Crucifixion Implications

This is a paper I did for my class. The subject is something I wanted to share; I was very much affected by it. WARNING: there are some graphic images (after all we're talking about a crucifixion here) and not everyone would like to read it. I've included the references for anyone who would like to see the complete articles (On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ was an article that was part of the course.)

Crucifixion Implications

Details of the Crucifixion

Hypovolemic Shock

As Hamilton (2009) defines it, "...hypovolemic shock (closely tied to dehydration and loss of blood and producing, among other symptoms, increased agitation and anxiety in the victim)." Somehow I had never tied all the traumas together before. No water while walking back and forth from Garden to the Temple, to Pilate, to Herod, back to Pilate, then to Golgotha. Beatings, bleeding from the flogging, head wounds from the crown of thorns all took their toll. This makes His experience one long painful bloody road. Every step must have been its own torture. All of this, before the actual crucifixion. I cannot imagine being subjected to just this - and all for someone else. Me.

Heart

I had not thought of exactly what His heart must have gone through. Johnson (1996) mentions the strain put on the heart from trying to pump blood above the head but Davis (n.d.) states it graphically: "The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level; the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissue; the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air." Fluid would have built up in the heart sac, from what I've read; this would be what was compressing the heart. It must have been terrifying to feel the contractions of the heart, struggling as it was. He was defeating death one drop of blood at a time. How could anyone have done this. Voluntarily.

Not alone on the cross

Edwards (n.d.) states flatly, "Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds to the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites." This I am almost unable to imagine. Not that it could happen (it makes a very horrible sense) but that it did to Jesus. All our pretty paintings and statues, and not one of them draws this ghastly picture. The other details were amplifications of what I thought might have happened but this, this shocked me. He took creatures crawling and burrowing and eating Him while He was still alive just to save me from my sins. I'm grateful salvation is through grace because I would never be able to earn what He went through.

Offensiveness of the Cross and Sin

That it took all those hours of blood and torture, ending with dying while already being eaten, colors sin with a new offensiveness. What seemed like a "little" sin (or venial, if you're Catholic) suddenly becomes distasteful. This sin, this thing that I do, or don't do, or say, was paid for with bloody strips of flesh and screaming agony. I lied and a bird ripped flesh from His side. I gossiped and a bug burrowed in His ear. The cross is a great equalizer: all sin is wrong, all are offensive.

References

Davis, C. T., M.D. (n.d.). A Physician's View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from www.cbn.com/spirituallife/onlinediscipleship/easter/a_physician's_view_of_the_crucifixion_of_ jesus_christ.aspx

Edwards, W. D., M.D., Gabel, W. J., M.Div., & Hosmer, F. E., A.M.I. (n.d.). On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.

Hamilton, A. (2004). 24 Hours That Changed the World. Nashville TN: Abingdon Press.

Johnson, K. O., Ph.D. (1996). The Rosary. Dallas TX: Pangaeus Press.

They're for the Living

Yesterday, we buried Blondie. It was a much better experience than I feared. I felt at peace, which I didn't expect. Ricky (a good friend) came over to help me. He dug a hole deep enough and then we placed Blondie's urn in it. He carefully added her last (nearly new) rawhide, her favourite toy (a rubber wheel; she toted it around but didn't chew on it) and lastly placed her collar around the urn. It was like putting it back on her. He said a few words. I said goodbye to my Blondie Girl. After I dropped a handful of dirt in, he filled the hole. There she was, resting in her favourite spot. For always.

I believe she is already in heaven. That what we did yesterday didn't add or subtract from that. It was, as I've read so many times, for me. I finished saying goodbye - though I can't imagine never thinking of her again. I suppose it's more accurate to say I said I'll see you again, in a while. I think not having that ceremony would have left a sore spot.

The funeral was for me and GOD blessed me in my friend Ricky. He knew what to say and how to help me through it. It wouldn't have been nearly as easy to deal with as it was. I can look back on it and feel comfort. No regrets, no additional pain. Just happiness that she'll always be a memory in my heart (and at my gate). You can find GOD everywhere - you just need to look.

