we will come to the most graphic and sobering passage in all of Scripture — Matthew 27:32–56, the account of Jesus’ crucifixion.
There are moments in God’s Word that comfort us, and then there are moments that stop us in our tracks. This passage does the latter. Matthew doesn’t allow us to hurry past the cross or soften what took place. He slows us down and makes us walk every step — not to shock us, but so we don’t miss the cost of our salvation.
We will begin on the road to the cross, where a man named Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the crossbeam for Jesus. What Simon does unwillingly, Jesus does willingly. It’s a powerful picture of how God often interrupts lives — through hardship, injustice, or loss — and draws people to Himself in ways they never planned. Simon carried a cross for Jesus, and Jesus carried the cross for Simon… and for us.
From there, we arrive at Golgotha. Matthew records the moment with just four devastating words: “There they crucified Him.” No explanation. No defense. The Son of God is nailed between heaven and earth while soldiers gamble for His clothes and religious leaders mock Him with Scripture they do not understand. He is numbered with criminals — not because He failed, but because He was bearing our sin in our place.
As the event unfolds, darkness falls over the land. Jesus cries out, not in despair, but in substitution — experiencing separation so that we never would. And when He yields His spirit, the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom. God opens the way. The barrier is gone. Access is granted.
We’ll see creation itself respond, and a hardened Roman centurion confess, “Truly this was the Son of God.” We’ll also notice the quiet faithfulness of women who stayed when others fled — reminding us that love doesn’t always fix things, but it refuses to leave.
This is not an easy passage. But it is a necessary one. If this is what sin required, then sin is not small. And if this is what love looks like, then love is not safe — but it is saving.
