Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." In 2004 Mel Giblson produced a famous movie entitled, "The Passion", which dealt with Jesus' life on earth and his crucifixion. In that movie, it depicted the cruel human suffering Jesus experienced on the cross. I never watched the movie, but I heard many people who attended mention what that movie was like. They thought it was the next best thing to Heaven. Many mainline churches sent their members to the theaters to watch that movie. It was a huge hit that year in ratings. Many movies that portray Jesus' death on the cross show the physical suffering and human torture that Jesus suffered. I will say that there's no question that Jesus experienced unquestionable torture on the cross. He was whipped and beaten to a pulp. The soldiers thrust a spear into his side and blood and water came out. The crucifixion was a harsh form of execution to those that committed crimes. There's no way I could endure such suffering and torture. I don't belittle the brutal, physical torture that Christ experienced on the cross. However, mankind has tasted physical death. The type of death that Jesus had to experience was something he had never known before in history. He became sin for mankind and experienced rejection from God the Father.
In Matthew 26:36-39, you read about Jesus in the Garden of Gethesamane. He was praying unto the Father. His soul was exceeding sorrowful unto death. He knew he was about to be betrayed by Judas. He knew his time was come for him to drink of that bitter cup. He prayed unto the Father and said if it be the will of the Father for the cup to pass from him. Jesus also prayed not his will but the will of thy Father. Jesus had also sweat drops as great as the drops of blood to the ground. Jesus knew what his mission was. He knew he was to bore the sins of mankind on the cross. He knew that when he was on the cross, he would experience separation for a period of time from the Father while on the cross. He had always known fellowship with the Godhead. He had never at one time not known fellowship with the Father. He also had never known sin, either. However, he was about to die a vicarious death on the cross. He was a substitute for us. He was chosen to be the lamb slain before the the foundation of the world. He knew that one day he would have to die on the cross. He would have all of mankind's sins thrusted upon him. He became sin so we could be reconciled to God. Jesus was obedient unto death.
In Matthew 27:45 there was darkness upon the earth from the sixth until the ninth hour. For the space of three hours Jesus was tasting death for mankind. I believe that. I believe Jesus was experiencing his darkest moments on the cross for three hours. He was punished for the sins of mankind. In verse 46 Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, "Eli, Eli, lama, sabach tha ni, which is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me." He had experienced rejection from the Father due to the sins of mankind. When Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, he had yielded up the ghost. He had also uttered the words, "It is finished" as well on the cross. Jesus had finally paid the debt for the sins of mankind. He endured the physical torture on the cross. He suffered rejection on the cross. Finally, the debt for the sins of mankind was paid. The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent (verse 51). The veil of the temple that was rent in twain from the top to the bottom means that we have access to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus then became our High Priest. No longer would an earthly priest have to offer animal sacrifices to atone for the sins of mankind. We now could go to Jesus. Praise the Lord!
In the book of Hebrews we read where it says how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Jesus paid it all on Calvary. He gave himself on Calvary so we wouldn't have to experience the awful torments of Hell. It's serious business with God that we don't neglect or ignore the price Jesus paid for us on Calvary. Hell is for those that reject Jesus. Anyone that goes to hell goes in spite of everything Jesus did for us on the cross. Jesus tasted spiritual death on the cross so we could be redeemed from sin and we wouldn't have to go to hell. There's nothing more important in life to to be saved and serve the Lord.
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