The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-17
READING FOR THE DAY.


JESUS CRUCIFIED.-John XIX 17-30.
Golden Text-Tt is 6nished.-John xix, 80.
It needs our modern knowledge of physiology
to appreciate how horrible and excrucating were
the pain and agony caused by the ancient meth
DDS Of crucifxion. There were three forms of
crosses, the first shaped like the letter X, and
now known as ST. Andrews; the second was in
shape like the letter T, and is now called St.
Authony's, and the third was the moro com
mon Latin cross The last was the kind on
which Jesus was crucihed, this is the
only one on which inscription could be
placed over his head. Matt xvii 81. The vic
tim was generally compelled to bear the burden
of the beams of the cross from the place of trial
to the place of execution. They were stripped
of their clothing, and with the cross laying on
the ground they were nailed to it by iron spikes
driven through their hands and feet into the
beams. Then the cross was raised upright by
strong men and dropped into hole dug for
the purpose, and the falling into it's place
caused the victim the most intense ad-
ditonal pain. The feet of the sufferers
were only few inches above the ground,
and they were not lifted, as in the pictures, far
above the heads of the people. The nails were
driven through those parts of the body where,
with the weight depending upon them, there
would be the greatest suffering. The blood
would be driven TO the brain in great quantities,
and the thirst and agonizing tortures would be
beyond expression No human power can tell
the story but it is worth the effort to so describe
it that every scholar should and feel the
agony endured for them. Sometimes the VIC
Tins would live forty eight hours on the cross.
1t was the custom for four soldiers to accom-
pany each person to be cracifed, and to prevent
their friends in any way bringing succor TO them
while on the cross.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION.
/. He, Bearing His Cross, Went Forth-Is we
realize the nature of His cross, the shame. the
suffering the agony, we will seldom speak of
our crosses. They are not worthy the name.
Peter, when he was crucifed, thought it too
much honor to die like his Master, and so, ac-
cordlug to tradition, he was crucifed with his
head to the earth Let us not speak of our
crosses, save with thankfulness, that We can in
any way be 'cruci6ed with Christ"
z That the Scriptures Might Be Fulfilled
How many ways, in how many seemingly con-
Trajectory things. Christ fulfilled the prophecies
made hundreds of years before. In little things
and great lie fills the picture. The writers of
prophecy must have been inspired 1t would be
good task, to give a week in advance to
bright scholar inclined to skeptcism, to look out
all the prophecies that Christ fulfilled. 1t might
forever settle their doubts.
). And Two Others with Him--Christ turns to
His own honor the things designed for his shame
He saves the repentant thief on the cross, and
takes him up to paradise So he has been saving
and exalting ''the offscourings" of the race. He
then and there opened the gates Of hope to those
who, for the first hear the gospel There is no
evidence that ne had heard Jesus before. He
may not have been hardened sinner, but one Of
the worlds unfortuuates.
4. There Stood by the Cross the Maries-The
group has grown larger as the nobest and best
of women in every age have there found their
station.
5. The Disciple Whom He Loved-There is A
very great difference among good men, and some
are much more lovable than others We may
love ali men, but we cannot love all men equally
SPECIAL APPLICATION
It is finished-It was the finish of long and
weary way 1t was the closing act of fearful
tragedy. 1t was the end of His exile from heaven.
Redemptions work was doue the ransom price
was fully paid. 1t was the shout of victor and
He has won the battle against all the hosts of
darkness and death The long night is over; the
sun of righteousness begins to climb the eastern
sky. Let MS honor His work by Il understanding
its import, ~ believing its truth, t3) appopri-
atipg by faith it's benefits