2. Josephus described it as “the most wretched of deaths.” Seneca argued that even suicide is preferable to the cruel fate of being put on the cross. Cicero called it “a most cruel and disgusting punishment.” Deuteronomy 21:23 “Anyone who is hung on a tree is accursed by God.”

3. The Persians invented and used crucifixion as far back as 400 BC. Alexander the Great brought the practice back to Egypt and Carthage. The Romans learned about it and developed a high degree of skill and efficiency in its use. The emperor Constantine finally discontinued the use of crucifixion in the 4 th century AD.

23. “And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.”

24. “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father into Thy hands I commit My spirit.’ And having said this, He breathed His last.”

28. Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”

29. Romans 3:23-25 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteous- ness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.”

30. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

31. Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.”

32. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Jesus came and died to deliver us from the wrath of God.

33. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 We as Christians are now not destined for wrath because our Lord Jesus Christ died for us. He took upon Himself the wrath that we deserved.

34. Hebrews 2:9 Jesus suffered death “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”

35. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 We as Christians are now not destined for wrath because our Lord Jesus Christ died for us. He took upon Himself the wrath that we deserved. Hebrews 2:9 Jesus suffered death “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 9:28 Christ was “offered once to bear the sins of many.”

36. 1 Peter 2:22-24 Christ “committed no sin” and yet “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.”

37. 1 John 2:2 Christ “is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”

38. 1 Peter 2:22-24 Christ “committed no sin” and yet “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” 1 John 2:2 Christ “is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 3:16 “He laid down His life for us.”

39. Jesus paid it all; All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

40. Jesus gave His life for you. Will you now give your life back to Him?