Who Crucified Jesus

Who crucified Jesus? Since the early information releases about “The Passion of Christ” this question has come to the front. Let’s look at the things we know:

1. Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem in about 34 AD.
2. History records that Rome ruled Jerusalem at that time.
3. History also records that the Roman rulers were weak, Jerusalem was not the place for a ruler to get his ticket punched for bigger and better things in the Roman Government. To say these leaders were the dregs of Roman leaders would be close.
4. Because of that the Jewish religious leaders were able to influence many actions of the Roman government.
5. Jesus was arrested by the temple Guards of the High Priest.
6. The witnesses against him were Jews, many of the charges were trumped up or just plain false.
7. The Roman governor tried to spare him by offering to free him but the crowd requested a murderer be freed. Barabbas was preferred to Jesus. The criminal’s life was spared. Jesus was taken to the cross.
8. The Romans actually pronounced sentence of death.
9. The Romans actually carried out the crucifixion.

So Who is Responsible for the Death of Christ?

1. Some say the Romans: They supplied the cross and drove the nails. Under American law anyone who participates in a crime at this level is guilty.
2. Some say the Jewish leaders: They provided the charges and situation. Under American law anyone who participates in a crime at this level is guilty.
3. The scripture says it was God: The scripture says Jesus was the lamb slain from the foundations of the earth. It was God’s plan for redemption. It was intended as the fulfillment of the law. The law was fulfilled 2000 years ago, there is no longer any need for sacrifice.
4. And in a sense it was all of us: Mel Gibson said it well when he was taken to task about his movie “The Passion of Christ”. Every one of us crucified Christ. I believe Mel was wrong about one thing. He said he was first in line. I think I hold that place. It is only when we see that do we appropriate the sacrifice that was made that day.

What is important is not who crucified Christ or how he died. The important thing is why he died and that was to be the sacrifice for sin, once and for all, He paid it for you and me.