Tag: Crucifixion

Jesus Did Not Just Die, He was Crushed

This morning I was reminded through God’s Word that Jesus did not just die for my sins and for the sins of the world. HE WAS CRUSHED.

“10Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”

— Isaiah 53:10 (ESV)

I often think that the weight of the death of Jesus is minimized. I am not sure that we carry the with us the shear brutality that was His death. I think that there may be a sensationalism and “martyrdom” that is brought out.

You see, Jesus did not just die, He was completely destroyed. Take His crucifying. Jesus was not just killed, He was not just put to death, He was nailed to a cross. He endured all the flogging, the carrying of the cross to the crucifixion site. He was crowned with a crown of thorns. He was stabbed with a spear.

Jesus could have been killed any number of ways. Yet, He was allowed by God the Father to die is such a gruesome manner. He was “crushed”. And for what? So that you and I did not have to die the same way.

Remember, the penalty of sin is the wrath of God. And think of that word, “wrath”. According to Merriam-Webster Online, wrath is “1 : strong vengeful anger or indignation 2 : retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement”. Wrath is not just simple payback in kind. It is carrying out with anger and vengeance. It is gruesome and messy. It is awful. It is the worst of the worst.

The LORD allowed for Jesus’ death to be messy and gruesome and awful. He died in the way that was meant for me. He was crushed so that I did not have to be. He was not a martyr and it was not sensational. He was crushed not as an example for me, but in my place.

What is your view of Jesus’ death? Do you see it as some sort of example or martyrdom? What if you saw it as it was, gruesome and messy, as substitution for the death that you deserve and should have received?

Shed Blood for Forgiveness

Jesus died for me. And you. And ALL.

I know, this is something that we should know, especially those of us who have been exposed to the gospel. It is at the heart of the gospel that He died so that we would not have to die as payment for our sins. This morning I was reminded of more at the heart of the gospel in that Jesus did not just die for my sins, he bled out for the forgiveness of those sins.

“26Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ 27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’” — Matthew 26:26-29 (ESV)

I have placed all of the verses titled the “Institution of the Lord’s Supper” from my English Standard Version bible. I believe it gives the full context of the moment and the words of Jesus. And as I know the full text is important, for the purpose of this morning I am focused on verses 27 and 28 and Jesus’ reference to the cup and blood.

Jesus did die for me and you and ALL. What I want to be sure and reference here is that He did not just die, His blood was spilled or “poured out” as in the words of Jesus. When I think of pouring out, I see the full volume of the vessels contents draining from the vessel itself. Jesus did not just pass from this world, He did so in a violent and vile manner.

I know that in the above passage, Jesus had yet to die, yet He was informing His disciples of the reality of what was going to happen. He was letting them know that what was about to happen was not going to be a calm and lovely teaching moment as this supper was. It was not going to be pleasant, yet is was required and Jesus knew the cost and wanted them to know that it was all okay.

I am sad that Jesus had to die and in such a violent manner. I am sad that He “poured out” His blood so that I did not have to. I am sad that I am a sinner that caused this to happen. Yet, on the contrary, I am glad that Jesus loves me so much that He was willing to die for me. I am glad that He was willing to pour out His blood so that I did not have to. I am glad that even as a sinner, Jesus loves me so much even now that He would do it all over again to ensure that I would be able to live out my life in forgiveness of those sins.

What is your version of the death of Jesus in your mind? Do you even think of the violent nature and His “poured out” blood? What if you looked closer and realized the vile and violent nature of His death and the “poured out” blood for the forgiveness of your sins (past, present, and future)?