He was Alive?

This is the time of year to reflect on our own religious traditions. In Christianity it is believed Jesus died on the cross and later resurrected. However, others, like Muslims, believe Jesus survived the crucifixion.

Crucifixion originated from the Persians and was eventually adopted by the Carthaginians and the Phoenicians. The Romans used crucifixion only for the lowest criminals and slaves. Roman citizens were exempted from the heinous torture.

A crucifixion was a harsh form of capital punishment where the one being executed was suspended on a vertical post with arms stretch out or above their head. Their palms (some would contest wrists) would have been nailed to the crossbar by a 7 inch and 1 in diameter nail. Their feet were usually supported by a block of wood, tied to the crossbar, or nailed to the crossbar. The weight of the hanging body made it extremely difficult to breath. The person had to push their legs upward in order to relieve the pressure and to breathe easier. The one being executed would eventually get tired and would die of asphyxiation. In many crucifixions it was considered generous if the executioners broke their legs; thus they would die faster with less pain and suffering.

The average time it would take for someone crucified to die would be about three days. Jesus died in three hours. However, many people believe that Jesus actually survived the crucifixion.

Many people claim that Jesus was drugged on the cross to make him appear dead. It was said in the Bible Jesus was offered two times a drink to relieve his thirst. The first drink was drugged with myrrh. Jesus declined this beverage supposedly to face death head on. "It was a merciful Jewish practice to give to those led to execution a draught of strong wine mixed with myrrh so as to deaden consciousness" (Mass Sem 2.9; Bemid. R. 10). Jesus was offered a second drink which has a debatable translation. The Bible says it was wine vinegar, but others claim the actually translation is bitter. The translation bitter allows others to conclude that the drink could have been drugged with hashish and opium. This would have caused him to be unconscious with the appearance of being dead.
To me the drugged drink appears plausible and logical. Jesus must have had a last minute thought about dying and decided to alleviate his thirst. Matthew 27:46: "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'--which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" To me the statement “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” suggests Jesus had a change of heart. I also considered that the second beverage was also given from the same hands that tried to give him the first drink. They could have easily drugged the second one also without his knowledge.

Once Jesus was sent to the tomb “Joseph of Arimathea and a colleague, Nicodemus, visited the tomb during the night and brought with them a very large amount of spices: myrrh and aloes (John 19:39).” Myrrh and aloes are healing agents not for embalming.
Other evidence includes the spear that pierced Jesus’ side to confirm his death spewed blood. This indicates that Jesus was still alive. Oddly, the soldier that speared Jesus later become a follower of Jesus’ teachings and becomes a bishop.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2006/04/Could-Jesus-Have-Su...

http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=3&con...