At Liberty Station in Point Loma are the 52 Boats Memorial. I came upon it by accident, but it struck me in a way I’ll never forget. Two long walkways contain waist high memorials of over 3500 American submariners that lost their lives during WWII. As I read their names and their stories I sobered up and even choked up at the same time. Most of these guys were just kids. They had their whole lives ahead of them. I’ve already lived twice as long as most of them. Why? Why did this happen? We know why. They gave up their lives sacrificially to stop evil and to protect others.

After being falsely arrested and tried in the middle of the night, Jesus was handed over to the Romans under the governance of Pontius Pilate. Pilate discerned Jesus’ innocence and sought to let Him go free. But the Jewish leadership threatened Pilate that a release would mean he is not a friend of Caesar, because those who make themselves a king oppose Caesar (John 19:12). Not being able to convince them, Pilate gave in and ordered Jesus to be flogged and crucified.

Following a severe flogging to His body, Jesus was required to carry His own cross (just the horizontal bar) to the place of the skull (Golgotha). He was unable and stumbled. Simon of Cyrene was forced into service to help Jesus carry it the rest of the way. Jesus was then laid down on the cross, nailed to it through His wrists and His feet and hoisted up to die a slow death by asphyxiation (suffocation).

On the cross Jesus endured the public shame of dying a criminal’s death. He was publicly humiliated by others and endured the wrath of God. Why would Jesus do all of this? What could be so important that He didn’t cry out, “I am innocent; let me go!” Why Jesus did this is simple—to atone for the sins of God’s people. The punishment owed God for lying, cheating, lusting, adultery, murder, idolatry, and every sin committed, was taken up by Jesus. God poured out His judgment for sins once-for-all upon Him instead of us, so we could be forgiven and have new and everlasting life.

Jesus’ death was the most unique death in history. No other death did or could do what His did—the forgiveness of sins. Sin has plagued every human being since our first parents fell into it. But now sin has met its match. Sin has been atoned for. Sin has been dealt with. Sin has been forgiven. Sin is the one who really has been laid to rest.

Application: Trust in Jesus’ sacrificial death alone for the forgiveness of your sins.

Prayer: Alone, abandoned, and in great pain you paid for the sins of God’s people. Publicly humiliated as a criminal yet God’s perfect sacrifice you were. We praise you faithful Lord! Thank you for your great love and mercy.