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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

The punishment was meted out for such crimes as treason, desertion in the face of the enemy, robbery, piracy, assassination, sedition, etc. It continued in vogue in the Roman Empire till the day of Constantine, when it was abolished as an insult to Christianity. Among the Romans crucifixion was preceded by scourging, undoubtedly to hasten impending death. The victim then bore his own cross, or at least the upright beam, to the place of execution. This in itself proves that the structure was less ponderous than is commonly supposed. When he was tied to the cross nothing further was done and he was left to die from starvation. If he was nailed to the cross, at least in Judea, a stupefying drink was given him to deaden the agony. The number of nails used seems to have been indeterminate. A tablet, on which the feet rested or on which the body was partly supported, seems to have been a part of the cross to keep the wounds from tearing through the transfixed members (Iren., Adv. haer., ii.42). The suffering of death by crucifixion was intense, especially in hot climates. Severe local inflammation, coupled with an insignificant bleeding of the jagged wounds, produced traumatic fever, which was aggravated the exposure to the heat of the sun, the strained of the body and insufferable thirst. The swelled about the rough nails and the torn lacerated tendons and nerves caused excruciating agony. The arteries of the head and stomach were surcharged with blood and a terrific throbbing headache ensued. The mind was confused and filled with anxiety and dread foreboding. The victim of crucifixion literally died a thousand deaths. Tetanus not rarely supervened and the rigors of the attending convulsions would tear at the wounds and add to the burden of pain, till at last the bodily forces were exhausted and the victim sank to unconsciousness and death. The sufferings were so frightful that “even among the raging passions of war pity was sometimes excited” (BJ, V, xi, 1). The length of this agony was wholly determined by the constitution of the victim, but death rarely ensued before thirty-six hours had elapsed. Instances are on record of victims of the cross who survived their terrible injuries when taken down from the cross after many hours of suspension (Josephus, Vita, 75). Death was sometimes hastened by breaking the legs of the victims and by a hard blow delivered under the armpit before crucifixion. Crura fracta was a well-known Roman term (Cicero Phil. xiii.12). The sudden death of Christ evidently was a matter of astonishment (Mark 15:44). The peculiar symptoms mentioned by John (19:34) would seem to point to a rupture of the heart, of which the Savior died, independent of the cross itself, or perhaps hastened by its agony (Henry Dosker).
Other Authors

Between the two comings of Jesus, believers experience what is often called the tension between the already and the not yet. Jesus’ followers can look back and see that D-day, the decisive strike, has already occurred and now guarantees thorough defeat of the enemy. Nevertheless, the time after the first coming and before the second coming involves ongoing warfare with the spiritual forces of darkness and their terrestrial supporters. V-day has not yet arrived, and so the potential for setbacks and defeats still exists. All too often, God’s people succumb to temptation and score a victory for the enemies of God. Still, the decisive strike at the first coming of Jesus guarantees ultimate victory at the second, and Jesus’ followers fight the good fight with assurance that God who has begun a good work at the first coming of Jesus will bring it to completion at the second.
Dean Ulrich

    • Avocado Pocket Sandwiches

    Posted on
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    (0)
    CATEGORY CUISINE TAG YIELD
    Vegetables, Grains, Dairy Vegetarian Lowfat, Sandwiches, Vegetarian, *sent 4 servings

    INGREDIENTS

    1 Avocado; halved and peeled
    1/2 c Chopped cauliflower
    1/2 c Chopped carrots
    1/2 c Chopped cucumber; seeds optional
    1/2 c Sliced mushrooms
    1/2 c Shredded lf monterey jack cheese or a blend
    1/4 c Nonfat Italian salad dressing; zesty
    4 Pita bread; whole-wheat, warmed
    1 ts Fresh lemon juice
    1 pn Fresh lemon peel; optional
    1 pn Fresh thyme leaves; optional
    1/2 c Chopped tomato

    INSTRUCTIONS

    Serves 4 or 8. Makes a good accompaniment to soup.
Dice half the avocado. Reserve other half.
Gently toss diced avocado, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, mushrooms
and cheese with the zesty Italian dressing.
To serve: 1) Halve each pita bread and fill halves, or 2) slit along
edge and separate halfway around by pulling edges apart to form a
pocket. Fill with a portion of the mixture.
Mash the remaining avocado half and combine with lemon juice and diced
tomato. Add peel and herb, if using. Spoon some into each pocket.
VARIATION: 1) Mash the avocado as directed but add 1/2 cup plain or
lemon lowfat yogurt. 2) Wrap in a flavored flour tortilla.
EACH: 288 cals, 8g fat (25%cff), 8g fiber. -Est MasterCook. >From the
files of the L.A. Times, Edited by Betsy Balsley.
>kitpath@earthlink.net 4/99
Recipe by: LA Times California Cookbook (1990 Abrams)
Posted to EAT-LF Digest by PatHanneman <kitpath@earthlink.net> on Apr
17, 1999, converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.

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