ crucifixion.
Make sure to read the followup post to this: Jesus Sat Up
The Biblical Depiction of Crucifixion
The Bible, as the divinely inspired Word of God, provides the most important perspective and account of Jesus’ murder. Each of the Gospels in the Bible offer an account of Jesus’ crucifixion: Matthew 27, Mark 15, John 19, Luke 23.
From John 19:17-37:
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
The Death of Jesus
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said ( to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness— his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth— that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
A Medical Perspective on Crucifixion
Below is an interesting and compelling video from a trauma surgeon on the medical perspectives on and implications of crucifixion.
A Visual Depiction of Jesus’ Barbarous Crucifixion
There are a few historical inaccuracies in the depiction of Jesus’ murder in the movie “The Passion”. Nonetheless, it lucidly depicts the inhumane and savage crucifixion Jesus endured for you and me.
This brings me to violent tears and makes me want to vomit.
Historical, Social & Cultural Perspectives: How Jesus Died
The sermon below from Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle provides cultural, social, historical and scriptural perspectives and details on the crucifixion.
