The third person or group of people we will study in our series is the Jews. The Jews wanted to crucify Him. Matthew 27:22 says, “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.” The Jews had sought to kill Jesus for quite some time (John 5:16, 18).
Now no one can literally crucify Jesus again. But the term “crucify” is used in a metaphorical way in the New Testament. That is, its use represents something other than a physical crucifixion. For instance, Hebrews 6:4-6 says, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” It is very plain from this passage that the crucifixion mentioned here is not literal, but it is a very graphical way to depict the seriousness of falling away.
Someone who has fallen away to sin has figuratively crucified someone who was once their Savior (2 Peter 2:20-22). This passage directly opposes the “once saved, always saved” doctrine of the Calvinist. According to the Bible, when you turn away from Jesus after becoming a Christian, you might as well pick up the nails and drive them back in His hands. Will you do that? What will YOU do with Jesus?
Kyle Campbell
