Sunday, March 24, 2013

DID JESUS...Sweat Like Blood?

In preparing for this Easter season, my wife and I reviewed Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ. Like with previous viewings, we were left in shock at the unnecessary brutality, way in excess of the punishment required for the alleged crime.

Luke in his Gospel expressed one aspect of Christ’s suffering that is often overlooked – “His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Among Gospel writers, only Luke the physician described Christ’s mental anguish in this way.

I am aware that the textual evidence for Luke’s description is ambiguous in that some early manuscripts do not include the two verses in which the description is found. However, unlike J.A. Fitzmyer (The Gospel According to Luke – Volume 2), I believe Luke’s description of Jesus’ mental anguish should be included in the text. Luke’s interest in similes and his attentiveness to details are consistent with the description.

Advances in medical science have helped us to appreciate more of what Dr. Luke was saying. In the first place, Luke tells us that there was excessive sweating – “like drops...falling to the ground.” This aptly described someone who was under extreme emotional stress. I understand that in such situations, persons can lose several quarts of fluid in perspiration.

Apart from the volume of fluid, medical scholars believe Luke was describing the phenomenon known as hematidrosis or hemohidrosis – a condition that occurs in highly emotional states. Hemohidrosis is a very rare condition in which a human sweats blood. I believe it was Leonardo da Vinci who described a soldier who sweat blood before going into battle.

When added to the stress, the night temperature would have produced chills, thus creating more physical discomfort. However, such physical discomfort was not the goal of Roman crucifixion.

The Romans perfected crucifixion as a form of torture and capital punishment that was designed to produce a slow death with maximum pain and suffering. It was one of the most disgraceful and cruel methods of execution and usually was reserved only for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries and the vilest of criminals.

Not one of these categories would describe Jesus. Even Judas who betrayed him admitted, “I have betrayed innocent blood.” Even Peter who denied Him mentioned in one of his letters, “He did no sin, not even guile was found in His mouth.” Then why should Jesus be subjected to such torture?

Interestingly, Jesus could have escaped the ordeal but chose not to do so. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than 72,000 angels” (Matthew 26:53)? In other words, if a secure escape were needed, it would be made available.

Then, why all the sweat? To this Jesus replied – so that the promises in the Hebrew Scriptures would be fulfilled (Matthew 26:56). Following His resurrection He said something similar to the two men on the road to Emmaus – “did not the Christ have to suffer these things...” (Luke 24:26)? Later that day Jesus maintained that theme as He addressed His disciples – “everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44).

In other words, although painful, the suffering of Jesus was no accident. Some 700 years before His death, the prophet Isaiah described how the Christ would suffer and die (Isaiah 53). In addition to reading the text I would recommend you read, The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 by Darrell Bock and Mitch Glaser. This volume is a collection of eleven essays by evangelical scholars. The essays provide a theological foundation for what Mel Gibson illustrated in the film, The Passion of the Christ.

After watching the film, my wife and I were contending, if Jesus could have been freed but chose rather to become a victim of crucifixion, the worst form of capital punishment in history, then why, simply why did He allow it? On his way home, an Ethiopian asked Phillip a similar question. Based on the text he was reading from Isaiah 53, Phillip introduced the royal official to Jesus (Acts 8:26-40).

Like Phillip, the Apostle Paul believed that Isaiah 53 was referring to the Christ – Paul told the Corinthians that that Christ was Jesus of Nazareth, the One who was crucified (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). And that is the story of Easter – the Christ of Isaiah 53 suffered and died as a sacrifice.

Like the Ethiopian eunuch Phillip met, I pray that everyone reading this commentary would or has already come into a personal relationship with the Christ of Isaiah 53.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Pope Francis

I had barely composed myself in the barber’s chair when I was asked, “... and what do you think of the new Pope?” That was probably the most asked question for the past week. Well, I like him. I believe, should he continue to serve as he did as a priest, the world would see a different brand of leadership in the Catholic Church.

In less than 24 hours after he became the first non-European pope in some 1,300 years, Francis seemed to break more rules than his predecessor did in eight years. Actually, the first words out of Francis' mouth after he became Pope sent a signal that things would be different.

He did not start by using the customary "Praised be Jesus Christ", but employed a much more familiar and inviting "Buona Sera" - good evening in Italian - to address drenched crowds in a rain-swept St. Peter's Square.

On the morning after his election, the Vatican was scrambling to meet the needs of a new-style papacy. For example, while he was still in the Sistine Chapel, his aides set up a throne-like chair on a platform for him to sit on while the cardinals pledged their obedience one at a time. Instead, he came down to their lower level and remained standing while they each greeted him.

