Today we are called to focus upon the cross and Jesus’ crucifixion. We are all familiar with the cross. Most of us probably have a crucifix in our homes, and many people wear them around their necks. We know that Jesus was scourged and crucified for us. But what does that really mean? What was the virtual reality and the full extent of the pain and suffering that Jesus endured for our sins?

We live in a Western culture that knows really very little about pain, and we tend to have a very low tolerance of it. In most instances of physical pain, with our Cosmopolitan medicine, we are able to either eliminate it entirely, or at the very least, limit it considerably. Because of this, we in our society are faced with a real challenge in trying to understand the mystery of "redemptive suffering" that we celebrate today. And to some degree, it is perhaps this lack of tolerance for pain, that may be one of the underlying reasons why some people today, look to "physician assisted suicide" as a means to bringing an end to their pain and suffering, rather than, offering up their own pain and suffering to be to be joined with that of Christ.

I ask you to consider the physical pain and suffering that Jesus endured for us, to redeem our sins? We must remember that before the crucifixion itself actually began Jesus had a crown of thorns pushed into his head, was beat with sticks and then was scourged. The thorns used in the crowning were about an inch long. The effect of it was like a number of inch long nails being driven into Jesus’ skull. Then, Jesus was scourged, which meant that he was beaten with a leather whip. But the whips used at that time had little lead balls attached to the end of each leather thong of the whip, so that with every strike of the whip, strips of flesh were torn from Jesus’ body.

It was only after undergoing this torture did the crucifixion begin. The cross was placed on the ground and Jesus roughly thrown onto it. A square wrought-iron nail was driven through the depression in front of the wrist, first of the one hand, then the other. But the arms were left with a little flexibility and movement. The cross was then lifted into place, while the weight of his entire body was placed on the two nails in his wrists.

Jesus’ left foot was pressed backward against the right foot, and both feet extended, toes down, and another square wrought-iron nail driven through the arch of each, while leaving his knees somewhat flexed. Jesus was now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in his wrist, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along his fingers and up into his arms to explode in his brain, because the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As Jesus attempts to push himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As his arms begin to fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. And with these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. Jesus fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in his lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.

Hours and hours of the this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over – the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level – the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues – the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. Jesus can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues. And then, finally, he can allow his body to die.

It is also important for us to be aware that in Jesus’ parting words, "It is finished!" he expresses triumph rather than defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy of victory, because what the Father had sent him into the world to do had now been accomplished. Jesus offered himself, sinless though he was, as the sacrificial offering for the ransom of our sins.

By his example, Jesus teaches us that God, who sent him to us as the Lord of life, works through a process of death/resurrection. This is the way God has chosen to bring new life into the world. "I tell you solemnly," says the Lord, "unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest." When Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples (and to us, today), he was trying to help them (and us) understand that out of his death would emerge new life.

There is no one here that is compelled to be a disciple of Christ. Each of us is free to answer his call or ignore it. But, in choosing to follow him, we need to understand that there is a price to be paid. The willingness to follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial love is the cost of discipleship. However, when we do choose to follow him, we discover that the new life we have opted for is the most glorious, the most fulfilling, and the most joyous life that a human being can know.