As we prepare to celebrate Easter, it seems fitting to share with you something I received via email quite awhile ago. This email was entitled, "What is Crucifixion?" It’s a medical doctor’s explanation of exactly what happens to a victim who is crucified.

Here are a few excerpts from it: (Read complete description)

As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain - the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves…

As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them with deep relentless and throbbing pain…

Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-renting cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber…

What Jesus must have gone through! All for us… all to pay for our sins… all because He loves us so much. I’ve always known how much Jesus did for me – to die for my sins – but it wasn’t until several years ago when I saw the movie Jesus of Nazareth for the first time that I really, truly realized just how much He suffered and endured for me – for us. The torture, the suffering, the ridicule - how must He have felt? While on earth His human side felt the same things we do – including fear and anger. How did He get through it, knowing what was to come? The torture and the slow, painful death. Wouldn’t it have been so easy for Him to just say forget it… I can’t do this! But He didn’t forget it; He found the courage and love to do what He had to… all for us.

Sometimes when I think about it, I feel so guilty. Jesus had to endure all that pain and suffering because of me – because of my sins. But then, my feelings turn to those of gratitude. More than gratitude really – more of an awesome wonder and feeling so incredibly blessed! God not only gave us the commandment to love one another but He sent His son to Earth to die for us and show us just how much we are loved.

This great love overshadowed everything. For love, Jesus went through all the torture, ridicule and suffering. For love, He died for our sins.

How can we draw on His strength during times of our own trials and suffering? How can we use those times to unite in His love and bring us into a closer relationship with Him?

Peace in Christ,
Melissa Knoblett-Aman