It took Jesus six hours to die on the cross. How do I know that for sure? I know that for sure because everyone remarked on it and then wrote about it. some background and context is required on this one so buckle up.
Crucifixion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 B.C. It is quite possibly the most painful death ever invented by humankind. The English language derives the word “excruciating” from crucifixion, acknowledging it as a form of slow, painful suffering.
The Romans perfected crucifixion for 500 years until it was abolished by Constantine I in the 4th century AD. Crucifixion in Roman times was applied mostly to slaves, disgraced soldiers, Christians and foreigners - only very rarely to Roman citizen.
Death, usually occurred (and wait for this one) between six hours and up to FOUR DAYS. Death was usually due to multifactorial pathology i.e., the after-effects of the compulsory scourging and maiming, haemorrhage and dehydration causing hypovolaemic shock and pain, but the most important factor was progressive asphyxia caused by impairment of respiratory movement.
In researching this topic, I found out why Jesus had a group of soldiers at the bottom of his particular cross. They were the guys who drew lots so that one of them could take the cloak home that they put on him. It turns out they were there to ensure he stayed put on his cross!
Hundreds of people were left to die on crosses but their loved ones would come in the cover of darkness and take them down again. Many went on to die from the wounds they received from the compulsory scourging and maiming before being crucified. On average this would be handed out for around three hours. Three hours of whipping and maiming! My mind boggles that we can be so cruel to fellow human beings.
Because this particular crucifixion was so controversial Pontius Pilate ensured that a group of soldiers stayed with Jesus. They were not allowed to leave that hill until he was dead. It was almost Passover and many of them wanted to get home. This is why they pierced his side but did not break his legs, he was already dead, there was no need.
It’s thanks to these soldiers that we know that Jesus died that day in the cross. Historians all agree that Jesus was born, lived on the earth and was killed on a cross thanks in part to these soldiers. We may debate his resurrection but his birth and death are beyond reproach historically. It’s why we have used his 33 years on this planet to denote time before and after his death hence BC.
Just a quick explanation about why they used to break the legs of those on crosses. It was to quicken the death because the condemned could no longer hold themselves up on the cross and allow air into the lungs.
I discovered two pieces of information while researching this topic and they were both a surprise to me. The first one is that it’s very likely Jesus was not nailed to a cross the way we think.
The Greek word translated “cross” is stauros, meaning “a pole or a cross used as an instrument of capital punishment.” The Greek word stauroo, which is translated “crucify,” means “to be attached to a pole or cross.” Outside of the Bible, the same verb was also used in the context of putting up a fence with stakes.
Though stauros can mean either “pole” or “stake,” many scholars argue that Jesus most likely died on a cross in which the upright beam projected above the shorter crosspiece.
But a biblical, airtight case cannot be made for either a cross or a pole/stake. The Romans were not picky in regards to how they would crucify people. Historically, we know the Romans crucified people on crosses, poles, stakes, upside-down crosses, X-shaped crosses (such as the apostle Andrew is said to have been martyred on), walls, roofs, etc.
The second historical fact that surprised me was this - all those crucified (including women) were naked. It was the final humiliation they could inflict on the condemned on this side of the divide.
I’ve had to reimagine my saviour naked on a cross which might actually have been a pole. None of that changes the ultimate outcome, Jesus died on a cross so that I could have a direct relationship with God. Ultimately it does not affect the perfection or sufficiency of His sacrifice.
So why am I telling you all this horrible information while you’re trying to eat your Vogel toast? I’m telling you about this because I see God’s grace and compassion all over these historical facts. His beloved son in all likelihood died from a heart attack (the arguments over this one are legendary) but for me the key is that he died in a compassionate six hours. He suffered in a way I will never truly relate to but His father God took him home in a relatively short time and that gives me oodles of hope.
I ask God to tell me what to post each week. Sometimes it’s just little stuff that’s happening to me and on other days it’s the Fibonacci sequence or NDE’s. He wanted me to research this one because he has promised me that this journey will be relatively short for me and he knows that I don’t quite believe him. I want to with all my heart but I also own an iPad and I love researching so I know far too much about early onset alzheimer’s and dementia in general.
The data I have says that if the odds are in my favour I could potentially live with this for years if I stay physically healthy. I have no wish to hang about for years when I have no idea who I am or who my loved ones are.
It’s why I was so keen to help God out by taking my life. Why do I try to take the driver’s seat when the God of all creation hangs out with me daily in the form of Lily? I think it’s because I am very human and I still have some basic trust and faith issues.
I think I want God to be in charge but then when something like this diagnoses comes along, I feel the need to “help” God in much the same way Gabe “helps “me to garden. Gabe’s form of gardening “help “includes sitting on my flowers and walking on top of tiny wee seedlings. He’s not going to be asked to work at Kew Gardens anytime soon!
Anyway, God woke me up the other morning and told me to research how long it took for Jesus to die on the cross. I had no idea why I was doing this but then Lily piped up. She explained that while I have lots of head knowledge about my future, I have not allowed for the God factor.
Don’t get me wrong I am loving life at the moment, the drugs are working and I’m now up to the full dose of 10mg. However, once these stop working it’s very likely I will go straight into dementia proper. God has promised that I won’t be like that for long, I need to learn something and then he will mercifully take me HOME.
I need to write this down for myself but I’m really doing it so that when this happens you will know that my God is very real, very powerful and He is full of unending grace.