T'was Not Merely A Flesh Wound!
This episode can be found archived on our Podcast page.
Episode #3 of “Counter-punching the Counterfeit”
Jesus died a literal, physical death on a cross.
This is the third installment of what we’ve finally decided to call “Counter-punching the Counterfeits” series. First we talked about how hell is real, literal and eternal. Then we talked about how Jesus is actually the Son Of God, not just a prophet, not just a good moral teacher, etc… This week we’re discussing the facts about the death of Jesus.
What are some of the lies people believe about this?
It wasn’t actually Jesus on the cross. Muslims believe it was actually Judas, others believe it was Simon the Cyrene who carried the cross for Jesus.
He simply passed out and revived later.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe it wasn’t a cross, but a single beam torture stake.
*If they really don’t want the cross that badly, there’s a reason.
What evidence do we have for a literal, physical death on a cross with the actual Jesus?
Sweating blood, which is a sign of extreme stress and dehydration.
Beaten with a whip until His back split open.
Punched and pounded in the head with fists and rods, likely severe concussions and brain damage.
Crown of thorns driven into His head, on top of everything else.
Nails driven through hands and feet, more like railroad spikes.
Crucifixion itself is more like internal suffocation than anything else. The victim’s heart gets tired from hanging with arms extended that much, which causes fluid to build up in their lungs to the point where they can’t breathe.
Normally the victims would try to push up with their legs to catch a breath. In order to speed up the process, the executioners would break their legs to prevent them pushing up. Note that these guys did this hundreds of times in their lives, they could tell when someone was dead.
When they came to Jesus to break His legs, they observed He was already dead. In order to make sure, they pierced His side with a spear and blood mixed with water flowed out. Here’s what this means:
If He wasn’t dead by that point, the spear had to have done the trick!
The blood mixed with water indicated that His lungs were full of fluid.
Why is this such an important issue?
With death being the necessary wage for sin, no death=no payment for sin.
Hebrews 9:22
Romans 6:23
Jesus was the only one who could provide the atonement because He was perfect and faultless. Anyone else would have only been dying for their own sin.
Fulfilment of Scripture
Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Psalm 16:10
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