Less than an hour later, he shunned the papal limousine that was waiting to take him to a Vatican residence for a meal. As the last bus pulled up, guess who got off? It was Pope Francis. The only difference between him and the cardinals was that he was no longer wearing their red robes, but a white robe.

There was more unorthodox papal behavior on Thursday morning when Francis returned to the Church-run residence where he had checked in as a cardinal for the conclave. He insisted on paying his hotel bill, despite now being the boss.

"He wanted to get his luggage - he had left everything there," a Vatican spokesman told a news briefing. "He then stopped in the office, greeted everyone and decided to pay the bill for the room, because he was concerned about giving a good example of what priests and bishops should do."

The behavior of the new Pope is consistent with the name he chose – Francis. He admitted he had St. Francis of Assisi in mind when deciding on a name. Actually, it was a cardinal from Brazil who said to him to remember the poor, when it seemed that the Argentinean would be selected. The Pope told the media that he wanted to honor St. Francis of Assisi, an admirer of nature and a servant to the poor and destitute.

St. Francis of Assisi was born the son of a rich cloth merchant. But he lived in rags among beggars at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He was known for bonding with lepers and the poor. Those close to Pope Francis see similarities between the two men.

With the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires as pope, the Roman Catholic Church has elected the first Pope from the Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits. This society was founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. Now this Jesuit Pope takes the name Francis from the humble servant of medieval Assisi who began the Franciscan order 300 years before Ignatius.

Like Ignatius, he has a reputation for using his mind to solve a problem but his heart to make a decision. Like Francis of Assisi, he operates within the world of an ordained clergy while not being drowned in self-serving clerical rank and privilege.

So what Pope Francis seems to bring to the table, at least at a first glance, is personal authenticity and credibility – critical precursors to change. I believe Pope Francis will continue to be a model of service to everyone, but especially to the less fortunate.

Interestingly, to be a model servant to the less fortunate should not be limited to a pope. Jesus was clear when He taught that serving the less fortunate is expected of every Christian (Matthew 25:31-46). In addition, Jesus taught that leadership and authority are best illustrated when we lead with the attitude of children.
This Easter season provides a great opportunity to reflect on symbols of service to others. The cross is one such symbol. In the first century culture the cross represented defeat and shame. However, the death of Jesus on a cross changed that negative picture.

In referring to the cross the Apostle Paul said, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). You now understand why I believe that by using simple approaches Pope Francis is destined to become a great spiritual leader. I like Pope Francis.

Monday, March 11, 2013

When Darkness Struck

All three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) report that there were three hours of darkness when Jesus was crucified. The three hour period of darkness took place from twelve noon to 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon – when the sun is normally at its brightest.

Luke indicates how dark and unusual this darkness was by the statement, “... and the sun was darkened”. The New International Version captured the Greek sense of Luke’s statement with the words “the sun stopped shining.” In essence, at the brightest time of day, sunlight ceased.

Even before attempting to explain what may have happened, one needs to establish if what the New Testament stated really happened. In order to avoid what scholars term a circular argument, allow me to cite a few non-Christian historians on the authenticity of this sun-darkening event.

In 52 (AD/CE), Thallus, was commenting on this event from Rome, some 1,500 miles away from the site of the crucifixion. He was trying to deny any supernatural association with the sun-darkening. In quoting the writings of Thallus, Julius Africanus was confident Thallus’ reference showed that the facts of Jesus’ death were known and discussed in Rome as early as the middle of the first century.

Phlegon of Tralles, a first-century Greek historian also mentioned the sun-darkening event and attempted to explain it as a natural phenomenon. Phelegon confirmed that the event took place during the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the same period alluded to in the New Testament.

Origen was one of seven ancient writers who cited this same Phlegon, in his defense of Christianity against Celsus. The issue for the first-century non-Christian historian was not if the event happened – it was attempting to explain what really happened.

Non-Christian historians believed the event was caused by an eclipse of the sun. However, early church historians disagreed. It could hardly have been an eclipse of the sun at the time of the Passover. At that time of year the earth is closer to the sun than the moon, thus nullifying the eclipse theory. Furthermore, no eclipse of the sun can last more than 7 ½ minutes in any one place – this sun-darkening incident lasted for three hours.

Some believe the darkness may have been caused by an east wind or sirocco, a scorching wind from the desert. East winds are normally hot, gusty winds laden with sand and dust and occur frequently in May and October. But the synoptic writers never suggested that there were strong winds at the time of the darkness. In addition, such winds never appear at the time of Passover, the period when Jesus was crucified.

Then, could the darkness have been some unnatural phenomenon? Like what? From the information available, it is obvious that there is no explanation for this astronomical event. In addition, the timing of the darkness would certainly suggest that the event had something to do with the crucifixion of Jesus. If not, why would the synoptic writers mention the event if there was no relationship to the main story they were reporting – the crucifixion.  

