Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 100
Trial and Death of Jesus, by Haim Cohen; page 238). . In the case of Jesus it is patent that the Jews were eager to destroy him and desired to inflict the maximum amount of damage upon him. Pilate had been put in fear by them and they had coerced him into condemning him to crucifixion. It is, therefore, remarkable that he agreed so readily that the body of Jesus should be made over to Joseph of Arimathea contrary to the normal practice of leaving the body to be devoured by wild beasts etc. He was not quite convinced that Jesus had expired within so short a time and yet he did not direct that his bones should be broken. On the contrary he directed that the body of Jesus should be handed over to one of his disciples. . All this clearly indicates that Jesus had not died on the cross. There is no positive piece of evidence which could support the notion that he had so died. The statement of the centurion that he had died is no proof of death. He was not a physician and had made no particular examination of the body. He believed in the truth of Jesus which he affirmed in the words:. Truly this man was the son of God. . Of a surety the centurion was a party to Pilate's plan. 6. After the event of the crucifixion Jesus remained subject to all physical needs, such as hunger and thirst, like all other men. On the occasions when he met his disciples in secret he demanded food and ate in their company as is written:. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them: Have you anything here to eat? They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate before them. (Luke, 24: 41-43). This is clear proof that he was subject to hunger and thirst like every one else and shows that he possessed the same physical body which had been hung upon the cross. . It is also written that he exhibited his wounded body to the disciples so as to convince them that God had saved him from death on the Cross as is written:. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do questions rise in your hearts?. See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, 103