The crucifixion of Jesus - horrific yet glorious

Why is it that Christians view the crucifixion of Jesus as both horrific and glorious?

Horrific, yes, but glorious also?

Nailing a criminal onto a cross is a barbaric form of execution. The Romans did it to

thousands of people. Two other men were crucified either side of Jesus but their

deaths could hardly be said to be of world changing significance as is the case with

the death of Jesus.

So, what is different about that man hanging upon the middle cross 2000 years ago?

In short, he acted as if he was God come to earth as man. It was his words, miracles

and purity of character that caused people to ask, ‘Just who is this man?’ - a prophet,

the awaited Messiah or even the Son of God? This was too much for the Jewish

religious leaders who, as guardians of the nation’s faith, couldn’t entertain such an

‘outsider’ challenging the status quo. They conspired to get rid of him. To do this they

needed to turn the masses against Jesus and to enrol the non-Jewish governing

authorities represented by governor Pontius Pilate. They succeeded and Jesus was

judicially murdered.

What was going on here is profound. With Jesus, both Jews and non-Jews came face-

to-face with the very character of God and decided such close proximity to him was

too uncomfortable.

At his sham trial, the people, by committing common sins (e.g. speaking half-truths,

hatred, faithlessness and irreverence), were key players in putting Jesus onto the

cross. We can say that he had to bear the sins of men and women through to death. To

judge and condemn God in Jesus Christ in this way is horrific.

There is another dimension to be told - a heavenly dimension. God, because of his

love for people, had preordained that this was how Jesus was to die. Stay with me

here. Contrary to what many people think, God is a just judge and today we are each

on the guilty sheet. From heaven’s perspective, Jesus was a pure, untainted sacrifice; a

scapegoat, offered so people like you and I needn’t remain condemned for our own

sins. Yes, Jesus died on behalf of others.

The message of Good Friday tells us to take to our hearts this amazing grace. This is

why Christians make such a big deal about the cross of Jesus and see it as glorious.