But we preach Christ crucified. 1 Corinthians 1:23
Jesus is Christ Crucified, the Jewish Messiah who was executed by the Romans on a cross. The Jewish leaders sent Him to be tried in a Roman court. When Pilate wanted to release Jesus, the people in the crowd cried out, “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21). It was then that the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross and crucified Him. Six hours later, He died. When the Jewish leaders asked Rome to crucify Jesus, they actively rejected Him as their Messiah; yet Jesus died for them and for the world.
Jesus, Your pain was my gain. You died for my sin so that I might be forgiven. While I’m horrified by the thought of crucifixion, I worship You for being my Sin Bearer.
Being crucified did not catch Jesus by surprise. He came into the world to die for the world. The Old Testament predicted His crucifixion: “He who is hanged [on a tree] is accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Jesus’ death was necessary for Him to be “made a curse” for our sin (Galatians 3:13). When the curse was lifted from us, we were forgiven, we were free from punishment, we were acceptable to the Father. Christ was crucified for us.
Jesus, thank You for the ultimate sacrifice. I will live, because You died. I will escape the judgment of Hell, because You suffered my judgment. I will live forever with the Father in Heaven, because You left the Father to come to Earth to suffer rejection and crucifixion for me. Amen.
Christ was crucified for me.
