It would be utter folly to try and improve upon the pathos of the biblical account. Therefore, here is Matthew’s version of the crucifixion of the Christ. (A few of my comments follow the inspired text.)

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Mt 27:32-54, ESV)

Encouragement/takeaway: Today I closed my office door and read Matthew’s account. No one who knows me will be surprised that I wept as I read it.

He told them exactly what they would do. And they did it all. He told them exactly who they were. And they proved it. He said who he was, and they mocked him. And yet he lived it out till the cross and even beyond the cross, just as he had said.

Here was the only truly fully good man ever. And the world system hated him because of that. It’s tragedy at a level unsurpassed. I don’t care if it’s in Milton, Dante, Shakespeare, McCarthy, Faulkner, Aeschylus, Euripedes, Sophocles, or another. I’ve studied them all. No one was like the Christ. No man ever spoke and lived like that–not even close.

For those who might find themselves within the hearing of the gospel this Sunday, pay attention. Even if the speaker is weak, unprepared, self-absorbed, or worse, don’t focus on that. Focus on the truth of the message: This God of consummate glory came for sinners. And as such, you qualify. Listen to him; study him; read his Word. And come. You are welcome.