As Jesus was led to the place of His crucifixion in Matthew 27:32, the Roman soldiers forcefully pressed a man named Simon of Cyrene into the service of carrying Jesus’ cross for Him. When the execution procession reached its destination (Golgotha), the soldiers mockingly offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, but Jesus refused to drink such an undrinkable mixture meant to further torment Him and to extend His misery, this despite His immense thirst.
After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, fastening Him to the cross perhaps as early as 11am, they divided His valuable clothing through casting lots … a fulfillment of prophecy. Regarding Jesus’ crucifixion, we observed how it was a violent death, an excruciatingly painful death, and a shameful death. We also examined WHY it was necessary for Jesus to die in this specific way.
The soldiers sat down both to watch and to ensure that Jesus died on the cross. Matthew explained that Jesus’ reason for His crucifixion was fixed above Him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Now Jesus was not crucified alone: 2 wrongdoers worthy of death were also crucified on each side of Him. Pilgrims entering the city passed by this crucifixion scene, blaspheming Jesus to His face, telling Him that if He was really able to destroy and rebuild the temple in 3 days, then surely He could come down from the cross.
The wicked chief priest, scribes, and elders also mocked Jesus, promising to finally believe in Him if He were to come down from the cross through His own power. Citing Psalm 22, they further mocked Jesus, certain that if God really took pleasure in Jesus that He would surely deliver Him from His imminent death.
But these mockers were wrong – it is not that Jesus could not save Himself – it is that He would not, for “He will save His people from their sins” (cf. Matthew 1:21). And in their reference to Psalm 22, these very men became the scorners and despisers mentioned in that same psalm. The final group of people to insult and mock Jesus was none other than the 2 men crucified along with Him. Even as they were also dying, they too reproached Jesus, heaping insults upon Him.
This teaching on the crucifixion focused more on the physical aspect of Jesus’ death – the following teachings will switch focus to the spiritual and theological implications of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning death for His people.
Listen to this teaching on Matthew 27:32-44 by clicking on the link below:
