The cross is as central to living the Christian life as it is to entering into it.” - Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Who Is Jesus? However, most people in the Bible felt like God was far away from them at one point in their journey. Think about Hannah whose only hope in life was to have a baby. Or Joseph who was sold into slavery. What about Moses who never got to enter the Promised Land? Even though the Bible may not articulate that these people felt far from God, I imagine that their circumstances created that tension. And then, of course, there was Jesus Himself who asked, " My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ( Matthew 27:46). In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

Earlier on His journey to the cross, Jesus refused to accept a drink that would dull the pain. But now, in His final moments, He takes the drink of a commoner, from the branch of a hyssop plant which is used for Passover. Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:28-30Therefore, don't get so caught up in your good works that you forget to know God. Make it your goal to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well ( Matthew 6:33). a b c Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Origin of the Name of Jesus Christ". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Both St. Paul and the Psalmist refer to enemies. The Lord prepares a table before the Psalmist’s enemies, while St. Paul talks about death as the last enemy to be destroyed, at the end of time, when God will be all in all. Galey, John (1986). Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine. American University in Cairo Press. p.92. ISBN 977-424-118-5. Jesus represents God's love for us in what we now call the Parable of the Prodigal Son (see Luke 15:11-24). In that allegory, the father openly and lovingly receives his son even though the son had run away, squandered all of his money, and insulted the father. In the same way, God loves us unconditionally.

a b c Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Messiah". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY:" It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed..." - Deuteronomy 31:8 What Do 'Messiah' and 'Jesus Christ' Mean?. Both Christ and Messiah mean anointed or anointed one". January 26, 2011. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016 . Retrieved September 17, 2018. anointing was a rite of kingship in Syria-Palestine in the fourteenth century BCE. If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Where Was Jesus Crucified? 

The details are graphic, and the process meant to humiliate and prolong profound pain. It was used from the 6th century to the 4th century, ending with the reign of the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire, Constantine the Great. However, it has returned sporadicallyover the centuries as an extreme method of persecution.