520. Many first-century Jews died, just like Jesus, on a cross. Some estimates for the number of Jews crucified in this time for a variety of crimes run as high as one hundred thousand. But this was not at the hand of other Jews. Crucifixion was exclusive to the Romans, and it was an extreme penalty generally reserved for cases of runaway slaves or rebellion against Rome. An uprising of slaves against Rome led by the gladiator-slave Spartacus in 71 B.C. resulted in some six thousand crucifixions. Bodies were left to decompose as a grim warning.
521. Gall is mentioned several times in the Bible. It refers to the juice of a poisonous and bitter plant, but there is no way of knowing exactly which plant. The best guess is the poison hemlock, the plant that poisoned Socrates and served medicinally as a sedative. Hemlock was considered a plant of ill omen and associated with witches and evil spirits.
522. The Seven Last Utterances are the final words spoken by Christ while on the cross. The four Gospels reveal different phrases, but grouped together they include: (1) "Today you will be with me in paradise" (spoken to the thief next to Him). (2) "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (3) "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (4) "I thirst." (5) "Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother." (spoken to Mary and the disciple John). (6) "It is finished." (7) "Into your hands I commit My spirit."
523. "A mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight" was brought after the crucifixion. "Then took they the body of Jesus, and wount it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury" (John 19:39-40 KJV). Myrrh was one of the main ingredients used in the purification of the dead.
524. The linen in which Jesus' body was wount was made from flax, the oldest textile fiber known. In the ancient world there were different grades of linen. Fine linen was used in the cloths of the rich, for curtain hangings in the Temple, and even for sails of Phoenician trading ships. The poor people, however, wore only ordinary coarse linen. The Bible did not specify what type of linen Jesus was wount in.
525. The death of Jesus at Golgotha must have had more significance to the Romans than the deaths of the thousands of other Jews they crucified at that time. Yet soon the whole ancient world heard about Jesus. His disciples carried His teaching to the farthest outpost of the Roman Empire.
526. Yet to one Roman, Christ's death did have significance. The Roman centurion who watched Christ die said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" When he saw the sun darken and felt the earth quake at Jesus' death.
527. The resurrection of Jesus is the central story to all Christianity. After dying on the cross, being wrapped in a burial shroud, and being interred in a sealed tomb, Jesus rose from the dead-conquering death and offering the hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him.
528. After Jesus was resurrected, He appeared several times to various disciples. His resurrection fulfilled every prophecy He and all the prophets had made concerning the Savior of the world. Though some doubted, many believed and were brought to a saving understanding that Jesus was truly their Savior and the King of Kings.
529. Jesus commissioned His followers to preach the Gospel to all people. His call to them brought the disciples and other faithful followers to the beginning of the church. And through a history of almost two thousand years, the church has experienced persecution, misery, and separation. Yet never has it died and never will it fall, despite what might happen, for Christ is the Head of His church. And His Kingdom cannot fail!
530. Christ ascended into Heaven, on a cloud, to be with the Father and to "sit at the right hand of God" until the time of His second coming. He will come again at "the last days" as the Bible writers prophesied, His message remains today for all who will believe in Him and trust Him as their personal Savior.
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