41 of 160

Write now Article Tools

Page 9 of 9

do this; so he stabbed Jesus in the side with a spear. Not the standard killing blow by any means.

Wikipedia claims that the length of time required to reach death by crucifixion could range from a matter of hours to a number of days, depending on exact methods, the health of the crucified person and environmental circumstances. They don't mention however, one's will to survive, or the focus or training one might have received that could enable a person to survive even the toughest of punishments. Indeed even the weather on the day of Jesus crucifixion could have played a role in his survival. Even, the vinegar he was reportedly given. And do we have all the information about what actually transpired on that day? Obviously, we do not.

It was believed that when the whole body weight of a person was supported by the stretched arms, the condemned would have severe difficulty inhaling, due to hyper-expansion of the lungs while suspended upon the cross. The condemned would therefore have to draw himself up by his arms, or have his feet supported by tying or by a wood block. Roman executioners could be asked to break the condemned'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 condemned 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, the nailing itself, dehydration, and exhaustion.

It was, however, quite possible to survive crucifixion, and there are records of people who did. The historian Josephus, a Judaean who defected to the Roman side during the Jewish uprising of AD66 - 72, describes finding two of his friends crucified. He begged for and was granted their reprieve; one died, the other recovered. Josephus gives no details of the method or duration of crucifixion before their reprieve.

So, what comes of all this?

For one thing, the creation of the bible is in no way perfect or extremely accurate. Jesus could very well have lived to rise again. Considering the disconnectedness of the authors of the bible, the events and the documentation of events, the possibility of misperception, exaggeration and disinformation even if only by way of omissions, is more than simply possible. If Jesus had survived having been killed, it only makes sense he would leave the country. It also only makes sense for him to leave a great span of distance between himself and those who tried to kill him.

Going to a place at that time, where he had lived a majority of his life, also makes a good deal of sense. For him to have such different views from those he was raised with, would undoubtedly require him to be in a region far removed from his homeland and belief system. Buddhism and Hinduism are the biggest and most reasonable sources for his new way of thinking; then in synthesizing those to Judaism, it is only a minor step to get to where Jesus found himself at the peak of his theological teachings.

Consider the difficult life for Jesus in Palestine during his day, compared to the more enlightened way of living, during that same time in India, or Tibet. Add to that, his scourging and attempted murder by State and one could understand his decision, if it was even his decision, to permanently move to a friendlier, much safer and more reasonable land

There is in the end, almost a kind of correct irony to it. Now, ask yourself. What, do you believe?

Learn more about this author, JZ Murdock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• ...
• 7
• 8
• 9

Add your voice

Know something about Is the Bible trustworthy??
We want to hear your view. Write now!