a really good Friday

Death by Crucifixion (from Solis, Legal Medicine, p.451) - When a person is nailed on a cross the weight is supported by the nailed feet. In order to breathe, the person has to raise his body and then throw his weight on his feet. When on the cross, the intercostal muscles are stretched and the chest cage is fixed. The alternative raising and lowering of the body lead to exhaustion, unconsciousness and death from asphyxia. Because of the difficulty of the chest movement, this type of death may be classified as traumatic asphyxia.

And that's what happened to Jesus. It was a painful and slow way of dying, and a shameful one to boot. Yes, he suffered. Yes, he was in pain. And that speaks of how much he loved us. He endured the cross because of man. Because of you. And me. But Jesus wasn't killed on the cross by the Jews and the Romans. He gave up his life there. To fulfill the prophecies. To save us all. It was a voluntary act performed in obedience to the Father. He offered himself in our place. He died. For the Jews and the Romans. For you. And for me. Because He loves. He loves you. And me. And because He gave His life, we live. If. we. believe.

It was not a defeated Jesus who was on the cross that day. And neither did the celebrations occur only on the Sunday following. Jesus was already a victor while his hands still held the nails. The fight was over and Jesus had won before he even reached the tomb! And that makes for a really good Friday.

Happy Easter! Jesus is alive! He lives. Rejoice!