More on Jesus

Forgive me for going on about the book I read this weekend. I just want to highlight something that struck me.

Bruce says he asked God to let him feel the way Jesus did as he acted His part for each scene. Just before they did the scene at the cross, he was blessed with an incredible insight.

All the years Jesus spent as a carpenter, working long hard physical hours, was in preparation for the cross. Every muscle developed, every physical aspect toughened up by nails and splinters and wood weights lifted, was all to prepare Him for the physical trauma of what was to come. (Bruce realized early on that Jesus was no imperious divine figure with manicured hands, and he prepared himself physically to portray the in-your-face humanness of The Man, as He would have been after 20+ years of manual labour)

Apparently many did not survive a flogging at Roman hands. Jesus was physically prepared to survive it. His body had been built to endure for years, He had the strength to make it through the beating.

He answered the only question He knew would ensure His death sentance - "Yes, I am He." Blasphamy to his accusers, the result of which was His death sentance. He made sure He got where He needed to be. He chose the cross.

And He was not dragged to the cross. His physical preparation enabled Him to crawl, struggling against all odds, with every ounce of strength, toward the only thing He was here to do, to reach toward the only means of our salvation - one more step, just a few more feet, nearly there. He did not give up until He got there and gave Himself for us.

That blew me away.