On the orders of Pilate, at the meeting of the Sanhedrin, a death sentence was passed through the crucifixion of the "thief and Gentile" Jesus Christ. The accusation was based on the fact that Jesus called himself the Son of God and the Messiah who came to the land of Jerusalem in order to save a people mired in sin.
Instruction manual
1
According to the laws of that time, crucifixion took place on the frontal place - Mount Golgotha, and the cross had no religious background, then acting as nothing more than a "convenient" means of execution. Thieves, traitors and apostates were subjected to such punishment; those who committed, for example, murder or rape, were not crucified. They could be executed by being hunted by wild animals or stoned.
2
Crosses were made of a large log, the end of which was dug into the ground, and a transverse crossbar was nailed to the upper part. At the very top of the pillar was a plate on which was written the name of the crucified and the crime committed. The cross on Golgotha was to be carried by the convict himself.
3
Early on Friday morning, the procession, led by the centurion, set off for Golgotha. Jesus followed the centurion and two more robbers, who were also sentenced to be crucified on the cross. Armed guards closed the procession.
4
It is curious, but the guards did not have to ensure that the offender did not escape, but that he did not die during the ascent. Such a death was considered undeserved mercy. Sometimes, to facilitate ascents, crosses of criminals were carried by dummies - this was not prohibited by law. So it was with the exhausted interrogation of Jesus - the young man carried the cross for him.
5
The cross was a rather heavy construction, so it was assumed that its end could be dragged along the ground. It is believed that this is why the climb to Calvary was bald: the grass was simply trampled and plowed with crosses.
6
According to legend, Christ turned to the “spectators” from the top of the mountain, some of whom cried: “Daughters of Jerusalem! Do not cry for me, ” then he in his address predicted the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, mired in lies and sin, torn by strife and fear from the Roman attack troops. However, in fact, such an act was hardly possible, the criminals were forbidden to talk, and even more so to deliver speeches to the people.
7
The procession stopped at Calvary, the pillars were dug into the ground. They raised Jesus Christ, spread their hands on the crossbar and nailed their palms. The legs are also tied and nailed to a log. Blood poured, but Jesus did not utter a groan or a scream.
8
To the top of the cross was nailed the inscription "This is the king of Judah." The high priests and the Pharisees murmured, since they did not recognize Jesus Christ as King of Judah. They demanded to change the inscription "I am the King of Judea" to emphasize that Jesus Christ himself called himself that.
9
The scripture says that those who were crucified should have been drunk with water from a wet sponge strung on a pole, until they give up their spirits. Such actions prolonged the life and torment of the executed. However, according to legend, Christ was not given water, but a sponge dipped in vinegar. Jesus died at sunset.
