Matthew 27:34,35 (KJV), “They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink. And they crucified Him…”

Remembering what it cost Jesus to save us from an eternity separated from the love and Presence of God keeps us in a place of overflowing gratitude and appreciation. The precious blood of Jesus paid for every sin and sickness and demonic oppression that has and ever will exist - so we can live free and whole, lacking no good thing - forever! According to Jewish law, a criminal sentenced to execution was allowed to partake of a narcotic mingled together with wine to help alleviate the pain of his execution. Scripture reveals that Jesus was offered this anesthetic concoction twice. Once before His crucifixion and once while He was on the cross (Matthew 27:34,48). Both times He refused it. He knew He had to fully endure the pain and suffering to satisfy the complete penalty of the cross - for our complete ransom and redemption. In Biblical times, crucifixion was by far one of the cruelest, most brutal form of punishment. Jesus lay down on the cross beam He carried, with His arms outstretched. A Roman soldier drove a 5-inch iron nail through each of His wrists into the beam. After being hoisted up by a rope, the crossbeam was dropped into a notch on top of an upright post. As it dropped into the groove an excruciating pain shot like a bolt of electricity through His already beaten, bruised and torn body. The weight of His hanging body pulled His arms out of their sockets. His legs were positioned so that His feet pointed downwards with His soles pressed against the post He was suspended on. A long nail was driven between the bones of His feet, firmly enough between the bones to prevent it from tearing from the feet when He arched upward to gasp for a breath of air. The pressure and pain to breath became unbearable and the torment so severe, that after several hours His heart began to fail and his lungs collapsed, filling the lining of His heart and lungs with fluid. When the Roman soldier thrust his spear into His side, blood and water flowed, indicating Jesus was already dead. The Cross of Jesus Christ was shocking and appalling. It is good for us to remember what that cross looked like, so we fully appreciate the price paid. Let’s be careful to never cheapen or take lightly what He willingly endured - for us to be snatched out of the kingdom of darkness and translated into His Own victorious kingdom. The full penalty was paid so we can live and reign in life, in Him forever.