Interestingly, the darkening of the sun was not unique to the crucifixion of Jesus. In the book of Exodus, the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt – darkness that can be felt. So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days” (Exodus 10:21-22).

The Exodus event makes it clear that it is possible for God to interrupt the course of nature as He sees necessary. Whereas the darkening of the skies in Exodus was an act of judgment, one wonders, what did a similar darkening mean when Jesus was crucified?

The synoptic texts are silent on the cause of the darkness, and so should we. However, what is clear was the act of an unnatural intervention at the time of the death of Jesus. Based on similar interventions in Exodus and other places in the Bible, one would not be speculating to conclude that the darkening of the sky was a divine act – an act of God. 

It was not a mere accident of nature nor could it be a normal astronomical event. Rather, it was a clear indication of God’s involvement in the death of Jesus. In other words, the death of Jesus was no mere accident. Neither was it an event that overwhelmed God. The death of Jesus was as intentional as the offering of a sacrifice for sin in the Old Testament.

I believe Paul got it right when he wrote, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Incredible, darkness appeared when Jesus, the Light of the world died as a sacrifice for sin.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Did He Really Die?

After almost 2,000 years of observing Easter, some in our communities still question the death of Jesus as described in the New Testament. If the no-death argument is plausible, then the historical credibility of the New Testament is in question. Simply put, is there evidence that Jesus died when the New Testament said He did?

Second century Gnostic, Basilides would say no. He taught that at the crucifixion Jesus changed form with Simon of Cyrene who had carried the cross. The Jews mistaking Simon for Jesus nailed him to the cross. Jesus stood by deriding their error before ascending to heaven. In the third century, Mani of Persia taught that the son of the widow of Nain whom Jesus raised from the dead was put to death in His place.

Many Muslim scholars cite the Gospel of Barnabas to support the Qur’anic teaching that Jesus did not die as told in the New Testament. Ironically, those who cite this sixteenth-century source, think they are quoting from the Letter of Barnabas, written in the first half of the second century. Whereas the Letter of Barnabas affirmed the death of Jesus and was considered to be among the most important post-New Testament writings, the same cannot be said of the Gospel of Barnabas.

Instead, this book contends that Judas Iscariot was substituted for Jesus (Section 217). This view has been adopted by many Muslims, since so many of them believe that someone else was substituted on the cross for Jesus. According to one scholar, “scholarly research has proved absolutely that this ‘gospel’ is a fake.”

The swoon theory contends that Jesus got to the cross, but did not die. He fainted or swooned. For this reason Jesus was not resurrected, he was resuscitated. He regained consciousness having rested in the coolness of the tomb.

But how could this be? Apart from the clear and frequent references to the death of Jesus in the New Testament, extra-biblical Jewish and Roman testimonies affirm that Jesus died. For instance, Tacitus’ Annals speak of “Christ, who was executed under Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.”

In the second century Justin Martyr referred to the “Acts of Pontius Pilate” under whom “nails were fixed in Jesus’ hands and feet on the cross...” Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, wrote that “there was a wise man was called Jesus...Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die.”

We can discuss the circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus as much as we want. However, to deny that He died is ludicrous – it is historically untenable. The death of Jesus is both historic and historical – the specific details of time and space can all be verified. The biblical and extra-biblical evidence corroborating the death of Jesus is overwhelming.

As Messiah, His death was predicted in the Old Testament. In addition, Jesus announced many times during His ministry that He was going to die. One such reference reads: “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised” (Matthew 17:22-23).

A number of renowned medical experts have carefully examined available data and have confirmed in writing that Jesus died. One such article appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association (March 21, 1986 – Volume 255, Number 11). This JAMA report originated from the Department of Pathology at Mayo Clinic (Minnesota). The researchers concluded that “the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to His side was inflicted...thrust between His right ribs, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured His death.”

If Jesus did not die as assumed by some sources, then the story of the resurrection is a hoax in that resurrection presupposes death. In addition, the entire New Testament is unreliable, in that every writer alludes to His death. Even the prophecies of some Old Testament prophets would be false, in that they spoke specifically about the tragic death of the Messiah.

Because Christian theology is based on historical foundations, concepts of sacrifice and redemption have been rooted in the death of Christ. To dismiss or even to trivialize the crucifixion of Jesus would be to undermine the core of Christian beliefs.

As we prepare for Easter 2013, let us not forget that the primary story of the death of Jesus comes from the New Testament – “there is no body of ancient literature in the world which enjoys such a wealth of good textual attestation as the New Testament” (F.F Bruce). Thankfully, the foundation of the Christian faith is built on fact and not legend.