Hi, I'm a minister!

Yes, I'm the Rev. Sharon L. Hollingsworth, ULCM, ULC, AACC, ABC. What the heck are all those letters?! ULCM is the Universal Life Church Monastery. ULC is the Universal Life Church. This was where I was ordained in 2009. AACC is the American Association of Christian Counselors. ABC is American Biblical Counselors. Obviously I'm working to get to a point I can officially counsel. I've been unofficially since I was in high school.

To get prepared, I'm of course studying. I like a full plate and since I only work 3 days a week (12-hr shifts) I have plenty of time to study. And all my classes are online so I can turn in assignments, listen to lectures, etc. when I want. Perfect for me.

I'm working on 2 accelerated degree programs and 2 diploma programs. Two have a very structured assignment time requirements while the other 2 are more relaxed. This way I can focus my time on 1 or 2 simultaneously and work the other 2 in.

When I'm done I'll have a BS in Christian Counseling from an online seminary (they offered up to a doctorate and that's my goal), a BA in Psychology, a diploma in Chaplaincy (5 months and gives me 4 credits towards a Masters in Chaplaincy) and a diploma of Divinity (not a degree) which takes 60 credit hours. I've lots of papers to write between the four. Fortunately I really like writing!

I'll keep ya'll (yes, I'm southern) posted on my progress.

Thank you, GOD

Thank you, GOD. I was in a place, a deep dark place, a place from which I wanted to run. I planned my escape but I listened. You reminded me you can't run from what's in your mind; it'll still be there wherever you are.

I thought next of just going into my mind, blocking out my body, living in the world that's in my head. You asked me could I do that to my family and friends. Could I really leave the ones I love. Their faces came to mind and I knew then I couldn't leave them.

That left me with just one choice: deal.

I knew I couldn't do it alone - I couldn't be alone. Not anymore.

I finally, in that deepest dark moment, with songs playing in my head (a warning before hallucinating) and visions of a knife and of blood, I finally truly completely gave myself to You. This was more than my mind, more than my heart - my soul cried out for You.

And You were there.

You'd always been there, waiting patiently, pleased that my mind and heart had turned to you long ago. But waiting, just the same. Just waiting for my soul's cry out to You.

I'm no longer alone. Ever.

You told me to reach out to my friends not reach in to myself. You sent Your Holy Spirit to me, to guide me out of the labyrinth of pain and sorrow.

Thank you, my GOD. Thank You, Jesus my Lord. Thank you, Holy Spirit. With Your help, my GOD, I will sing your praises until You call me home, where I can sing forever. Thank you.

Thorn

...Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to keep me from becoming too elated...for when I am weak, I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7, 10 NAB (I recommend reading the entire passage)

All of us have a thorn - something physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual to try to keep us from the fullness of being Christ-like. All to keep us from "being too elated". "Elated" - what does that mean? Maybe boasting? Proudness? Something else?

Maybe the meaning is different for everyone, dependent on the LORD' awareness of all we are. In my life, one of my thorns is a serious mental illness. I've been hospitalized. I've been on diability. The doctors said I'd never work again. Until then I'd been been proud of my intelligence - and made sure everyone knew about it. Of my ability to balance several things at once; things I wanted to be noticed for. When I went on disability, I was crushed. Nothing I'd known (except for a vague knowing of Christ) seemed important. I floundered for years, going to church after a while but feeling little, even when I prayed for things to change.

Slowly I began to volunteer at the church, little things then bigger. But I kept them to myself; accepting praise but not looking for it. I just thanked GOD. My prayers changed to thanksgiving. Yes, I still prayed for my needs - and my wants - but I was learning it was ok to wait.

I've been working full-rime since 2006. My prayers are still of thanksgiving. Still I must take the medicine I hate. Every day. Still I must watch for the start of episodes. But I try to do things now I don't seek praise for. I have a better faith life, I believe, because GOD changed me through those long years of dryness. And I thank GOD.