Title: Why was Crucifixion the Passion of the Romans?
Text: Galatians 2:20
Three men participating in army war games were hit with paint pellets, which were fired at them by their opponents. According to the rules of the war games they were legally dead and no longer permitted to participate.
The general’s Jeep got stuck and he insisted that they push it out of the mud for him.
They said, "we can’t. We’re dead."
The General told his driver, "Go get some of those dead bodies over there and put them under these tires so we can get some traction."
They got up and helped the General get his jeep out of the mud.
When we consider the crucifixion the question arises, why did it have to be so cruel? After seeing The Passion of the Christ, I realized the movie possibly did not portray the cruelty far enough. But a question that is in my mind is, Why did the Romans enjoy crucifixion so much?
Last week, if you remember, we learned that the Greek and Latin word for passion means suffering and yet we use the word passion meaning our desires. Why was the crucifixion the desire and the suffering of the Romans and why should crucifixion be both our desire and suffering? First lets consider why…
1. The crucifixion was the desire of the Romans
Crucifixion is brutal. Meant to deter crime and punish the criminal, crucifixion was a form of capital punishment that stated loudly its intentions.
Several people have asked me after seeing The Passion of the Christ, if the scourging was really that brutal. Yes, and maybe more so. The purpose of the beating was two fold: First, to prepare the body for death, so that the criminal would not take so long to die on the cross and second, make the body weak so the criminal would not fight so much while being nailed to the cross. The “cat of 9 tails”, the leather straps, were designed to lash completely around the body and tear the flesh. So after a scourging, the skin from the neck down to the knees would be ripped and the flesh laid bare.
Crucifixion was the cruelest form of capital punishment in the history of man. It was a slow, very painful death that ended in suffocation.
While in intense pain, the lungs would slowly fill with fluid. The criminal would have to push up, rubbing the raw skin on the wood of the cross, placing all of their weight on the nail that went through the Achilles tendon. And eventually they would either not have the strength to push up, or their lungs would fill and suffocation would occur. Basically they would drown in their own body fluid. Cruelty and inflicting excruciating pain was the purpose of the Romans.
If you compare lethal injection, the electric chair, the gas chamber, hanging, firing squads, being fed to the lions or burned at the stake, nothing compares to the excruciating pain, agony and endurance of crucifixion. Crucifixion wasn’t just capital punishment, it was torture.
So why were the Romans so intense with this form of punishment? Crucifixion did exactly what they intended. It represented who they were; a nation with complete domination and humiliation, who were in control at all times. The soldiers and executioners learned to enjoy the tormenting and viciousness they forced on their victims. They loved domination. It was a deterrent to crime because it said, “if you do the crime under our watch, this is what we are going to do to you!” It was the ultimate intimidation. Their entire culture was built on intimidation and control and at this time in history, control was needed to keep these emotionally high, religious fanatics in Jerusalem in line.
The most important question of the twenty-first century is: Why did Jesus Christ suffer so much? He was perfect, was he not? Peter wrote of Him, 1 Peter 3:18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous.
And we find in Romans 5:6
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
But we will never understand the cruelty of the cross if we fail to go beyond human cause. Paul wrote; Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Yes it was because of our sin that Jesus suffered so much brutality, however, the ultimate answer to the question, who crucified Jesus, is not the manipulation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, or the passion of the Romans, the answer to who crucified Jesus is not even, “Us” or Me. Who crucified Jesus? (long pause) God did. It is a staggering thought. Jesus was His Son. And the suffering was unsurpassed. But the whole message of the Bible leads to this conclusion and hinges on this answer.
The Hebrew prophet Isaiah said, “it was the LORD’S will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10). The New Testament says, “He (God) who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Romans 3:25). Later in Romans Paul would write; “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood” (Romans 8:32).
