Our punishment

Crucifixion was the most cruel of all possible methods of execution. Death came as dehydration pulled every muscle into withered straps squeezing life from every organ. The cramping of those muscles began almost immediately as bonds held arms in unnaturally extended position bearing the body weight. The nails piercing the wrist where nerves went to the brain increased this cramping that caused severe neck and shoulder pain. The shock to the system caused fluids to gather in the abdomen, increasing the weight on the arms. If this punishment was for the broken covenant, what is the punishment for those who refuse to accept God's covenant provision? If we could comprehend what that punishment is, we would never let the unsaved go heedlessly into it without warning. At whatever cost to ourselves, we would sound the alarm.

The accounts of the crucifixion are not dwelt on with much detail in the Scriptures. The ones for whom the gospels were written knew well the process of crucifixion. It had become for Rome the main method of execution. Historically, if the governor of Rome chose not to use this method, he had another choice that was not public knowledge. A Centurion, leader of 100 soldiers, would take the prisoner away from the sight of onlookers, and offer them the "pot" provided by the governor. This money was to be given to the one soldier who could kill the prisoner. The hundred men would line up according to the straw drawn for his position in the line. The prisoner would be tied to a post short enough to let his head be above the post and the soldiers would strike the prisoner in the face with his fist. The one who killed the prisoner would get the money. It was important to be first in line, or close to the first, for few men could live through such a beating. But Jesus said no man took his life from Him, but He laid it down. The anger in those 100 men who could not kill Him was vented on Jesus in ridicule and cruelty. Matthew 27:27-31 (NLT) 27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Isaiah 52:14 (NLT) 14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.
David describes this punishment for our sin prophetically. Psalm 22:12-18 (NLT) 12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! 13 Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. 14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. 15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. 16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. 17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. 18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.