Why did Jesus need to be hung on a wooden cross?
Crucifixion was a Roman convention, not something provided for by Jewish law. As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches “cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree.” Deut. 21:23. So why would the Jewish Messiah, the anointed one of God, be crucified on a wooden cross?
- To Fulfill Prophecy – The Psalmist speaks of crucifixion in Psalm 22, a psalm which clearly speaks of Jesus, “for dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet.” Other scriptures in Psalm 34:20, Zechariah 12:10, and Isaiah 53 all foretell of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
- To Illustrate the Suffering that Sin Brings – Jesus suffered on the cross. We know this because in Matthew and Mark’s gospels, they record Jesus’ last words as “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” These words speak of great torment and suffering, of the soul searching in vain for God. And so it will be with the sinner who fails to appropriate the blood shed at Calvary to his or her own sin. If you fail to accept the sacrifice of Jesus as sufficient and apply it to your life through repentance and confession of Him as Lord and Savior, you have an ongoing sin problem. How will you, in your sin, approach a Holy God? No promise of heaven is given to those not covered by the blood of Jesus, only a promise of eternal separation from God. Eternal life is a certainty. The only uncertainty is where it will be spent.
- Because Blood Alone Makes Atonement for the Soul – The most important reason for the crucifixion was the shedding of the blood. According to Leviticus 17:11, “the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Walk with me down the Romans road: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23 “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Rom. 3:10 “The wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23 Add to that the statement from Leviticus, “the blood . . . makes atonement for the soul.” There is only one conclusion to be reached; there had to be a sacrifice, a blood sacrifice. Someone had to die that I might live . . . that you might live. Who would be the sacrificial offering (the propitiation) for my sin? for your sin? Who could meet the perfection standard outlined in God’s law? Who would be without blemish, without sin? Whose blood would be able to wash me . . . to wash you white as snow? Only Jesus! Crucifixion was necessary because our sin separated us from God, and God desired to be in fellowship with us. God so loved the world . . . God so loved me . . . God so loved you . . . blood had to be shed. Unless you lived a sinless life and met the law of God in every point, you also need Jesus to have died on the cross, to have shed His precious blood. Jesus was crucified, suffered, and bled because of me . . . because of you.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
Rooted and Grounded 