History Surrounding Death of Jesus: Research Paper

Introduction

The death of Jesus through crucifixion was a form of punishment in the ancient world. It marks a way of execution that was practiced among the Indians, Persians, and Assyrians. It was later on adopted by the Romans and Greeks ((Bird, 2013). The crucifixion history which Jesus was subjected to, can be confirmed by archeological evidence. In 1968, archeological evidence related to the practice of crucifixion was discovered at Giv'at ha-Mivtar, which is located in the northern part of Jerusalem. It had bones of a man, who died of execution in the period estimated to be the beginning of the first century A.D and in the mid-60s. The historical studies reveal that the skeleton had a nail driven through both of forearm. The heels similarly had been pierced by one iron nail. The investigation found wood fragment on both extremities of that nail. This indicates that the nail was first driven into a small piece of wooden plaque. Then it is pierced to the victim's feet finally pierced to a vertical olive wood. This history shows that it was the practice of the Roman Empire to practice the crucifixion, this is the same condition that Jesus was subjected to and it led to his death.

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Culture Surrounding Death of Jesus

The crucifixion that led to the death of Jesus was a cultural practice. It comprises the damage of vital organs that lead to bleeding which is followed by slow death. Most of the cultures viewed the crucified person as a disgrace to the society and was denied a burial place according to the culture. That is the reason why Jesus could not be taken by the family to be buried in their ancestral land, but just volunteer who was Joseph buried his body (Matthew 27: 57-61). The body of the disgraced was left on the cross where it acted as carrion for the birds, or it just rots. The cultures viewed crucifixion as a quintessentially public affair. The disgraced person was crucified on a wooden cross, stake or tree, where he was being ridiculed by the regular passers-by. This acted as a grim cultural reminder to the general population of the fate of those who rebel against the established authority.

Death of Jesus and Gospel of Luke/Acts

The death of Jesus is well captured in the Gospel of Luke-Acts, it commences with the conflict that Jesus experienced from Jews and Pharisees. Through the Gospel of Luke-Acts, the sound of cadence: the "Christ must suffer" is repeated. This portrays the precise meaning of Christ Jesus' death for Luke' Gospel.

The death of Jesus for in Luke's Gospel starts with the rejection of Messiah. Luke writes about conflict and rejection of Jesus that ominously foreseen by Simeon (2: 34-35; which Simeon's song is. The song exemplary represented the opposition that Jesus was to face at Nazareth (4: 34-35). It came to be true when Pilate handed over Jesus to the wish and desire of Jewish public and Chief Priests who decided to crucify him to death.

Luke views Jesus as a prophet (4:24, 7:16, 39, 24: 19 and Acts 3:17-26; 7:37). As it was for other many prophets who were rejected and killed, Jesus was also to pass through the same process (Neh 9:26; Luke 4: 24, 6: 23; 11:47-51; 13: 33-34; and Acts 7: 52). In the book of Luke, Jesus attracted opposition because he was a prophet mostly by his apprehension of a brand of justice which was against the practice of the Jerusalem's religious leaders, especially the chief priests and benignly political leaders. In Luke's Gospel, most of the blames against Jesus are commonly from Jews, and to be specific, the Jewish leaders but not the Romans. This is shown when the innocence of Jesus is being declared by Pilate three times, and Herod confirms the same (23: 4, 14-15).

The conflicts that Jesus had, which later on resulted in his death, were not only for the human beings. This conflict is furthered on to the temptation that Jesus had from the devil (3:21-4:13), and the following descriptions that demonstrate the devil opposition against Jesus (13:10-17). Satan enters Judas to betray Jesus (22: 3; cf. 22: 31). The struggle of Jesus at mount olives as his mission is full of eschatological cosmic varieties (22: 53; 4: 13; 8: 13; 22:28, 40, 46). Though Judas betrays Jesus, it occurs under the full influence of the power of Satan (22: 3). In the same way, denial of Jesus by Peter is connected to the Satan influential in Luke Gospel.

Luke's Gospel recodes that Christ must suffer, this is shown as the book refers to Jerusalem as a place of suffering and death (9:51). It records Christ must suffer to enter his Glory (24:25-27). The crucifixion of Jesus is therefore foretold in the Luke's Gospel; it shows the necessity of the cross for Jesus to be exalted to be able to save.

Insights Gained that is Meaningful for Our Context Today

From the death of Jesus, there are a lot of ideas that are obtained; these insights include, the view of Jesus as the as the giver of life and freedom. The coincidence that exists between the death of Jesus and Paschal sacrifice (Jn 19: 14; Ex 12: 22) is a representation that Jesus is the giver of freedom from the slavery of sin. The Passover can also be related to the stretched discourse of Christ Jesus as the bread of life (John 6:25-59). Whoever takes the blood and flesh of Jesus will have experience of life eternal. The death of Jesus gives the insight of the love that God has for humankind. Even after the disobedience that humanity showed in the Garden of Eden, He loves them to the extent of sending His son for our redemption (Jn 3:16). This love gives a humanity hope of life after physical death for those who believe in Jesus. Because Jesus died and those who accept him will live according to the God's original plan for humanity before fall.

Conclusion

In considering the death of Jesus, we perceive Jesus as a savior. This is demonstrated through the care of Jesus that he has for humankind and the entire God's creation for he died on their behalf. This death not only saves humanity from eternal condemnation but also the shame, and rejection that humanity had from God due to sin. Jesus was placed in the mainstream of Israel's traditional faith. The political authorities and religious leaders joined hands together to sentence Jesus to crucifixion, the most humiliating and painful form of execution. This is to bring insight of what those who believe in Jesus may also go through, but it is not the end since Jesus died to give life eternal.

References

Bird, Michael, F, (2013) Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction Grand Rapids: Zondervan. LCCN # 2013005674.

Kentucky, L., (2016). A preacher Guide to lectionary Sermon: thematic Plans for Yeas A, B, and C. Westminster John Knox Press.

Marshal, H., McKnight, S. & Green, B., (1992) Dictionary Of Jesus And The Gospel. Downers Grove Intervarsity Press.