Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

WHY CRUCIFIXION?

Crucifixion was a public and cruel method of death. They nailed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross and placed a crown of thorns on His head. Why must Jesus have died in this manner?

For Jesus to be the propitiation and atonement for our sins His sacrifice had to be a bloody sacrifice. Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Before Jesus went to the cross, he had been terribly whipped. This tore flesh from His back. So, as Jesus hung from the cross His head, back, side, hands and feet were all bleeding. His was a bloody sacrifice. He was the “… Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. Jesus foresaw His blood being shed. Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Many modernistic churches today have removed blood from their bibles and hymnals. They don’t believe that Jesus died as an atonement for our sin. Here are some verses that mention the importance of the blood of Jesus for our forgiveness and salvation:

·       Romans 5:9 - Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

·       Hebrews 9:12 - … by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

·       1 John 1:7 - … the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

·       Revelation 1:5 - … Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

·       Revelation 5:9 - … for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

·       Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb, …

Today, let’s be thankful and appreciative of all that God has done for us. Jesus did much more than set an example for us. He washed us white as snow in His own blood! Let’s be the overcomers He wants us to be!

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry