POCKET SERMON 6:
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS OF CRUCIFIXION
by Reverend Barbara Sexton
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There are not many forms of execution more gruesome than that of crucifixion. Scripture, as well as history texts, tell us that this form of punishment was reserved for outcasts, slaves and for those who were not citizens of Rome.
Several misconceptions exist regarding the practice of crucifixion. First, this was a sentence that could only be passed by Roman officials, not by the Jews. Secondly, the nails used were likely driven into the wrist and heel bones and not into the palms and front of the feet, in order to better assure that the nailings would 'hold' the weight of the victim's body. There is no indication whether or not the Cross was composed of planed wood or roughly hewn beams (I vote for the latter), but no matter, someday we will know.
An example of another crucifixion quandry confronts us when we read
that portions of 'wine' or of 'wine mixed with gaul or with myrrh' would be offered to those being crucified or about to be crucified, the very offerings Jesus refused to take. These drinks were not intended to quench the thirst, but more likely were given to deaden pain while depressing the sensation of thirst.
The following drink of wine and gaul had pain-killing properties and was traditionally provided by the women of Jerusalem, God Bless them:"There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gaul; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it." Mt 27:34 (NIV). Later on, also in the Book of Matthew, we read, "Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink." Mt 27:48 (NIV) We are not given to read that Jesus took this drink either. We read in Mark: "They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him." Mk 15:22-24 (NIV)
It is a fact that the Talmud has evidence that temple incense (containing myrrh) was to be mixed with wine for use as a pain-killer. Myrrh itself is a resin from a plant which grows in the deserts of Arabia and Africa. Considering the barbarity of crucifixion, it is not surprising that the women of the time would be instruments of God's compassion. The women of Jerusalem, in fact, serve as inspiration for myself, your humble "Biblical Biochemist". The oils and herbs and plants of old are as useful today, and even more so when combined with modern medicine.
But the details I've just outlined, with all their horror, point out to us just what a miserable and torturous business crucifixion was intended to be. Saved for the lowest of the lowest, the final blow to the subject of this form of execution would be to the lower legs, in order to hasten death. You see, once the shin bones were broken, the victim could no longer support the weight of his own body and death soon ensued by suffocation as the diaphragm and nearby organs collapsed upon themselves and simply prevented the lungs from filling completely with air. This was a handy way to finally dispatch the prisoner so that the body could be disposed of properly by sunset, though Scripture tells us that Christ died without having his legs broken.
"Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced." John 19:31-37 (NIV)
You're thinking, this is all very interesting, but what in Heaven's name does the Crucifixion have to do with CHRISTMAS? Now I will tell you.
In a generic sense, Christians must, of necessity, consider the Crucifixion to be a blessing, for without it, we would not have our Risen Savior. It is a 'means to an end', for us, to be delivered of our Messiah. It is a stark representation of 'good' overcoming the worst of humankind's actions. It is proof of Divinity in God who was also a man, something that gives us hope and encouragement and which is the essence of our faith.
But I will give you another potent vector of inspiration in the works of children I've known throughout the years. This is precisely the type of thing that can be easily overlooked, but which touches the heart once it is discerned. And here it is:
Any number of times, when young ones are asked to 'draw a picture of Jesus', we get a collection of the Lord with all colors of hair (including blue, green and rainbow!), with all colors of skin, of all body types (from stick figures to fuller bodies), in all kinds of settings and on crosses of all sizes and shapes. But let's look at the 'cross drawings' I've seen over the years. It amazes me to reveal that surprisingly often, the small child, when drawing Jesus on the Cross, will have placed a big, wide, 'smiley-face' smile on the countenance of our dear Christ! A SMILEY-FACE!
Amidst renditions of weeping people kneeling at the foot of the cross and smears of red crayola on Jesus's hands and feet, there you will see Jesus grinning widely, smiling, beaming, in fact, as he surveys the scene around him. Clearly young children intuit things three steps ahead of adults. They see in advance the happiness to come for the people in their pictures. Their God-given gift of childhood innocence allows them the perception of better things to come..and of the 'happy-ending'. They see and portray Jesus smiling when, he should be displaying signs of agony. This is not to say Jesus didn't suffer, but it is to say that youngsters are often ahead of us in understanding many mysteries of faith.
So, since Christmas is for children and children of all ages, at this time of the year I choose to picture in my mind's the 'smiley-faced' Jesus on the Cross. He's looking down and smiling at us, loving us and beaming. And we look to Him also with love and in happy anticipation and excitement of what's to come. While we don't really emphasize the Cross this time of the year, the next time you do, visualize a smiling Christ, the baby grown up, as you gaze at the little child in the manger. Look at the happy-side of that tiny child, for that's the message of Christmas and it's all good.
Merry Christmas, dear children of God. With Love, Reverend Barbara Sexton Dec. 16, 2009
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