Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - CRUCIFIXION

CRUCIFIXION

    Crucifixion was a method of capital punishment used by a number of cultures in antiquity; primarily the Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans. The latter are the peoples for whom this method of punishment is the most widely known, primarily because it was the method by which Christ suffered and died.

Crucifixion was a particularly cruel type of punishment; a person essentially died from suffocation because of the way in which they were suspended. But it was also noted for three other aspects.

First. It was an individual punishment. It was done to each, one at a time; no mass executions as by means of gas or poison. Each individual suffered as an individual.

Second. It was painful, excruciatingly so, and often prolonged. Crucification was one of the most painful means of execution known to man and, in fact, it is from the word crucification that the word excruciate has been derived.

Third. It was permanent. Essentially few, if any, at all survived crucifixion especially during the times of the Romans, where specially trained solders were used to ensure that each one was dead before coming off the cross.

Now we are told in the Bible that we are to:

Go your way…take up the cross and follow me [Jesus]. 

(Mark 10:21)

We are also told that:

 

…our old man was crucified with Him… 

(Romans 6:6)

and that 

…those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh… 

(Galatians 5:24)

Indicating that something very definitive has happened when we compare our following Christ to that of one bring crucified.  And, in fact there are similarities in some aspects.

First. Following Christ is an individual decision. No one can make it for you or stand in your place. It is a choice that each must make for themselves and even God Himself will not force it upon you. Each person stands or falls alone.

Second. It may be a painful choice in that old friends, old haunts, old practices have to be abandoned. It is a short lived pain, if at all, for the benefits soon start too far outweigh any initial discomfort that may be felt. But following Christ is not without its’ difficulties for the Bible tells that:

…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

(2 Timothy 3:12)

Remember…if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… 

(John 15:20)

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 

(1 John 3:13)

Third. If one does decide to take up their cross and follow Christ it should be considered a permanent decision. For it states in Hebrews:

…it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, 

and have tasted the heavenly gift, 

and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 

and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 

if they fall away, to renew themselves again to repentance, 

since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, 

and put Him to an open shame. 

(Hebrews 6:4-6)

So, in following Christ, there are similarities, at least in thought if not in action, of picking up ones’ cross and the actual crucifixion. But it also has to be remembered that, in any case, it is actually Christ’s cross we carry and even then the lighter end. Christ still carries most of the burden for us.

And that in turn should give us something to think about.