From: roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu (Curtis Roelle)
Subject: Focus on Crucifiction (was: Cruxed for Prophecy?)
Keywords: crucifiction prophecy sacrifice hebrew
Organization: Johns Hopkins University
Date:  2 Oct 92 23:29:57 GMT

One major target group for very early evangelists (e.g. writers of the
gospels) were the Hebrews.  In their effort  to convert Hebrews to
Christianity they based their argument on two important points.  These
were than Jesus C.  was:

   (1) a most perfect sacrifice (the one to end all sacrifices), and
   (2) a high priest more worthy than any previous priest (including 
       Aaron, Melchizidek, and even Moses himself).

These points are discussed at length in the _Epistle_to_the_Hebrews_,
found in the New Testament.  In order to be convincing it was
necessary to point out passages in scripture that support the notion
that JC had indeed been their Messiah.

To be fit for sacrifice, an animal had to be perfect.  The following
OT passage is similar to others, and is from Leviticus 3 (KJV):

6: And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the Lord 
   be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
7: If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before 
   the Lord.
8: And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it 
   before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons shall 
   sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.

A sheep herder in the mountains may have a lamb that falls and breaks
its leg.  He may as well use it next time he needs to sacrifice,
right?  No, wrong -- an animal with broken bones makes not a suitable
sacrifice. If Jesus had been stoned and had his bones broken, the
sacrifice argument would not have been valid.

>>He [Jesus C.] may have been crucified rather than stoned to fulfill prophecy.

The gospel authors (esp. John) document their writings with references
to passages of O.T. poetry, which both they, and their Hebrew
audience, believed to prophecy the coming of the Messiah.

>>Check out:
>>	Psalm 34:20
>>	Psalm 22:13-18

>034:020 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

This is an important verse in the Jesus-as-sacraficial-lamb argument.
To help victims of crucifiction die more rapidly, their legs were
sometimes broken.  This interferes with the respiratory system, as
without the support of their legs they are left hanging by the arms
and soon suffocate.

As sunset approached, so did the sabbath.  The Hebrews wanted the
bodies down before this time and suggested that Jesus' legs be broken.
But if they broke his legs then prophecy could not be fulfiled,
and the sacrifice argument would become invalid.  Pilate agreed to
break Jesus' legs, but he was dead by then, and so no bones were
broken.

>022:013 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a
>        roaring lion.
>022:014 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint:
>        my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Another argument the gospel writers wanted to nip in the bud was that
Jesus was not dead, but in a coma, or even drugged or in a death-like
stupor similar to death and hence, not really dead.  To confirm death
the Romans would stick a spear into a  body.  If blood drained out, the
person might still be alive.  If blood mixed with water drained out, the
person would be  pronounced dead.  In Jesus' case it was the latter.

>022:015 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue
>        cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of
>        death.
>022:016 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have
>        inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
>022:017 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
>022:018 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my
>        vesture.

The practice of dividing up the garments of the condemned was common and
not unusual in this case.  May even be considered a "safe" prophecy.
Here are excerpts from the crucifixion according to John 19 (KJV):

23: Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his
    garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his
    coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

31: The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the
    bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that
    sabbath day was a high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be
    broken, and that they might be taken away.
32: Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of
    the other which was crucified with him.
33: But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already,
    they brake not his legs:
34: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and
    forthwith there came out blood and water.

Jesus and his followers were meticulous about documenting the fulfilment 
of written  prophecies.  I wouldn't doubt Jesus kept a checklist handy 8-].
He did after all demonstrate an aptitude toward Hebrew law and was doing
his groundwork even at the ripe old age of 12:

"And it came to pass that after three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them
questions.  And they that heard him were astonished at his understanding
and answers."  Luke 3:46-47

Curt Roelle







Xref: sparky sci.skeptic:17122 alt.folklore.urban:24469