Jesus Crucified Between Two Thieves
Gary WhittakerShare
The Lamb Who Didn’t Come Down From the Cross
Man, Myth, Legend – Day 6 (Afternoon): Good Friday
🔹 The Man (What Actually Happened)
By midday Friday, Jesus was on His way to Golgotha—the “Place of the Skull.”
He was beaten, mocked, spit on, and forced to carry His cross until He collapsed. Simon of Cyrene was pulled from the crowd to carry it the rest of the way.
At roughly 9:00 AM, Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross between two criminals. A sign was posted above His head:
“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
Crowds gathered. Soldiers cast lots for His clothes. Religious leaders mocked Him. One of the criminals hurled insults. The other said:
“Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Jesus replied, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
At the foot of the cross, John and Mary, Jesus’ mother, stood. Jesus looked down and said:
“Woman, behold your son… Son, behold your mother.”
From noon to 3:00 PM, darkness covered the land. At the end, Jesus cried out:
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
“It is finished.”
“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
And then, He died.
At that moment:
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The Temple curtain tore in two from top to bottom
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The earth shook, rocks split
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Tombs opened and some dead were raised
A Roman centurion nearby said:
“Surely this man was the Son of God.”
Relevant disciple profiles:
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[Mary Magdalene – Delivered, loyal, first to see Jesus after the resurrection](Coming Soon)
🔹 The Myth (What People Get Wrong)
“Jesus was murdered.”
Not in the usual sense. He wasn’t overpowered. He said, “No one takes My life from Me—I lay it down.” (John 10:18). He died voluntarily, purposefully, and on time—as the ultimate Passover Lamb.
“God turned His back on Jesus.”
The cry “Why have You forsaken Me?” quotes Psalm 22, a prophetic psalm that ends in victory. This wasn’t abandonment—it was identification. Jesus was stepping into the full weight of sin, on behalf of all humanity.
“It was just a normal crucifixion.”
No. Earthquakes, darkness, torn temple veils, fulfilled prophecy, and a Roman soldier declaring Jesus divine—this was cosmic-level disruption.
🔹 The Legend (Why It Still Matters)
This is the center of the story.
Jesus didn’t just die—He finished something.
He absorbed wrath, carried sin, exposed evil, and disarmed powers—all without ever coming down from the cross.
He didn’t flinch. He didn’t retaliate. He stayed.
This is why we call it Good Friday—not because of what was done to Him, but because of what He did for us.
In the Jack Righteous Universe, this moment is the hinge: every righteous path, every second chance, every mercy—it starts here, where the Lamb stayed until it was finished.
👥 Community Note
This one hits deep. Let it.
Drop your thoughts below—especially if you’ve got a song from Suno or beyond that captures the weight, grief, and victory of the cross.
And if you missed any of the lead-up, revisit the full journey:
📖 Why the 12 Disciples Still Matter
📚 Explore the Full Passion Week Series
Walk the final days of Jesus with clarity, depth, and purpose—one day at a time:
➕ Want the bigger picture?
This article breaks down how it all fits together—and why the resurrection still disrupts, heals, and sends: