"Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others-one on each side and Jesus in the middle."
-John 19: 16-18

The Price He Paid

Jesus was condemned to die by the Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. It was the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus killed by they had no authority to do so, since they were under Roman rule. The Roman method of execution, crucifixion, was designed for maximum suffering both physical and mental. While hanging on the cross, often in extreme heat, the 'criminal' would slowly die a death of suffocation as the weight of their body would eventually press in on their lungs. Adding to the suffering was the dehydration the body would go through as it was exposed to the harsh environment. Sometimes, in order to speed up the process of crucifixion (which could last for hours), Roman soldiers would break the bones in the legs of the condemned or run them through with a sword. Crucifixion was a very public form of execution designed not only to torment those sentenced to die but also to make a statement to all others about what would happen to them if they broke Roman law. Can you imagine the mental and emotional suffering of those, like Jesus' mother, who watched their loved ones die in this way? Can you imagine the excruciating pain suffered by those who were executed by crucifixion? Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Couldn't God have found some other way for us to be saved? Why was crucifixion the price that had to be paid?

The answer to those questions can be found in Romans 3: 25-26 (read them below). Our God is a holy, just God. He cannot tolerate sin. Yet He is also a loving, forgiving God. He wants to show His people mercy. But of what worth is mercy if there is no punishment for sin? For example, how can you have justice is there is no price to be paid for wrongdoing? The fact is that there can be no mercy (grace) without justice. The price for our sin is greater than any of us could bear to pay. Yet the price still has to be paid. How? By the sacrifice of God's own Son. "...he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3: 26) Crucifixion is a terrible way to die. But God sent His only Son to die in this way for us because of His great love for us. That puts great meaning to John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world..." And what about Jesus and His willingness to die in this way? "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15 : 13) We all have a 'debt' to pay for our sins but through our faith in Jesus Christ...He will pay the price for us! Thank you Lord!

There is always a struggle within me to be the man that God has created me to be...and the man that I actually am. I offer to you this prayer. "Lord, I thank you for paying my debts that I cannot pay myself. Thank you Lord for freeing me from the consequences of my sin and for calling me to righteousness. I know the weaknesses that are within me but I praise You, Lord, for focusing on my strengths and for Your continual renewal of my mind. I praise You, Lord, for your faithfulness to me. Lord I ask you to help me to be the man you have created me to be. I love you, Lord. Amen."

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that things are well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
-Romans 3: 25-26

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