Story of The Crown, the cross, & The nails

 Christians all over the world rely on symbolism as they celebrate the wonders of Jesus and the promises that He made. What better serves to remind us of His sacrifice than the Crown of Thorns that He wore upon His head? As the Roman Legionaries mocked Christ at His crucifixion, they placed a crown upon His head, hailing Him as King of the Jews. The crown was not a golden one, encrusted with jewels, which would have been befitting of a king. Instead it was formed from a thick-stemmed and thorny plant which grew in the desert of Jericho by the Dead Sea, just thirty miles from Jerusalem. This crown was encrusted with something far more precious than jewels - it was encrusted with the blood of Jesus, the very blood that He shed to redeem His people. The Euphorbia Milli, or Crown of Thorns, has been known to this region for many years as a beautiful ornamental plant, despite its dense thorns. Display this authentic Crown of Thorns as a symbolic reminder of the suffering that Christ endured. Whether as a centerpiece, wall décor or placed on top of an olive wood cross, the Crown of Thorns creates an ultimate statement of faith! 

It is hard to imagine a more heinous form of capital punishment than crucifixion. In the ancient world, crucifixion was believed to be an effective punishment and was used often when an individual was being punished for robbery or rebellion. Jesus died on the cross and while his death is the ultimate sacrificial act, it is also one of the most horrific displays of inhumanity.

For years, theologians and historians have studied and pieced together the death of Jesus Christ. While some events remain unresolved and questionable, there are many facts we do know.  It is important to separate the truth from revolving theories because it helps Christians better understand why Jesus’ sacrifice is still relevant and remains an act of faith that stands the test of time.

1 Corinthians 1: 18-21 ESV states, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

The message of salvation through faith in a crucified Savior was deemed foolishness and Paul refers to the cross as a stumbling block. The crucifixion of Christ is an emblem of the most atrocious of human obscenities. A person, Jesus Christ included, was nailed to the cross as a method of humiliation and embarrassment. Ultimately, the cross is more than a material for capital punishment – it is a public symbol of indecency and social indignity. Yet, so many people hold the cross up as the innate symbol of Christianity – when the reality is the cross is where Jesus was shamed.

Records show that St. Luke recorded Jesus’ sweat turning into blood. Medically this is known as either hematidrosis or hemohidrosis and is caused when blood hemorrhages into the sweat glands. This is a rare condition; however, this can occur when an individual is in extreme physical pain or in persons with bleeding disorders.

The lacerations tore into Jesus’ skeletal muscles and produced ribbons of bleeding flesh – causing circulatory shock. The beating that Jesus received prior to being nailed on the cross is the cause for blood hemorrhaging.

In Luke, Jesus says:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do…”

This saying is often referred to as “The Word of Forgiveness.” It is interpreted as Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness from the soldiers who were crucifying him, and the others involved in his execution. Even as he was committed to death, he believed that mankind was possible of greater good and second chances.

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Traditionally this phrase is referred to as “The Word of Salvation.” The Gospel of Luke mentions two thieves being crucified alongside Jesus. The two men are named Dismas and Gestas. One of the men believed in Jesus’ innocence. Jesus is telling the two men that he is standing by them and they will go heaven.

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

This is called “The Word of Reunion” and many theologians believe this is the proclamation of Jesus joining God the Father in heaven. These were the last words of Jesus and they articulate Jesus’ faith and absolute trust in God – despite the horrible death he is experiencing. For Christians, this is the model of prayer that everyone is expected to adopt. In fear, sickness, and even in one’s death God is in control and will never leave their side.

One of the most asked questions regarding the crucifixion of Christ is, “What did Jesus go through on the cross?” Clearly, the overall encompassing answer is extreme, indescribable pain. But it is clear, based on the history of crucifixions that the crucifixion itself is not the single reason for his death.

The beatings leading up to him being nailed on the cross created lacerations on Jesus’ body and created bleeding flesh ribbons everywhere on his body. Then he had to carry the cross – which is also a debated occurrence because the cross would have weighed somewhere around 300 pounds. However, any bearing of the cross would have created stress on Jesus’ body. Being fastened to the cross would make it incredibly difficult, and seemingly impossible to breathe because the position of the body produced a gradual process of asphyxiation. Jesus’ diaphragm and inner muscles became weak and exhausted – breaking his legs accelerated this process.

Historians believe that Jesus was on the cross for about six hours. Typically, a death by crucifixion takes 18 to 48 hours; however, in Jesus’ case it was shortened because of the monstrous beating he received prior to being nailed on the cross. Christians must remember the pain and shame that Jesus Christ endured because that is the only way their hearts won’t grow weary and lose faith, when they experience hurdles and opposition in their day-to-day life.

 We know that crucifixion was invented by the Persians about 300 or 400 years B.C. It was among the most painful and excruciating form of punishment leading to death ever contrived by man for man (women were never crucified). If we trace the word "excruciation" back to its origins we find that it is inextricably linked to the act of crucifixion: Latin excruciatus, past participle of excruciare, from ex- + cruciare to crucify, from cruc-, crux cross (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

Contrary to popular notion the nails which held Jesus to the cross must have been driven into His wrists and not his palms. Jesus' nails would have been made of heavy, probably square, iron material, 7-9 inches long. Many great painters from the past have depicted Jesus being nailed through His palms to the cross; it is a medical impossibility for this to be the case. You may have to really work your mind to grasp the enormity of what was going on here. The weight of a fully grown man was going to be suspended by three nails.

Not all crucifixions were carried out in the same way; some victims were tied to the cross while others were nailed. Jesus was nailed. He was made to carry the cross-bar to the place of His execution. The upright post (stipe) was a permanent fixture. The crossbar (patibulum) was always carried to the location, not the complete cross as is often depicted. When Jesus got to the place of His execution, He was placed on His back with His arms outstretched. The nails were first driven through small wooden disks to eliminate any chance of the heads pulling through the flesh. The site of the incision in the arm was critical; the Romans had perfected the procedure, a very specific procedure. The legionnaire who had been given the task felt for a specific spot, the nail had to be driven in-between the bones of the forearm up close to the wrist while not severing any major arteries or veins. There is a space between eight small bones which is structurally suitable to permit a full body weight to be supported for a time. If the nails had been driven into the palms of the hands, under the extreme weight, they would have ripped out between the fingers.

First, a nail would have been driven into His arm on one side, and then the other. The legionnaire would make sure that His arms were not pulled too tightly, allowing flexion and movement. With this done, the patibulum was then raised and affixed to the stripe. The next stage involved the nailing of the feet; this was also a deliberate action. The third nail had to be driven through both feet, which were turned outward so the nail could be hammered inside the Achilles tendon. With His knees slightly flexed Jesus was now crucified. As He slowly sagged down, He would have tried to support His weight with the muscles of His legs, an impossible position to maintain. In some cases, the victims' legs were broken, so that they couldn't support themselves in this way. Eventually more and more weight was placed upon the nails. The method the Romans had perfected ensured that crucifixion victims would hang painfully until their diaphragm went into spasm and they literally suffocated to death.

What an incredible price He paid for our sins! 

Jesus went through all that He did to redeem us. To allow us an opportunity to get back into right relationship with God. To be saved from an everlasting hell, it's very simple. Five easy steps to salvation are as follows:

1. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

2. Believe that he died on the cross for your sins.

3. Believe that He rose again in three days.

4. Ask Him to forgive you for your sin, come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior.

5. Go tell somebody. Share your good news.

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