The Crucifixion

We can learn all we need to know from Jesus’ Crucifixion as we look at the little group there on Calvary: Jesus himself, the two thieves, and Mary the Mother of Jesus.

On the Cross Jesus offered himself and all his sufferings to God for the salvation of our souls.  “This is my body, which is given for you” (NRSV, Luke 22:19), given with all the pain that filled it as he hung on the Cross.  “This is my blood…which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (NRSV, Matthew 26:28); and as he offered his Blood, so he offered the thirst which the loss of his Blood brought upon him.  He was born for our sake, he lived for our sake, he died for our sake, and he gave his sufferings to God for our sake.

 “We may not know, we cannot tell,
 what pains he had to bear,
 but we believe it was for us
 he hung and suffered there”. (1)