But how does this divine act relate to the horribly sinful actions of the men who killed Jesus? The answer given in the Bible is expressed in an early prayer:
Acts 4:27-28
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
The depth and scope of this divine sovereignty takes our breath away. But it is also the key to our salvation. God planned this crucifixion, and by the means of wicked men, great good has come to the world. How ironic! To paraphrase a word of the Jewish Torah: They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (Gen. 50:20).
The central issue of Jesus’ death is not the cause, but the purpose – the meaning. Man may have his reason for wanting Jesus out of the way. But only God can design it for the good of the world. In fact, God’s purposes for the world in the death of Jesus are unfathomable
Yes, the crucifixion was the desire of the Romans, but also …
2. The crucifixion was the suffering of the Romans
During any religious feast in Jerusalem the crowds multiplied from 250,000 to sometimes over a million people strong within the city. Naturally tensions run high in crowds. But the tensions on this Passover increase because there is man who claims to be the Messiah. Add to that the constant friction between the Jews and their domineering oppressors, the Romans and you have the over zealousness of a Judas, the jealousy of some Jewish leaders, and the fear of losing control of a Pilate.
A. Pilate and his wife
Think about Pilate. He was the Roman representative. He was known for his cruelty. He was called to see Caesar, perhaps because he couldn’t contain these disturbances very well. They tended to get out of hand, never more so than during Passover week.
Some scholars believe that Pilate was called into question by Caesar because of being too cruel. In any case the complexity of issues in an overcrowded city with emotional religious fanatics only created more difficulty. With Caesar in Rome looking at Jerusalem and the Jews screaming about a religious fanatic from Nazareth, Pilate, even in all of his cruelty finds himself in a difficult position. What can he do? What should he do?
Listen to what happens and keep in mind that he is a cruel man.
Luke 23:4
Then Pilate announced, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."
Luke 23:13-16
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, [14] and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. [15] Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. [16] Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."
Pilate admits that Jesus is innocent, but offers to punish him hoping it will appease the ensuing riot.
Listen carefully to the words from Luke 23:20-24
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. [21] But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" [22] For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." [23] But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. [24] So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
Did you catch that? For the third time he speaks to them. This guy that is so brutal, that has established himself as governor in a tumultuous time, can’t find any good reason to put Jesus to death.
Matthew provides more information 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
Why did Pilate wash his hands? Why would this cruel man proclaim Jesus innocent? Was it because Rome had previously warned Pilate about his actions? No, I think that is why he gave Jesus over to be crucified.
Do you remember the manipulative words of the crowd? If you let him go you are no friend of Caesar. They were trying, successfully, to force his hand.
But when Pilate looked into the face of Jesus he realized that Jesus was innocent. He saw something that told him that the crowd was wrong.
But as if that is not enough, Pilate’s wife sends him word. His wife, some think her name was Claudia, is disturbed by a dream she has concerning Jesus.
Matthew reports the details 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
So the power, that was the passion of Pilate, also becomes his suffering. History tells us that even though he washed his hands, Pilate never resolved this decision. He washed his hands, but they just didn’t seem to come clean. But history also says that his wife became a Christian. For her the cross became a passion that led to life. Same event. Same person. Two different responses. Pilate had the passion of suffering as a result. His wife had the passion of life.
But they weren’t the only ones from Rome who were affected by this particular crucifixion..
B. The Roman Centurion
It was common for Romans to assign a centurion to a crucifixion. This was to keep the peace (so nothing would happen with the crowd) and to make sure that the criminal died. I think it is safe to say that the centurion at the crucifixion of Jesus had seen several, hundreds. Knowing how hostile the crowd was and the time of year, it is doubtful that they would have assigned a new guy to this crucifixion. This man had probably witnessed the beating. He had certainly been a part of the procession through the streets to Golgotha. He had seen Jesus when they drove the nails into His hands and feet. He witnesses everything that happens. But for him, it was just another day at the office. Nothing new. Crucify the criminal and get home to the wife and kids. He had been through it before. I would imagine that he had grown numb to crucifixions. But as this hard Roman soldier sees the events unfold, this time he arrives at his own judgment.
