During the time of His arrest by a vigilante gang, Jesus stood uncomplaining.  He even took time from His own situation to heal the ear of one of His accusers.  He suffered the brutal threats and insults.  He withstood the humiliation of being spat upon and assaulted by His enemies and those who had been His followers only a week before.

He suffered the bitter pain of the lash, which consisted of 9 leather straps imbedded with glass and metal. As that lash cut through His body, great chunks of flesh were removed, causing severe blood loss and exposure to the elements.

When forced to carry the torturous instrument of His execution, He no longer had the appearance of a man. His hair was matted and mingled with sputum and blood. He was weak from dehydration and blood loss. His face was bruised and cut from the continuous jabs and punches of the Roman guard as well as His own people.

Was this the Beautiful Savior the world was waiting for?

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain Jesus endured, but I know that He did this for you and me and everyone who ever has or ever will walk the face of the earth. His death was the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people, even when it wasn’t deserved.

It was the hour of the evening sacrifice when our Lord took His final breath and commended Himself to His heavenly Father’s hands. The final sacrifice was now complete. His pitiful, distorted, gory body hung lifeless on the cross, but that wasn’t the end of the story.

On the third day He would prove that He had conquered death and the devil and was reserving a place in heaven for all His believers.

“Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of man. Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be Thine.”