(August 18, 2012 at 9:51 am)pgrimes15 Wrote: Was it the execution that was the essential element - regardless of the methodI believe so. Any execution would have worked--the point is that Jesus had to be sentenced and die for a crime he did not commit. He had to be judged and killed, not just expire after a long and healthy life. His charge for execution was being "King of the Jews", or blasphemy, and he never blasphemed. He was innocent. Crucifixion has the added element of torture to impress on us, as well as potential metaphors to help us understand the meaning of what Jesus did. It also shows Christ's love--one half of the reason Jesus died is to redeem us, the other half is so we might realize love and put it into practice in our own lives.
"By his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin." 1 Peter 4:1
Being wrongfully condemned tends to invoke stronger emotions than an unfortunate accident. Why do you think that is?
