“And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus the King of the Jews.’ Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left” (Matt 27:33-38).
According to tradition, the crucifixion of Jesus took place over the burial spot of Adam’s skull. Jesus, the second Adam, died over the first Adam. Jesus found himself as man to be in solidarity with Adam and Eve and all their sons and daughters. And so, at the time of his death, he went to the place of the dead. He had lived out his human life to its proper end, and all that was left for him to do was to follow Adam to Hades. He had taken upon himself the ramifications of Adam’s sin. He said yes to God, yes to God’s justice. He did not deny God nor any of God’s claims about humanity. But he did so saying by yes to humanity. He gave his yes to the world. He embraced both God and man with his love.
Crucified beside Jesus were two thieves. St Hilary of Poitiers tells us that this was “to signify that the entire human race is called to the sacrament of the Lord’s Passion.” For it is at the Passion that the eschatological judgment is found. We shall all die. We shall all find ourselves condemned beside Christ. But it is our relationship with Christ in his Passion which will lead to God’s final decision upon us. We shall all be judged. Will we, like St Dismas, come before Christ and judge ourselves worthy of condemnation and plead for mercy? “And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds” (Luke 23:41). One thief crucified his self beside Christ. Shall we join in with him and await the glorious resurrection?
Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is king of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon His face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails. The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We venerate thy Passion, O Christ. Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection. (Fifteenth Antiphon of the Matins of Holy Friday)
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