Crucifixion: Roman Execution Method and Christ's Redemptive Sacrifice on the Cross

A brutal form of capital punishment practiced by ancient civilizations, most notably the Roman Empire, involving the suspension of a victim's body upon a wooden cross or stake. This method, designed to maximize suffering and public humiliation, became the instrument through which Jesus Christ accomplished His redemptive work for humanity. The crucifixion represents both the physical agony endured by Christ and the spiritual reality of believers dying to self and being united with Him in His death and resurrection.

Historical Context

Crucifixion originated among ancient civilizations before being perfected by the Romans as their preferred method for executing non-citizens, slaves, and political rebels. This barbaric practice involved the victim's naked body being nailed and tied at the wrists and ankles to a wooden cross, which was then stood upright in the ground with the victim painfully suspended in the air. The process was designed to prolong suffering, with death ultimately occurring through suffocation as the victim exhausted their strength to maintain breathing. To hasten death, Roman soldiers sometimes broke the victim's legs, preventing them from raising themselves up by their feet to breathe. The excruciating nature of crucifixion, combined with its public display, served as both punishment and deterrent to potential criminals and rebels against Roman authority.

Christ's Sacrifice

Jesus experienced such a death as a substitute for us, taking the penalty for our sin that we might be set free (1 Pet 3:18). All four gospels recount the story of Christ's crucifixion (Mt 27:32-56; Mk 15:20-41; Lk 23:26-49; Jn 19:16-37). Jesus was crucified at 9am and died around 3pm. While the Bible does not explicitly specify the precise date of His crucifixion, scholars and astronomical timeframes give evidence it likely to have been early April, AD 33. While it is not important to even know the day of the week it is important that He did die and that He physically rose from the dead having paid the price for the sins of humanity (Jn 3:16; 1 Cor 15:14-20; 1 Pet 3:18; 1 Jn 5:11).

In love Jesus experienced this for us

Spiritual Significance

The cross is where our sinful nature is crucified, there is no place for negotiation as the symbolic putting to death is the only solution for our evil, sinful, earthly self-nature. The altar however, is where we surrender our legitimate desires knowing full well that God has the say whether these sacrifices are 'consumed' or if they are returned to us.

We have to figuratively put the nails into our own fleshly nature – "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24). It is something we have to do. Crucifixion is always slow and painful – there is no quick painless method. This 'death' to the old life of sin is symbolized by baptism; as we live out that confession, sins hold over the old life is broken and we are no longer slaves to sin (Rom 6:3-4,6; Gal 6:14). Am I walking the crucified path, putting to death the desires of my natural sinful self or am I holding out for my rights?

Am I more 'dead' to the world now than I was yesterday?

To "crucify Christ again" is to bring shame and disgrace upon Him by utterly rejecting His claims to be the son of God as was the case of those who actually crucified Him (Heb 6:6).

Reflection and Application:

Consider the physical reality of crucifixion and what it cost Christ to bear this for you
Examine areas in your life where you need to "crucify" the sinful nature
Reflect on whether you are progressively becoming more "dead to the world" and alive to Christ
Contemplate the significance of baptism as a symbol of dying to the old life