1 Corinthians 1:23

 A method of extreme punishment  It was cruel and inhumane  It was intended to produce horror and revulsion  It would be a vicious demonstration of intimidation and humiliation  It left the victim helpless, vulnerable, and exposed  It was seen as a death of shame and degradation Facts About Crucifixion

 Instances  King Darius (Persian) - 3,000 Babylonians  Alexander the Great - 2,000 Tyrians  Alexander Jannaeus Pharisees  The Romans They came to power in Israel in 63 B. C. From that time until the fall of Jerusalem (70 A. D.) as many as 30,000 may have been crucified  Outlawed by Constantine in 337 A. D. Facts About Crucifixion

 Reserved for the lowest or vilest criminal  Reserved for slaves, common criminals, traitors, enemies of the state  A Roman citizen could not be crucified  Thus, the “king of the Jews” or “a god” being crucified was utter nonsense to the Greeks (non-Jews) World View

 They were “scandalized.” “Stumbling block” from SKANDALON (Grk.) This word is translated as “stumbling block” or “offense” (see 1 Peter 2:8) Originally meant the trigger in a trap, then the trap itself Barclay says it is “something which stops a man’s progress, something which trips him up, or something that bars the way to him” World View  The Jews stumbled at the crucifixion of Christ.

 Jesus did not fit their concept of the Messiah He did not usher in an earthly rule. He suffered what was to them a scandalous death Hanged on a tree (Gal. 3:13; Deut. 21:22-23) Even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8)  The Jews viewed Him as a failure; His death a defeat World View  The Jews stumbled at the crucifixion of Christ

 These attitudes still exist today  Millions hold Jesus in contempt and mock Him  Thought of as a failure  They believe His momentary movement died with Him World View

 This death made salvation possible  The author and finisher (Heb. 12:2)  His death brought redemption (Eph. 1:7)  His blood: Forgives sins (Matt. 26:28) Pays penalty (1 Peter 1:18-19)  Reconciled through His death (Rom. 5:6-10) Biblical View

 It produced the ultimate victory  Conquering of sin (Col. 2:13-15)  Exaltation of Jesus (Acts 2:22-24; 30-36)  Offer of eternal salvation (2 Tim. 1:10) Biblical View