Standing at the Foot of the Cross

As you imagine yourself near Calvary, standing at the foot of the cross becomes more than a thought—it draws you into the weight of Christ’s suffering and the depth of His love.

“He delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him.”—John 19:16–18

The Romans considered crucifixion the ultimate penalty. Perhaps the most extreme expression of this penalty took place in 71 BC. After putting down a revolt led by the slave Spartacus, the Roman general Crassus crucified 6,000 rebel slaves on crosses he erected to line the road from Rome to Capua.

According to author Ann Wroe, crucifixion was particularly horrible because of “the time it took a man to die by asphyxiation or dehydration.” It was a death of shame; “a man could not get lower.”

This was the death chosen for Jesus. And as He looked down from the cross, Jesus saw few friendly faces. Most of His followers did not want to witness this horrible death.

Sometime in the 19th century, an anonymous African American wrote a spiritual to capture the essence of that moment. He asked, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”

The writer wanted us to picture ourselves standing near the cross. He asked, “Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree … when they laid Him in the tomb?” Thinking about Jesus’ death, he wrote, “Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.”

Remember that Jesus endured this agony for you. He suffered and died because He loves you. When you think about a love so overwhelming, does it cause you to tremble? Through eyes of faith, look at Jesus on the cross. Thank and worship Him.

Reflection Question: How does imagining yourself at the cross shape your gratitude today?