The Scientific Death of Jesus

I thought that this article from Time magazine would be interesting in light of the one from Newsweek that stated:

"According to the American Religious Identification Survey the percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 percentage points since 1990, from 86 to 76 percent.

Fewer people now think of the United States as a "Christian nation" than did so when George W. Bush was president (62 percent in 2009 versus 69 percent in 2008). 

Two thirds of the public (68 percent) now say religion is "losing influence" in American society, while just 19 percent say religion's influence is on the rise. 

The proportion of Americans who think religion "can answer all or most of today's problems" is now at a historic low of 48 percent. During the Bush 43 and Clinton years, that figure never dropped below 58 percent."

So, who is Jesus?  

Why did he choose to die, and how did he meet his historical demise? 

 

Jesus of Nazareth, a Galilean Jew who was regarded as a teacher and a healer, was charged with sedition against the Roman Empire for claiming to be the Holy Son of God. 

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty – He was crucified.

   

At this time in history, death by crucifixion was reserved for only the worst of criminals. Large sharp nails, about 15 to 20 cm long each with a point of 6 cm, were carved into the pulses -- not into the palms as you’re typically told, as the flesh of your palm would simply tear from the weight of your body.

 

In the pulse, there’s a tendon that extends to your shoulder, and when the nails were hammered in, it would break that tendon.  

 

This forced Jesus to use all the muscles of his back in order to breathe, as the air was forced from his lungs by the weight of his torso. In this way, Jesus had to support himself onto the single nail carved into his feet, which was bigger than those driven into his pulses, as both feet were carved together. 

Since his feet could not endure for a long time without tearing, Jesus was forced to alternate that “cycle” in order to breathe.

It is believed the process of crucifixion took several hours to complete.  Jesus endured this cruelty for 3 hours.

 

A few minutes before He died, Jesus was no longer bleeding, for he had no blood left in his body. He was simply pouring water from his cuts and holes.

 

The human body is composed of nearly 3.5 liters of blood (for adults). Jesus shed every drop of His blood. He had three nails hammered into his members; a crown of thorns on his head and a spear plunged into his chest by a Roman soldier insured his demise.

Added to his suffering was the burden of carrying his own cross for almost 2 kilometers, weighing 30 kilograms while the crowd spat on his face and threw stones.

 

Why Did Jesus Choose to Die?

Christians believe that Jesus had to pass this excruciating experience so that all the sins of the world could be forgiven. New Testament writers claim that Jesus’ death fulfills the Old Testament prophecies, which point to a servant who would be punished for the sins of others.

 

Isaiah 53:5, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

  

Christians believe that Jesus willingly sacrificed himself in the same way that lambs were once sacrificed as a symbolic way of atoning for sin. 

  

Centuries later, it remains the most beautiful and poignant expression of love, humility and sacrifice.

 

Share This Story With People You Care About 

It’s so easy to forward jokes and amusing stories by e-mail. Why not send a different kind of message for a change?

 

This Easter, take a minute to forward this rare message of love to the people who are closest to you.

SPY WEDNESDAY; Prayerful Pacquiao

SPY WEDNESDAY; Prayerful Pacquiao

By:  Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD

2008, Manila Bulletin (Holy Wednesday)

Once a painter wanted to draw a picture of innocence.  He found Rupert, a little child and painted him kneeling beside his mother at prayer.  The painter valued the painting of young Rupert above all else.  He hung it prominently in his study, labeling it “Innocence.”

Years later when the artist was old, he had often thought of painting a counterpart – the picture of guilt.

One day he purposely visited a neighboring prison.  On the damp floor of the cell lay a man shackled with iron.  His body was horribly wasted, his eyes hollow, years of a life of vices reflected on his face.  The man was perfect subject for his painting on guilt.  When he was through, he asked the condemned man his name.

His answer: “Rupert!”

The painter was aghast.  It was the same person who inspired him to be his model for innocence many years ago.

The fate of Rupert may be compared to one of Jesus, trusted apostles, Judas Iscariot.  No doubt Jesus chose him in the beginning for his good qualities.  It’s been recorded that he was more educated and gifted than his peers who were simple, rugged fishermen, to which group he was assigned as treasurer.

But like Rupert, he degenerated into a vicious thief and traitor.

Holy Wednesday commemorates the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, thus the traditional name, “Spy Wednesday.”

The purpose of highlighting that tragic incident is to provoke us into examining our behavior as Christians.  For isn’t it a fact, at times, we’re not much different from Judas?

Don’t we betray Christ in the way we live?

He is a “Judas”:

One who is a recipient of a special favor from a benefactor, but slanders and malign him or her.

For Filipinos, walang utang na loob (ingratitude), like ungrateful children towards their parents, is “unforgivable”.

A government official who accepts bribe money to approve a dubious deal, or a judge who favors a litigant in exchange for a “cash-unduan” is a modern day Judas.

This is a very timely occasion to confront the truth about ourselves.

-ooo000ooo-

PRAYER POWER.  Despite his human frailties, Manny Pacquiao, never forgets to pray unabashedly in all his fights.  Notice how he came out as usual wearing the rosary in his March 16 bout wherein he wrested the world super featherweight crown.

Well, his opponent was wearing it too, which must have been hard for Someone up there whom to favor.  But with so many Pinoys here and abroad praying, Marquez must have been “out-prayed.”  Obviously, there were other factors in the victory, like training, stamina and strategy.  Notice, too, how Manny knelt down before the start of the match and mumbled a prayer; ten made the sign of the cross.  After winning the bloody match, he knelt down again at his corner and said a prayer of thanks.  The success of Manny could also be attributed to the agonizing prayer of his mother Dionicia, who did not watch the bout but kept on praying in front of their family altar.  As the old saying goes, “God help those who help themselves.”