He Was Nailed

He Was Nailed

Read Colossians 2:13-15

Hi there and welcome to Reedy's Devotional Moments. Easter is the most significant period for Christians as millions across the planet remember the death of Jesus Christ and then celebrate His resurrection.

When Leisl and I journeyed on the wonderful Savannahlander through the gulf country of northern Queensland, one of our stops was at Barwidgi. At Barwidgi we hopped out to have morning tea and a look around and I went for a brief walk along the track and found some disused iron nails that were once used to fasten tracks. This is one of them. It’s heavy, long, and quite thick.

Apparently, the nails used by various ancient cultures were similar. Archaeologist have discovered many nails that are believed to be used by the ancients for crucifixions. In fact, back in the 1990s archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority excavated a Jewish burial cave from the first century AD. The cave contained 12 ossuaries which are limestone boxes that Jews of this period traditionally placed the bones of the deceased once the bodies had decomposed. One of the ossuaries had an inscription with the name “Caiaphas” and another with the words “Joseph son of Caiaphas.” Several scholars believe that this cave was the family tomb of the high priest whom the Gospels say handed over Jesus to Pontius Pilate and the Romans to be executed. What has caused interest and speculation is that one of these boxes contained two ancient nails. The Israeli geologist who led the research found microscopic traces of wood and bone embedded in the metal nails, which they say strongly indicates that these 2,000-year-old nails were at least involved in “a” crucifixion. Many have speculated if these were the actual nails used to crucify Jesus of Nazareth?

When I hold this nail, I think of the pain that Jesus endured having at least three similar nails hammered through His body onto the cross. How awful. Peter who probably witnessed the crucifixion declared fifty days later: “…and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:23 NIV). Nailed to the cross. Just awful. The pain. The Blood. And then death.

Years later, the Apostle Paul took up the symbolism of the nails and wrote what crucifixion of Jesus Christ means. He says, “…He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:13-15 NIV).

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, remember that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, had nails like this hammered into his arms and legs. As the nails were driven through His body onto the wooden cross so too were your sins. Jesus died so that you would be forgiven.

Let’s pray. Dear Jesus. Thank you for dying for us. I can’t imagine the horrific pain you endured with every blow from the hammered that drove those nails through Your body onto that cross. I’m sorry that my sins took You to the cross. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.