Teaching the Cross: Impossible but Needful

The Crucifixion in Luke’s Gospel, 23:26-49. Lesson for November 12, 2023

 

When I realized I was teaching a lesson about the cross, I had to search my soul. How does one teach this? As a teacher you want to bring something fresh, and I decided that was, for me, too much about me and not about the text and the gospel. "Fresh" was too close to "clever," and if there is anything we teach about that does not need our cleverness, it's the cross. I confessed my egotism to God. So I just started reading, word by word, line by line, verse by verse. And that, and God's help, something arose

 

Years ago the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article by three prominent doctors, one from Mayo Clinic, about the actual physical cause of Jesus’ death. I wanted to find it, but couldn’t, and I have access to the whole University System of Georgia library database I did find the abstract:

Jesus of Nazareth underwent Jewish and Roman trials, was flogged, and was sentenced to death by crucifixion. The scourging produced deep stripelike lacerations and appreciable blood loss, and it probably set the stage for hypovolemic shock, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus was too weakened to carry the crossbar (patibulum) to Golgotha. At the site of crucifixion, his wrists were nailed to the patibulum and, after the patibulum was lifted onto the upright post (stipes), his feet were nailed to the stipes. The major pathophysiologic effect of crucifixion was an interference with normal respirations. Accordingly, death resulted primarily from hypovolemic shock and exhaustion asphyxia. Jesus' death was ensured by the thrust of a soldier's spear into his side. Modern medical interpretation of the historical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead when taken down from the cross.

(JAMA 1986;255:1455-1463)

 

(In all transparency, I could have found the article if I paid for it; it was behind the JAMA's paywall. Hypovolemic shock comes from loss of 15% of fluid and blood.)

 

The Bible gives us four accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The differences have inspired and baffled students of the Bible for centuries. There are only a few differences that cannot be explained by simply saying “the writer left that detail out.” The four gospel accounts are accurate but are not supposed to be video-camera-like reproductions of the crucifixion. Each writer emphasized a different theme.

 

Matthew 27: 32-56: Jewish-oriented details, prophecy and eschatological aspects

 

Mark 15: 21-41; Mark usually gives us the shortened version but he goes into great detail (6 chapters of 16) on the Passion Week.

 

 John: 19:17-37 (very different, includes Roman soldier with spear, which John brings up in Revelation 1:7. John’s is more personal about Mary, himself, and Jesus. John’s is the most unique.

(This is a very superficial analysis; the writings on the differences could fill a library.)

 

Things they all record: crowd’s betrayal, Barrabas, Jesus being handed over to Romans, casting lots, sign “King of the Jews,” Jesus offered something to drink, existence of two others, hours, dies consciously, witnesses react, Joseph of Arimathea

 

There seem to be slight differences in time lines and words spoken, but they are not contradictions in fact. A study of each in comparison is important.There are many such comparisons on the Internet, but some are flawed (read: just plain wrong).

 

Jesus is recorded as saying the following on the cross. Notice only one of them is repeated: (list from Wikipedia, King James Version)

 

Sayings of Jesus on the cross	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.			23:34
Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.			23:43
Woman, behold thy son! and Behold thy mother!				19:26–27
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?	27:46	15:34
I thirst.				19:28
It is finished.				19:30
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.			23:46

 

Luke’s version has at least five themes. I’d like to look at them. Keep in mind that Luke wrote the book of Acts as the Part II of his gospel.

I.                The temple. Luke writes more about Jesus in the temple than the others. A. Even from His infancy when He is dedicated, when He teaches the elders at the age of twelve, his recorded teachings in Passion Week are all in the temple,

B.    It is the ninth hour when Jesus dies, the “hour of prayer” in the temple; Jesus’ final words are a prayer.

C.    Recording of the veil of the temple being torn in two  (also in Mark and Matthew, “top to bottom”).  This is prophetic (temple, as He prophesied, would be destroyed in the near future), and soteriological (about salvation): the temple is not the way to God, but Jesus’s physical death and resurrection are. We are now His temple (I Corinthians 3 & 6).

D.    Righteousness.  The centurion says “Certainly this was a righteous Man.” Some translate it as innocent, but not the best. Innocent just implies He wasn’t guilty enough for execution.

1.     Righteous means just. Luke has a theme throughout his gospel of how Jesus is righteous (just, full of justice, bringing justice) which means He will create a just world. Not a “fair” world, but one of justice. We focus on personal salvation so much that we totally overlook this very clear aspect of Christ’s work.

2.     There is a contrast here with the unjustness of Rome. The sign “This is the King of the Jews” is a mockery. There is an assurance of justice: 

3.     “Remember me when you come into Your kingdom,” the thief not realizing this was about to happen.

E.     Parallels with Stephen’s martyrdom. Several, but specifically asking forgiveness for the accusers, he is cast outside of the city for execution, Stephen emphasizes His name as “Lord,” the image of an opening into heaven (veil torn, heavens opened, Stephen first to die for faith); committing his soul to God right at death, “opening” the way, connection to temple

F.     Jesus’ total control. “Into thy hands”: quoting Psalm 31:5.

G.    Responses

a.     Followed to His death to watch.

b.     Lamentation by women (response)

c.     Mockery by religious leaders

d.     Mockery by soldiers, with sour wine and sign

e.     Two thieves (brigands, insurrectionists)

f.      Praise of the pagan soldier and declaration of His righteousness

g.     Whole crowd beating their breasts (reference to the sinner in the Temple with the Pharisee, also in Luke)

h.     Close acquaintances stood at a distance.

i.       Joseph of Arimathea asked to bury Him.

 

What should ours be?  I go with ‘f’ as the only viable option.

 

References:

Edwards WD, Gabel WJ, Hosmer FE. On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ. JAMA. 1986;255(11):1455–1463. doi:10.1001/jama.1986.03370110077025

 

Habermas, G., Kopel, J., & Shaw, B. C. F. (2021). Medical views on the death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 34(6), 748–752. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2021.1951096

 

Karris, R. J. (1986). Luke 23:47 and the Lucan View of Jesus’ Death. Journal of Biblical Literature, 105(1), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.2307/3261111

 

Sylva, D. D. (1986). The Temple Curtain and Jesus’ Death in the Gospel of Luke. Journal of Biblical Literature, 105(2), 239–250. https://doi.org/10.2307/3260392