Jesus on the Wooden Cross
To understand why the sinless Jesus had to die on the wooden cross,
the kind of cross where cursed people were executed.
Reading Scripture: Galatians 3:13–14 (NASB) “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’—
in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,
so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Reference Verse: Isaiah 53:4–6 (NASB) “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”
The cross was a cruel instrument of execution and, spiritually, a symbol of curse.
However, the only begotten Son of God, Jesus, came to this world in the flesh, and He was crucified on the wooden cross to save all mankind.
Through this, the cross no longer carried the meaning of curse, but became the symbol of the Lord’s boundless love and salvation.
Because Jesus took all the curses of mankind upon Himself on the cross, we have received salvation and can now enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. The Reason Jesus Was Crucified on the Wooden Cross
There is a deep spiritual meaning behind why Jesus shed His blood on the wooden cross. Based on Galatians 3:13–14, let us look at three reasons why Jesus shed His blood on the cross.
1) To Redeem Us from the Curse of the Law
Galatians 3:13 (NASB) says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’”
By being crucified on the wooden cross, Jesus redeemed all mankind from the curse of the Law. When the first man, Adam, sinned, all his descendants became sinners and were condemned to walk the path of death. As Romans 6:23 (NASB) says, “For the wages of sin is death,” all humanity was under the curse of the Law.
To redeem people from this curse, according to the spiritual law, one had to bear the curse and die on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23). Therefore, Jesus took the curse in our place and was crucified on the wooden cross to save all mankind. Through this, the way was opened for us to be freed from the curse of the Law and to receive the right to become children of God.
Leviticus 17:11–14 (NASB) says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood… for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” The physical body lives through the blood; without blood, there is death. In the same way, for us to gain eternal life, our sins must be forgiven through the shedding of blood.
Hebrews 9:22 (NASB) says, “According to the Law, almost all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Therefore, in the Old Testament, people offered sacrifices with the blood of animals whenever they sinned.
But when the time came, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, shedding His pure and sinless blood once for all, opening the way for all people to receive complete forgiveness and eternal life.
Now we no longer need to sacrifice animals; by believing in Jesus Christ, all our sins are forgiven, and we can receive salvation.
2) To Bring Abraham’s Blessing to the Gentiles
Galatians 3:14 (NASB) says, “In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles.”
Jesus was crucified on the wooden cross so that the blessing promised to Abraham, the father of faith, might come not only to the chosen people of Israel but also to everyone who receives Jesus as Savior and is made righteous through faith.
The Bible tells us that Abraham was called the father of faith and the friend of God. He was blessed with children, health, long life, and wealth—every blessing one could enjoy on earth.
Genesis 22:17–18 (NASB) explains why Abraham was greatly blessed: “Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
When God told Abraham, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1), he obeyed by faith. When God commanded, “Offer your son, your only son Isaac, as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2), he also obeyed without excuse or hesitation. He believed that God was able to raise the dead (Hebrews 11:19).
Because of this firm and unshakable faith, Abraham received God’s great love and blessing, becoming the father of faith and the source of blessing. Therefore, whoever receives Jesus—who died on the wooden cross for us—as Savior, and possesses the same faith as Abraham, can also enjoy all the blessings that Abraham received.
3) To Give Us the Promise of the Holy Spirit through Faith
Galatians 3:14 (NASB) says, “…so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” This means that everyone who believes in Jesus, who was crucified on the wooden cross, is freed from the curse of the Law and receives the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith.
When we receive Jesus as our Savior, we gain the right to become children of God, and as a sign of that, we receive the Holy Spirit as a gift (John 1:12; Romans 8:16).
Those who have received the Holy Spirit can call God “Abba, Father,” and their names are written in the Book of Life in Heaven—they become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
When the Holy Spirit, who is the heart and power of God, comes into us, He helps us understand God’s Word and live in the truth. He gives us faith from above and helps us reach eternal life.
Romans 10:9 (NASB) says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This means that salvation comes not only by confessing Jesus as Lord but also by truly believing that He broke the power of death and rose again.
Before we received Jesus, we were slaves to the devil, suffering trials, pain, and ultimately destined for eternal punishment in Hell. But when we received the Lord and were filled with the Holy Spirit, we became children of God—able to enjoy salvation, eternal life, and the glory of resurrection.
2. The Suffering Jesus Endured on the Cross
During the time of Jesus, the execution methods for criminals were cruel and terrifying. Some were killed by the sword, others were thrown into a den of lions, some were tied to corpses and buried together, and some were crucified on a wooden cross. Among these, crucifixion was the most severe and brutal form of execution. So, what kind of suffering did Jesus endure on the cross?
The method of crucifixion involved tying a person to a large wooden cross and driving huge nails through both hands and feet, leaving the person hanging for hours until death.
If one were executed by beheading, the pain would end instantly. But on the cross, death came only after long hours of bleeding and suffocation, so the agony was beyond description.
The weight of the body tore at the nailed hands and feet, and the pain of breathing became unbearable.
Jesus wore a crown of thorns on His head. His whole body, torn by whips, was covered with blood. Under the burning sun, He hung on the wooden cross for many hours, suffering in pain.
The smell of blood drew insects that clung to His wounded body and bit into His flesh.
On top of this, the wicked mocked Him, saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
(Matthew 27:39–40, NASB)
The crucifixion of Jesus brought unimaginable suffering that no human could endure. However, what truly caused Jesus the greatest pain was not the physical agony, nor the mockery and scorn of men. It was the sorrow for the souls who did not understand the meaning of His suffering—those whose hearts remained hardened and unbelieving, still walking the path of death.
We must always remember the suffering of our Lord on the cross and never forget His grace and love. Let us live each day with gratitude, showing the fragrance of Christ, asking ourselves how we can repay the grace of the Lord who redeemed us from the curse of the Law.