Putting Christ Back on the Cross

Crucifixion was a horrible way to die. The Romans meant for it to be so. It was to be so as a deterrent to crime and as a way to control the populace by an exercise of the power of the state. Some historians have drawn a comparison to the practice of hanging in our old west. I am given to understand, however, that a properly done hanging resulted in a rather quick death. This was not the case with crucifixion.

We know then that Jesus suffered a terrible death for us. Hebrews 2:9 says, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than then angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death or every man.” The Lord laid down His life for us (John 15:13). On some human level He wanted that cup to pass from Him but He knew what had to be done and He did it (Matthew 26:39).

In John 19:30 Jesus is quoted as saying “It is finished.” He died that one redemptive death. Only He could do it and He was to do this great thing once and only once (Hebrews 9).

Now the question: Would you put Him back on the cross?

And the answer comes back: No! Never! We could not conceive of causing Him to suffer that ignominious death again. But, you know, some Christians did that very thing. We have the record of it in the book of Hebrews, chapter 6, verses 4-6. Read God’s Word: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” This is from the NKJV which follows the KJV in using the “if.” The “if” got there as a result of theologians devoted to the doctrine of once saved, always saved. Note that the margin of the NKJV has in place of this “if” simply, “and have fallen away.” That Christians can fall away is sad, obvious and undeniable.

But now note the context. The author (I believe it was Paul) is trying to convince Hebrew Christians to remain faithful to Christ. They must not go back to the mutilated form of Judaism from which they have recently escaped. These people had been spiritual children. They had not progressed. Paul places before them the situation of those who run the risk of entering a state of unfaithfulness so deep and dire that they cannot recover. Those who do such things in a way send the Lord back to the cross.

It is as if, for them, He had not given Himself for them. For them His redemptive work was a waste of time, of love, and yes, of blood. Paul painted a brutal picture, one from which a citizen of Rome in the first century would surely recoil. It seems that Paul thought he would reach some of them for he said, “But beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you.” He hoped to draw them back from the abyss with the thought of sending Jesus to the cross again.

What of us? Might we find ourselves in some way worthy of these verses? I trust not, but we must be careful. What about when we are unfaithful? What about when we do not worship? What about when we don’t give or don’t work? What about when we gossip and gainsay? What about when we sin? Is a convenient lie worth sending Jesus back to the cross? Is a drink? Is a dalliance with immorality? Is selfishness? Is materialism? Is anything this world offers worth sending Him back there?

Surely, once we reflect on the whole thing, the answer is always going to be, No! But that is the problem, isn’t it? Sometimes we don’t think about sin carefully enough. Maybe we will, once we think about crucifying the Son of God afresh.

Bill Irby

Hobbs Street Church of Christ