The third step in the crucifixion of Christ was the fixing of Jesus’ hands to cross with spikes. Everything up to this point had been done to prepare Jesus for death. The fixing of the hands began the actual execution. The hands were rendered powerless and left the body suspended in a way that suffocation resulted. As gravity pulled the body down constricting the abdominal cavity, respiratory function was progressively restricted and breathing became impossible. The fixing of the hands was a mechanical technique designed to produce a specific physiological result. The fixing of hands was designed to not only produce the desired physical response but it was also designed to remove the victims power to stop the process.
The crucifixion of self-will also requires that we fix our hands to the cross so that we will keep them out of God’s business and allow Him to work His truth into our mind and spirit. This is so the life of Christ may be reflected in and through us. The fixing of hands can be seen as a symbol of faith and allowing God to do with us as he pleases. It is only by faith that God’s truth can be appropriated and faith requires us to trust Him. As faith grows, God’s will begins to reign. I open my arms to the restriction of the cross and by faith I accept God’s truth. I keep my hands out of God’s business so His truth can do its work.
The way I put my hands in God’s business is to buy into the idea that my will and what I want is better for me than God’s will and what He wants. When I know God’s truth and I question whether it is appropriate for me I am putting my hands in His business. When I rationalize what I want to do and make excuses for myself I am putting my hands in His business. When I believe that I can define truth, define God and define right and wrong I am putting my hands in God’s business. Engaging my faith in God’s truth and allowing that truth to be appropriated experientially is the prerequisite for the death of self. The way truth is appropriated experientially is through obedience, which leads us to the fourth step in the crucifixion process.
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