And They Crucified Him

Mark 15:22-26 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 
ONE simple sentence: And they crucified him. defines sin’s great cost. Here is the moment God promised to mankind when he confirmed his victory plan over Satan: Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Satan has struck Jesus heel, a metaphor for the most horrible affliction of pain and humiliation. Do you wonder, “Why did Jesus need to suffer? Why did his affliction need to be so terrible?” You can find an answer when you discover many Bible verses that reveal God deeply hated sin.
   Remember, God is life. He created a world of life in all forms of creatures to fill the world and dwell in harmony. But the first thing sin caused in the world was bloodshed. God killed animals to clothe the suddenly naked and shamed Adam and Eve. Sin was also a death penalty to humanity. “You will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) was God’s solemn warning to Adam. Death and bloodshed is sin’s price. To redeem the bloodshed and to overcome death, someone needed to pay with blood and his life. The only one who could do this for all humanity is the Son of God. In love and grace, the Father chose the Son to pour out his blood to overturn sin’s death penalty.
   That’s why you praise God for the second part of the Genesis promise: “He will crush your head.” Jesus died to destroy Satan’s authority over our souls. Through Jesus’ resurrection, death no longer reigns. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and his ascension to heaven’s throne defeated Satan’s headship over mankind. Today from his throne, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to crush the Evil One’s control over mankind’s soul. The Spirit has resurrected countless hearts to Jesus’ salvation. These confessions crush sin’s death and raise hearts to Jesus’ life.
   Behold the victory promise! Revelation 21:7-9 “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
   Praise God! “And they crucified him.” is the Father’s evidence he has fulfilled his promise to redeem the sins of all who believe.