Death or Exhaustion?

John 19: 23-24

     In Lee Strobel's book, "The Case for Christ", the possibility that Jesus never died on the cross is discussed. This possibility is known as the "swoon" theory. The thought behind the theory is, "that Jesus only fainted from exhaustion on the cross, or He had been given a drug that made Him appear to die, and that He had later been revived by the cool, damp air of the tomb."  The implication of this idea is that Christ's crucifixion wasn't much worse than being worn out from completing a triathlon. However, Strobel's book also shares a vivid description of a Roman flogging, and the act of crucifixion from the viewpoint of a medical doctor, who had studied history, archaeology and data concerning the death of Christ. Upon reading Alexander Metherell's explanation of the physical torture Christ endured prior to and during His crucifixion, we would be hard pressed to imagine anyone being revived by the "cool, damp air of the tomb".

     The Roman soldiers dividing up His garments and casting lots for His tunic had no doubt that Jesus was no longer in need of those items. They had seen other floggings and crucifixions, this man Jesus, who they had nailed to the cross, was about to die.

     The soldiers went about their business, hard-hearted to the agony of Christ, not realizing that their actions were fulfilling prophecy found in Psalm 22:16-18, "For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."

     God described the moment hundreds of years before it happened...amazing!

     Even in the smallest details we can trust God's Word to be true.

     So the question is not "Did Christ die on the cross?" The evidence for the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is overwhelming, if you take time to study the facts.

     The real question is this - what does the death of Christ on the cross mean to you? What about His resurrection to life, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him?

     He is risen!
     He is risen, indeed!

     Happy Easter!