As Good Friday approaches, we are reminded of the profound significance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This year, I realized why Jesus was killed on a cross rather than any other way, as the crucifixion holds deep meaning. The reason is revealed in Genesis, during the fall.
Jesus understood His Father’s divine plan required this specific unfolding. The crucifixion parallels the fall of man, marking the beginning of atonement. Reflecting on the symbolism of this pivotal event highlights the stark contrast in the temptation faced in the Garden of Eden. Satan tempted Eve to “take and eat” of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:5), a moment that led to our downfall. In contrast, Jesus, on the night of His betrayal, offered bread to represent His body with the same words (Matthew 26:26), but this time, it signifies our path to redemption, reconciliation, and life.
Jesus died on a cross made from a tree (1 Peter 2:24). And it’s significant to remember that sin entered the world through the action of Adam and Eve, who took from a tree (Genesis 3:6).
In this act of sacrifice, we see the duality of creation and redemption. Just as the hands of Jesus were pierced (John 20:25-27), so too did Eve stretch out her hands to take from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:6). Their choice led to separation from God, while Christ’s hands, broken and bleeding, invite us back into fellowship with the Father.
The piercing of Christ’s side (John 19:34) was a reminder of creation. Eve, the first woman, was formed from the side of Adam (Genesis 2:21-22). In this, we find that Christ, through His sacrifice, atoned not just for Adam, but for Eve, and indeed for all of humanity. The piercing of His side liberated us from the very curse that began in the Garden of Eden.
The imagery continues with the prophecy that references the feet of Jesus being pierced (John 20:25). This act echoes Genesis 3:15, where the the serpent’s seed is prophesied to strike the heel of the woman’s seed (Jesus) and the seed of the woman is prophesied to crush the serpent’s head.
The crown of thorns placed upon His head (Mark 15:17) is a reminder of the curse that God pronounced upon the ground stating it would produce thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:17-18). In doing this, Jesus takes this curse upon himself, breaking it, and restoring the blessings of God over our lives.
As we reflect on His suffering, we recognize Jesus as the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), the one who came to address the fall and its implications. He was stripped of everything (John 19:23), unlike Adam and Eve who tried to clothe themselves with fig leaves, seeking to cover their shame (Genesis 3:21). Christ’s bareness serves not just as a mark of humiliation, but shows His willingness to bear our shame and sin to give us a chance to be redeemed.
Lastly, after the fall, mankind became subject to death (Genesis 2:17). However, the resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:16), demonstrated His victory over death. This event symbolizes that all who live in Christ are promised everlasting life, as affirmed in John 3:16. Through this contrast, His coming back to life highlights the transformation from humanity’s mortality to the hope of eternal life found in Jesus Christ.
On this Good Friday, let us remember that the cross is not just a symbol of redemption; it is a proclamation of hope, love, and restoration. Through His suffering, Christ opened the door to eternal life, allowing us to overcome the fall and embrace the fullness of God’s promises.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17