I always become very humbled this time of year, as we approach the Friday before Easter Sunday and I ponder the events leading up to our savior’s death, burial, and resurrection. The 2004 movie The Passion of the Christ depicts what might be a very real story of the torturous events in Jesus’ final hours, lending some insight into the methods of flogging and crucifying.
We have no doubt that Jesus was God in a man’s body; having been subjected to betrayal, then while suffering in a manner that very few of us can possibly imagine and while hanging on that cruel cross within view of his mother amongst several of his closest friends, Jesus asked his father in Heaven to forgive his persecutors!
The sponge soaked in the diluted vinegar mixture on hand was expected to deaden pain, and stated to have been the 2nd time it was offered to him. Jesus accepted the drink this time after refusing it when originally offered at the beginning of his crucifixion, possibly because he wanted absolutely nothing to interfere with his senses while experiencing the most agonizingly painful of deaths, then after taking drink from it, he died. Prophecy was immediately fulfilled.
Jesus’ body was then prepared by two followers for a burial fit for the Jewish elite. Their own safety had been at risk due to any involvement with Jesus, yet they placed him in a new tomb in a garden that was close to the crucifixion site.
I visualize our savior Jesus being born in a manger of humblest beginnings later being hailed as and laid to rest as the King of Kings. Witnesses at the time could only capture the events and share the events as they unfolded. Who could believe that we celebrate his birth and rejoice in the blessings from his ultimate sacrifice in death nearly 2000 years later! What an honor to call ourselves Christians!!!
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.