-An Excruciating Truth
-John 19:16-42

"Finally, Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified..."
--(John 19:16)

IT was a time in history like many others; a seemingly innocent man falsely accused, condemned in a mock trial and convicted to death for His radical claims. He was tortured, whipped and thrust naked upon a cross with stakes piercing His arms and feet, then left to suffer one of the most excruciating and inhumane forms of death penalty the world has ever known. Hundreds watched. Many ridiculed Him. Some despaired.

The long, painful death wreaked havoc on His body, His muscles, His whole body, adding unimaginable distress on His wrists and feet. Eventually, He could no longer hold up from the pressure as He took His final breath. The sky darkened; the agony accelerated. His body collapsed. His heart stopped. And when there was no life left in Him--just to add a final misery--some thug grabbed a spear and pierced His ribs. Finally, the bloody, bruised corpse was removed from the tree and left in a tomb.

Jesus was dead. And it was the strangest bit of good news the world has ever known.

--Haven Today / "Arise, My Love"