Scriptures: Matthew 27:50-54, Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 11:1, 7:14, 53:12, 42:14, 53:6, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 11:12, Psalm 22:16, Matthew 27:35, 28:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18, Romans 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:10

The passion of Jesus Christ--the detailed account of His torture and death--is a true story that provokes many questions. Despite the popular blockbuster movie that showed in agonizing scenes what Jesus went through from His trial to the cross, many are left wondering, "Who was Jesus, really? Why did He die, and what am I supposed to do with that knowledge?" From the physical pain He endured to the spiritual punishment He bore, the crucifixion of Jesus is a central element of the gospel. In this message, Dr. Merritt walks through the events with painstaking accuracy to arrive at a Christ-centered and hopeful conclusion.

"Jesus was already in critical condition before He was even nailed to the cross, but the worst was yet to come. No other form of capital punishment has ever been invented in history that is more cruel and torturous than crucifixion. It was so terrible that only slaves, foreigners, and the vilest of criminals were crucified." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: passion, torture, crucifixion, Jesus Christ, death, wood, tree, Golgotha, movie, Mel Gibson, execution, Roman Empire, flogging, scourging, crown of thorns, Via Dolorosa, sinners, cross, bore, punishment