Three Deaths

     There were three deaths within two or three years of each other— a beheading, a crucifixion, and a stoning. The beheading was John the Baptist. (Mark 6:27) It seems that beheading was the usual form of execution in those days. It was quick and easy for the executioner and, for Herod, it involved merely a few words of condemnation—uncaring, no remorse, no answering to Rome. It was easily done, easily forgotten, with minimal pain to the victim.

        On the other hand, Stephen was stoned to death. This was the typically Jewish form of execution. Stephen reviewed the history of the Jewish people, then provoked his audience by a deliberate accusation of, “You stiff-necked people!” (Acts 7:51) The audience degenerated to a mob-mentality, and lost all conscience. Stephen died under their fit of rage but again with “minimal” pain, after the first crush of stones against him. And again, at least in this case, there seemed to be no repercussions with Rome.

        Finally, we have crucifixion. We’ve been told that this was the most torturous death ever devised by man. It was slow, it was agonizing, it was public and it was shameful. And, if ordered by the governor, it had Rome’s blessing.

        So, why was Jesus crucified? I don’t think crucifixion was a requirement of His sacrifice for us. Instead, God showed his prophets what was going to happen, and it was death on a tree. For instance, Isaiah says, (Isa.53:5), “He was pierced for our transgressions”; and Zechariah says, “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” (Zech.12:10) Moses lifted up the serpent on a pole in the wilderness, just as the Messiah would be lifted up. (John 3:14) It seems that the elders and chief priests wanted more than just to kill Him, they wanted, in a vindictive, jealous way, to torture Him as he died.

        Thus, Stephen’s comments were true: “You have betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.” (Acts 7:51) But, thank God, Stephen’s prayer has also come true. The Apostle Paul was proof and so are we, to this day— “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”