by Timothy W. Burnett
Following his condemnation by Pilate, Jesus was lead to the place of his crucifixion with two other men who were also accused of being malefactors or evil-doers. The soldiers required a man named Simon to carry Jesus' wooden stake for him. This was very likely due to the fact that Jesus was too weak from the scourgings to do so himself.
On the way, Jesus prophesied for some of the women who faithfully followed him. They wept greatly for him. His prophesy was related to the scripture found in Hosea 9:12-16 (Luke 23:27-31). Even after all his sufferings, Jesus still had the soundness of mind to be able to prophesy!
When Jesus and the other two arrived to the place, the soldiers offered him a kind of wine that was meant to help reduce the pain. He refused their offer (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23).
After Jesus was hung on the stake, he said aloud, "Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do" (Luke 23:26). The next verse says "they" parted his garments. Tracking the pronouns helps to understand that he probably asked to forgive the soldiers. They were just doing their job, and did not know the circumstances surrounding his crucifixion.
Later, Pilate ordered a superscription to be put over Jesus' head that read, "This is the King of the Jews" (Luke 23:38). Sometime after the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to remove the plaque over Jesus, the soldiers divided his garment into four parts, and because his coat or tunic was seamless, they cast lots for it. This fulfilled the Old Testament scripture in Psalms 22:18.
According to Mark 15:25, sometime after the superscription was placed over Jesus, two thieves or robbers were brought in. This fulfilled the scripture in Isaiah 53:12.
Also during this time, one of the evil-doers continued to mock and rail on Jesus like others did earlier. but the other one rebuked him. He then asked Jesus to remember him when his kingdom would be established in the future. Then Jesus again prophesied of the future and said to the evil-doer, "Verily I say unto you today, you shall be with me in paradise." The book of Revelation gives more detail about paradise, which is also known as the new earth (Revelations 21:1).
Still maintaining soundness of mind, Jesus saw his mother standing by one of his disciples that he loved very much and said, "woman, behold your son." He then said to his disciple, "behold your mother." From that time on, this disciple took care of Jesus' mother (John 19:26-27). What a beautiful moment! Jesus Christ made sure that his mother would be taken care of after his death.
Around the sixth hour or noon, darkness fell over the land until around three o'clock, and the veil of the Temple ripped in two down the middle (Luke 23:44). According to Mark 15:38, the veil tore from top to bottom.
Next Jesus cried out in the Aramaic language, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtnani" (Mark 15:34 and Matthew 27:46). According to Eastern Aramaic expert George Lamsa, Jesus' words are better translated, "My God, my God, for this purpose was I spared [or reserved]." Jesus gave a victory cry to his Father.
After receiving some bitter wine on a spunge, Jesus said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (John 19:28 and Luke 23:44). He was simply refering to holy spirit. He also said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). He died.
What was finished? Everything. That's right...he accomplished all that was necessary for God's redemption of mankind. He showed his Father's love for the world by willfully giving his own life on behalf of mankind. Jesus could have been rescued by over 72,000 angels and lived on. But he understood his Father's loving will, and did it out of love.
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