When the word the cross is stated, the very focal point of history is stated. The OT points to it, the NT presents it, and the Christian proclaims it. Our salvation is summed up in the cross. A brief look at crucifixion provides a sobering view of the cross.
Without a doubt crucifixion was, the most cruel, the most disgraceful, barbaric, and excruciating form execution ever devised by the depravity of the human mind. It was the Persians creative invention to avoid defiling the ground, which they consecrated to their god Ormuzd. It was introduced to Egypt and Carthage by Alexander the Great. The Romans very likely picked it up from the Carthaginians and “perfected” it. It was especially set aside for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and the most vilest of criminals.
Although various cultures had specific practices, archaeological discoveries reveal that the Romans favored the “low Tau” cross which differed from the traditional shape. The “low Tau” cross resembled a “capital T,” with the upright post called the “stipes” and the crossbar called the “patibulum.” The patibulum alone weighed from seventy-five to one hundred pounds and was the portion which our Lord was forced to carry following the scourging which left him in an extremely weakened physical state.
At the site of the crucifixion, the stipes was set aside while the victim was thrown to the ground with his arms stretched out along the patibulum. Some cultures favored tying their victims, but the Romans preferred to use “nails,” which were actually tapered iron spikes approximately five to seven inches long and about three-eighths of an inch in diameter. Historical research reveal that the spikes were not nailed through palms of the hands (see word study on hand for clarification of alleged contradiction), which could never support the weight a man, but through the wrists resulting in an inconceivable degree of pain because the large median nerve would either be crushed or completely severed. The patibulum was then raised up onto the stipes and nails were hammered through the victim’s heels, which caused the bending of the knees and a rotation to one side as the victim’s wrist supported his full weight.
The most brutal part of all this was that the victim’s weight locked his intercostal muscles in the exhalation position and paralyzed his pectoral muscles preventing him from lifting himself up to breathe. The result was hypercardia, spasms, and asphyxia.
It is in fact noteworthy that our English word excruciating comes from the Latin excruciatus, which means “out of the cross.” All of this, and a lot more, is what our Savior suffered for us.
Review and Meditation: As you read the following verses, pay close attention to the significance of the cross in each verse.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Mat 16:25 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Without a doubt crucifixion was, the most cruel, the most disgraceful, barbaric, and excruciating form execution ever devised by the depravity of the human mind. It was the Persians creative invention to avoid defiling the ground, which they consecrated to their god Ormuzd. It was introduced to Egypt and Carthage by Alexander the Great. The Romans very likely picked it up from the Carthaginians and “perfected” it. It was especially set aside for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and the most vilest of criminals.
Although various cultures had specific practices, archaeological discoveries reveal that the Romans favored the “low Tau” cross which differed from the traditional shape. The “low Tau” cross resembled a “capital T,” with the upright post called the “stipes” and the crossbar called the “patibulum.” The patibulum alone weighed from seventy-five to one hundred pounds and was the portion which our Lord was forced to carry following the scourging which left him in an extremely weakened physical state.
At the site of the crucifixion, the stipes was set aside while the victim was thrown to the ground with his arms stretched out along the patibulum. Some cultures favored tying their victims, but the Romans preferred to use “nails,” which were actually tapered iron spikes approximately five to seven inches long and about three-eighths of an inch in diameter. Historical research reveal that the spikes were not nailed through palms of the hands (see word study on hand for clarification of alleged contradiction), which could never support the weight a man, but through the wrists resulting in an inconceivable degree of pain because the large median nerve would either be crushed or completely severed. The patibulum was then raised up onto the stipes and nails were hammered through the victim’s heels, which caused the bending of the knees and a rotation to one side as the victim’s wrist supported his full weight.
The most brutal part of all this was that the victim’s weight locked his intercostal muscles in the exhalation position and paralyzed his pectoral muscles preventing him from lifting himself up to breathe. The result was hypercardia, spasms, and asphyxia.
It is in fact noteworthy that our English word excruciating comes from the Latin excruciatus, which means “out of the cross.” All of this, and a lot more, is what our Savior suffered for us.
Review and Meditation: As you read the following verses, pay close attention to the significance of the cross in each verse.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Mat 16:25 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Cross - (Greek Stauros)
Pronounced - stow-ros’
Pronounced - stow-ros’
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Jesus Matt. 4:4
Glorifying the Triune God by creatively declaring the relevancy and practicality of His timeless Word.