Crucifixion is one of the most horrendous devices known to man to kill another.  It was not known in the days of King David or to the prophet Isaiah.  Yet God used these two men, who did not know each other, who never met because they did not live at the same time.  These two men prophesied of the actualities of what happens to the body when being crucified.  (Psalm 22 – written by King David; and Isaiah 53 – written by Isaiah)   

  After the sentence of crucifixion was determined by Governor Pilate; Jesus, carrying His own cross and He went to the Place of the Skull where He would be crucified.  A placard was placed above the head of Jesus after He was nailed to the cross by His hands and feet.  That sign said: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:17-19)

  The soldiers hunkered down at the foot of the cross of Jesus and gambled for His clothing…again prophecy was being fulfilled. (John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:18)

  Repeatedly throughout that day from 9am to 3pm – prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus hung on that cross.  He was taking your sins and mine on Himself…as if they were His.  He was suffering the judgment of God for our sins.  He was overcoming Satan and death.  No one, absolutely no one else has ever done that!  Indeed, they cannot for only God could have done that!

  When anyone, this includes you and me, when anyone refuses, rejects, ignores or makes light of what Jesus did for us on the cross we are rejecting the costliness of salvation given to us by God’s mercy and grace.

  At the end of this gruesome time, Jesus said, “I am thirsty”.  He had one more thing to utter and He needed His parched mouth moistened to proclaim with victory:
“It is finished!”  Then, and only then, did He die.  He was not murdered, He was not a martyr; He was the Son of God who had come into the world to die…on that cross…for you and me.  He fulfilled all, all prophecy of Messiah’s first advent.  (John 19:31-37)

  The crucifixion of Jesus is the pivotal point in history for all peoples.  Whether you have chosen to believe that He is the Savior, sent to die for you or not…He did!

  The end of the story happened on the first day of the week.  He had died on the cross, had been buried in a new and borrowed tomb (again prophecies were fulfilled) then Sunday morning came.  The dawn of a new day and our Savior was resurrected from that slab of stone.  (Luke 23:50-53; Luke 24:1-8)

  From crucifixion to resurrection – Jesus is the Victor over sin, Satan and death.

And all God’s people shout “Hallelujah” and “Amen”!