Luke 23:47
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
He praised God and declared Jesus righteous. Do you realize what that says? This hardened soldier saw something different in Jesus.
We don’t know if this soldier was forever changed but we do know he was changed for a moment that day. Yet as Christians, the brutality of the crucifixion should transform us forever. If we desire to mature in Christ, then
3. Crucifixion must become our suffering and our desire
But why is crucifixion so difficult? Not, Christ’s crucifixion. It’s obvious that Jesus suffered excruciating physical pain through the crucifixion process. What I’m asking is, why is our crucifixion so difficult?
Listen closely to what Paul wrote; Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Have we really been crucified with Christ? If we think about the two meanings of passion…is crucifixion both our suffering and our desire?
We do not like it because we want Christianity to be easy, however, you and I are called to be crucified with Christ, not physically but emotionally and mentally. Jesus took away the physical punishment of sin and even the guilt of sin when he was crucified, but he did not eliminate putting to death the sin that is in control within our bodies.
Why is it so difficult to nail to the cross our habits of sin?
This is our…
A. Suffering
Why is it so hard? Think back a year ago at this time…did you have the same sins present in your life? Did you lust? Did you gossip? Were you impatient with your family? Why is it so tough to nail our lives to the cross? This is our suffering.
It seems on the night Jesus was betrayed that every sort of evil funneled down onto the streets of Jerusalem.
Judas’ Betrayal
The religious leaders’ jealousy and hatred
The lies and distortions of the false witnesses
Peter’s weakness and deceit
The mob mentality of the people in the crowd
Pilate’s cowardice
The sheer brutality of those who beat Him
The guards’ indifference
Mocking, taunting, spitting, beating, crucifying, stabbing, killing.
So what are you saying Dale? Sin controls human nature. And our sin forced God, who is so rich in mercy, to crucify His own Son. How much do we owe God for such a price?
We always want to know what is the least I have to do to get by? In other words; Can I get by without being crucified? Listen to these verses and then you tell me!
Romans 6:6
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Why did Jesus have to go through such a cruel, terrible death? Was it so we could live however we want? Was it so we wouldn’t have to do anything? Why is it so hard? Why is being a Christian so hard? Shouldn’t it be easier? Why do I have to suffer when Christ already suffered for me?
There are four levels of Christian growth:
1st Level - "A lot of me" and "A little of You, God"
This level says; "They don’t appreciate me. They don’t recognize me." This is the level that says, “I want God, but I don’t want too much of Him!” He can take the guilt and the blame, but that is about it.
2nd Level - "Some of me" and "Some of You, God"
"I’ll do this for you, God, if you do that for me." This is the level that is willing to cut a deal with God. “If you help me get my marriage back together, I will work for you.” “If you help me get this job, I’ll go to church more often.” “If you help me get an A on this test, I will study the next time!”
3rd Level - "A little of me" and "A lot of You, God"
This level is almost there. Almost everything has been crucified. But we hold some … a little back. "I’ve just got these few areas I can’t let go of."
4th Level - "None of me" and "All of You, God"
And that’s where John the Baptist found himself before his death. He knew he had to become less so Christ could become more. It is the level that says I am crucified with Christ.
Crucifixion, not in the physical sense but in our own desires, becomes our suffering because it is so difficult to nail our wants to the cross. We want what we want and we want Jesus too. If Christianity doesn’t make me feel good I wonder if some would still continue to practice Christianity?
Folks, until crucifixion is our desire then we are not living sacrifices. Paul states it clearly…in view of God’s mercy…offer your bodies as living sacrifices. Doesn’t that sound like, “I’ve been crucified with Christ?”
Crucifixion is the mature Christian’s…
B. Desire
Paul makes it clear that Christ was not crucified so you can live on easy street. He did not suffer so you can do as you please. He was not brutally beaten so you can have a license that permits you to think what you want, or behave however you please.
