NAILED TO THE CROSS

Jesus and the two thieves arrived at the place where they were to be crucified. Jesus and the thieves were tied to their crosses. The two thieves struggled with the soldiers who stretched them upon the crosses. But Jesus did not resist. Jesus' mother watched in deep sorrow, hoping that Jesus would work a miracle to save Himself. She saw His hands stretched upon the cross. Jesus' dear hands had always brought blessings. His hands had reached out many times to heal suffering people. Now the hammer and nails were brought. The nails were driven through Jesus' tender flesh and fastened to the cross. As Jesus was nailed to the cross, the heartbroken disciples took the fainting mother of Jesus from the cruel scene.SRme 1.969

Jesus did not complain. His face was pale and calm, but great drops of sweat stood out on His forehead. No pitying hands wiped the sweat from Jesus' face. He heard no words of mercy. He heard no loyal words to comfort His human heart. Jesus suffered alone.SRme 1.970

While the soldiers were doing their fearful work and Jesus was suffering terrible agony, Jesus prayed for His enemies. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:24). Jesus' prayer for His enemies included the whole world. Jesus was praying for every sinner who would live, until the end of time.SRme 1.971

After Jesus was nailed to the cross, the cross was lifted by strong men. Then the men dropped the cross roughly into a hole, causing Jesus great pain.SRme 1.972

The behavior of the leaders was terrible. Priests, rulers, and scribes forgot that they had been chosen for sacred work. These men joined the crowd in making fun of the dying Son of God, and laughing at Him. The priests and rulers said, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" (Luke 23:37, RSV). Some of the priests rudely said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save" (Mark 15:31).SRme 1.973

Leaders of the temple, hardened soldiers, the wicked thief on the cross, and the evil and cruel people all in insulted Christ.SRme 1.974

The thieves who were crucified with Jesus suffered the same as Jesus. The pain made one thief more hard and rebellious. He spoke as rudely as the priests did to Jesus, saying, "Aren't You the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39, NIV).SRme 1.975

The other thief was not a hardened criminal. When he heard his fellow thief's insulting words, he asked, "'Don't you fear God? You received the same punishment He did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but He has done no wrong'" (Luke 23:40, 41).SRme 1.976

As this thief felt love and sympathy for Jesus, heavenly understanding came into his mind. In the wounded, suffering Jesus on the cross the thief saw his Saviour--his only hope. The thief asked in humble faith, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your Kingdom."SRme 1.977

Jesus answered quickly with compassion and love: "Truly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).*SRme 1.978

The angels were amazed as they saw the depths of the love of Jesus. Jesus was suffering the greatest agony of mind and body, but He thought only of others. Jesus encouraged the thief to believe. Jesus showed a love for people that is stronger than death. Many of the people who saw what happened at the cross later became strong believers in Jesus because of what they saw.SRme 1.979

Jesus' enemies were eagerly waiting for Jesus to die. They thought Jesus' death would stop forever all talk of His divine power and His miracles. These enemies were happy thinking that they would not have to worry about Jesus' influence any more.SRme 1.980

The heartless [no pity] soldiers who had nailed Jesus to the cross divided His clothes among themselves. They argued about who would get His robe that had been made all in one piece. Finally the soldiers decided to throw dice to decide who would get this piece of clothing. This scene had been correctly described hundreds of years before it happened:SRme 1.981

"A gang of evil men is around me;SRme 1.982

like a pack of dogs they close in on me;SRme 1.983

*By placing the comma after the word today, instead of after the word thee, as in the common versions, the true meaning of the text is more apparent.SRme 1.984

they tear at my hands and feet. . . .SRme 1.985

They gamble for my clothesSRme 1.986

and divide them among themselves" (Ps 22:16, 18).SRme 1.987