Jesus Was Crucified the Crucifixion

¶ … Jesus was Crucified

The crucifixion of Jesus was the result of many dynamics occurring at the same time. When we look at it in detail, we see a political reason coupled with spiritual reasons. On the surface, we can know that Jesus was crucified to fulfill the promise of God; it was simply something that needed to happen. Jesus was the Son of God and it was his mission in life to die for the sins of all who believe in him because it is written that he is the only way to get to God. This is the truth for every Christian and it is the foundation of Christian thought. This is a simplistic view of the reasons behind Jesus' crucifixion because there are underlying reasons that lead up to the event that are significant. As with most historical events, political motivations are involved, adding to the complexity of the situation. From a political perspective, Jesus was crucified because he was declaring that he was the way to God and because he was surrounded by angry Jews that wanted more than anything to stop him from spreading his message. Jesus was also crucified because when we see the agony he went through willfully, we become more aware of his love for us.

Politically, the crucifixion was an easy solution to a growing problem T.A. Bryant asserts that crucifixion was seen as "mode of punishment used extensively by Rome for criminals, runaway slaves and rebels" (Bryant 153). It was regarded as the most horrible form of death, and to a Jew it would acquire greater horror from the curse in Deuteronomy" (153). Jesus was crucified because he agreed with Pilate's assertion that he was "King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:11). It is important to note that Jesus was not a criminal. Pilate was very aware of this fact but had little he could do with the mob mentality of those angry Jews that surrounded him. He tried to let Jesus go by offering Barabas to the people but they had their eyes on Jesus and had no intention of letting him go free. The Jews did not like what Jesus had to say and they simply wanted to be rid of him forever. What Jesus said made them uncomfortable and it went against their belief system. The mob scene was too great for Pilate to control and though he knew there was no real crime committed on the part of Jesus, he could not stand against the crowd that was so thirsty for blood. Pilate technically washed his hands of Jesus by offering him to the crowd, who wanted nothing short of a killing. Since Pilate left it up to the crowd, they decided to punish Jesus in the most brutal fashion they could find. Had crucifixion not been popular, it probably would have been the chosen form of death simply because of its cruel nature and the desire of the Jews to punish mercilessly. There is no doubt that they wanted Jesus to pay for what he said and the trouble he caused.

Religiously, the crucifixion was a sacrifice. Adela Collins observes that Jesus' crucifixion and death were sacrificial, noting that when Jesus "pronounces over the cup in Mark 14:24 makes clear that the author of Mark inherited a tradition about the sacrificial death of Jesus" (Collins 195). In addition to this, the notion that Jesus would lay down his life for others illustrates that Mark "affirmed that Jesus' death was effective in a powerful way that benefited others" (195). Alice Camille agrees, noting that when Jesus tells the others, "It is finished" (John 19:30), he is reinforcing the notion that the sacrifice has been made. Camille points out that this death is "no helpless surrender, but a deliberate action, freely chosen" (Camille). Because the words were spoken from the cross, they have the "power to create reality" (Camille). Up until this point in history, the word was the word and with this symbolic death, it becomes something tangible that people can associate with Jesus' mission. In addition, we know that the crucifixion needed to occur because it fulfills prophecy. The Bible says, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7) and "it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand" (Isaiah 53:10). According the Bible, Jesus had to die to bring God and man together. It is also worth considering that Jesus was crucified to reveal the very terrible debt he paid. He suffered not just a physical death; by presenting us with such a terrible image of his death, we can also see the spiritual death that occurred. We see the agony, the blood, the mockery, and the pain that Jesus experienced not simply for being Jesus but for taking on our sin. It was not quick and painless - just the opposite, in fact. Imagining the suffering forces us to realize the price that has been paid. The reason becomes more compelling when must realize the incredible agony that took place on our behalf.