Listen to what Paul wrote; Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
The word passions means suffering, so this desire, this passion that we are challenged with is painful. As crucifixion became Christ’s desire, our own crucifixion must become our desire. There are four factors we are challenged to nail down as we consider this Christian life. The verse that precedes, Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
you know well…
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If we are going to be crucified with Christ and show in our lives an appreciation for the suffering He endured so we wouldn’t have to, here are four factors that must be nailed down in our lives.
1. The first factor, is Produce the fruits of the spirit
If you want to give evidence that you live for Christ all nine fruits of the spirit must be evident in you. We are not crucified with Christ until these areas are in control in our lives. You say, “Well I love.” But who have you loved lately? Have you loved those who don’t love you in return? Who have you loved who is unlovely? You say, “I’m good.” But Jesus said, “Luke 14:12-13
When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. [13] But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
Just how good are you? You say, “I have self-control…until you don’t get your way. If we are going to be crucified with Christ the fruits of the spirit have to be evident in our life.
Paul wrote later in Galatians; Galatians 6:14
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
2. The second factor is a proper perspective of this world.
Paul had nailed the world to him and he saw himself as nailed to the world. We are inseparable. The Christian and the world is the reality of life. We cannot separate the two. I cannot just disregard the world because then I will be ineffective in reaching people for Christ but I have to be different from the world while I’m in it without being such a fanatic that people don’t want anything to do with me. If you have never led someone to Christ you might just be out of balance. You either have too much of the world or too much religion. Somehow you must seriously consider the world and gain a proper handle on what your purpose as a Christian truly is in this world.
Paul wrote to the Romans; Romans 6:4-6
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. [5] If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
United with him in his death. United with Christ in the crucifixion?
3. The third factor is death to sin.
If we have crucified ourselves with Christ we are getting these sin issues in our lives nailed down. We will not want to be associated with sin nor will we be slaves to sin. Now hear me out…I’m not saying you’ll be perfect, flawless, but I am saying you will hate the sin in your life…from gluttony to gossip, from exaggeration to self-edification. You will not tolerate sin in your life.
But John gives us hope. 1 John 1:8-2:2
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. [2:1] My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; [2] and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Paul wrote to the church in Colossae,
Col. 2:13-14
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
4. The fourth factor is a handle on religion
When Paul wrote that Jesus canceled the written code and it’s regulations…he meant that Jesus nailed religion to the cross.
Jesus’ treatment was harsh, wouldn’t you agree? Don’t you agree that it was inhumane, brutal? Now don’t you think it is illogical that the Father God would allow His Son Jesus Christ to endure such harsh treatment just so you could practice a little religion?
It doesn’t make sense to me, the cruelty of the crucifixion just so you can go to church? The cruelty of the crucifixion so you can feel good or excited about your Christianity? The cruelty of the crucifixion so you can pretend you’re really committed just because you show up at a church building?
The cruelty of the cross demands everything we possess. Mere acknowledgement that Jesus did what he did is not enough. Satan and the demons acknowledge that Jesus died by crucifixion.
Jesus prayed that we might know the Father and the Son whom the father had sent. He preached that those cast out of his presence are those who do not know Him. If you have not been moved during communion lately, maybe you’re practicing religion instead of realizing that your best friend endured harsh treatment for you. If you haven’t sat at home in your chair recently, and while thinking about Jesus, kept thanking him over and over and over again for the crucifixion, maybe you don’t know Him yet.
You see if my best friend died, I would ache forever. I would miss them, long for them, think about them, remember them. Jesus was crucified for you. Paul thought about Jesus death often and I wonder while he was thinking about it one time if that is when he penned these words;
Romans 6:6
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
You have hope today because God crucified his son, because you sin so much. You can find peace today…because God nailed his Son to a cross, so he wouldn’t have to nail you there.
And just as Jesus humbly gave his life to crucifixion, he asks you to be a living sacrifice, to crucify your life to him, to do more than sound religious.
In the words of Paul, I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ, who lives in me.
Maybe we need to look in the mirror and ask ourselves a question…Just who is that living in me? It might just be yourself…But Jesus hopes that it is Him.
