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What is a Cruxifixion?
Crucifixion is an ancient method of execution, in which the victim was tied or nailed to a large wooden cross (Latin: crux) and left to hang there until dead. It was a common form of execution from the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD, especially among the Persians, Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Romans. Crucifixion has gained notoriety in Christianity as a method used by the Romans to put Jesus to death, and the cross has become the main Christian symbol. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifixion)
A method of carrying out the death penalty which involved physical abuse of the victim, stripping him of all clothing, tying or nailing his arms and legs to a cross or stake, and abandoning him to die. The corpse was often partly eaten by scavengers. The body was generally denied a proper burial; it was tossed on a garbage heap. Crucifixion was widely used by Romans to execute slaves or rebels. (www.religioustolerance.org/gl_c.htm)
How does one die on the cross?
Death could come in hours or even days, depending on exact methods, the health of the crucified person and environmental circumstances. A theory attributed to Pierre Barbet holds that the typical cause of death was asphyxiation. He conjectured that when the whole body weight was supported by the stretched arms, the victim would have severe difficulty exhaling, due to hyper-expansion of the lungs. The victim would therefore have to draw himself up by his arms, or have his feet supported by tying or by a wood block. Indeed, Roman executioners were said to break the victim's legs, after he had hung for some time, in order to hasten his death. Once deprived of support and unable to lift himself, the victim would die within a few minutes. If death did not come from asphyxiation, it could result from a number of other causes, including physical shock caused by the scourging that preceded the crucifixion, and the dehydration and exhaustion. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifixion)
Pop Quiz, Hot Shot!Did you know that Jesus was crucificied as an innocent man? Did you know that He wasn't killed on the cross, but He gave up His life then instead?
Initially, the Roman Centurion and the soldier who pierced Jesus with a spear (after Jesus was dead) abused and crucified Jesus like any other criminal. They truly believed that He was a criminal, and why not, since the Chief Priests and their authorities said so? Who would be so cruel to sentence an innocent man to the most painful death anyway, right? The Holy Priests? But they're supposed to be holy. It can't be. And anyway, Jesus was "blaphemous". He claimed to be the Son of God, didn't he? So, let us put it to test! Why not? If He is the Son of God, surely, He can save himself! No?
Maximus (the Roman Centurion) and Spartacus (the soldier who pierced Jesus after He died) were the two people who had every reason, or every made belief reason to crucify Jesus. They were convinced enough that Jesus deserved the penalty, to actually execute the sentence together. The cruxifixion was something that they have learned to enjoy, because the cruxifixion was made for criminals. They were doing the people a favour when they crucified the "thorns amongst the roses". But surprisingly, at the end, Maximus and Spartacus were also the same two people who loudly proclaimed Jesus as an innocent man, and the Son of God.
Who would have thought, that the very people who abused and crucified him would be the first amongst the raging mob to realise that Jesus was really innocent? And who would have thought that they'd also be the first to proclaim that indeed, He really is the Son of God?
Surely, they must have seen something extraordinary about Jesus as they abused Him and nailed Him to the cross! Surely, it must have blown their minds, that this man died on the cross by releasing His spirit to God, instead of having his legs broken! After all, every person who hung on the cross, hangs there for hours and even up to days as birds come and eat bits of them before they actually die. The only way for the crucified to die instantly or within minutes was if the soldiers were to break their legs.
But, did Jesus really give up His spirit? If He did, then He couldn't have been a normal man if he had the power to do that now, would He? But why then, did he choose to die on the cross, humiliated, instead of bringing himself down from the cross at the very beginning?
Why? I don't understand. Or is it beyond my understanding? Was it necessary? What was he trying to prove? Why do they call him the Saviour? And what is he saving us from by dying?
"Shadows of the Cross" will be showing tomorrow night...
I can't wait.
6:26 PM
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