But none of the Gospel writers focuses on the physical sufferings of Jesus. Each tells part of the whole horrific story, with his own emphasis and understanding of its significance. The death of Jesus was not only unusual - it was unique. Jesus shared the common experience of death that we all must encounter. Yet Jesus death was unique because it was perfectly timed.
People die in different ways.
Sometimes the spirit leaves peacefully while the person is asleep. Sometimes it is violently removed, and there s an agonising battle as the sufferer struggles frantically to hold onto life. At what seemed like the very last moment he suddenly opened his eyes and cast a glance over everyone in the room . . . He suddenly lifted his left hand as though bringing down a curse on us all. The gesture was incomprehensible and full of menace . . .