The Gospel account of the “death” of Jesus of Nazareth is juxtaposed with the slaying of the Pashcal lamb at the Passover in the Jewish ceremonial. Jesus of Nazareth, the personification of a righteous Spirit was to be put to death. This is what we are told. But can a Spirit be “put to death” (Luke 18:33) - a literal death? Or does death have some other meaning?
In the story the words “put to death” have not been understood. This phrase comes from SUNIEMI – to put together (mentally) - Luke 18:34. Next ask what does “death” mean in this context? Notice the word “death” from Greek APOKTEINO means to slay - to kill outright. This word taken from the prefix OPO[1] usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion or reversal. Death can now in this context be understood. The Messianic Movement of the just and steadfast citizens must be psychologically separated from the staid mental furnishings of the rest of society. Effectively this meant they must differentiate themselves, depart or cease their cause and association.
The next question is what did Crucifixion mean?
The question became, how was this strengthening momentum (Reformation) against established traditions contained? By crucifixion was the answer. The word crucifixion is interchangeable with persecution, a point less than comprehended. This wider perception of meaning broadens the integrating dimensions of devious forms operating in society. Crucified from the word STAUROO, means extinguish and cross from STAUROS means, something upright. Also STAO[2] means to stand, set up, or stand by. From this, it can be gathered, something upright must be extinguished. However, we have been taught, crucifixion on a cross.
Confirmation of these thoughts is given by the fact that nowhere in the gospels, can we read that Jesus of Nazareth was nailed to a cross. In Acts, hanged on a tree, yes, but that is something very different. Let us stand aside momentarily from the word “cross” and briefly consider the meaning of the phrase “hanged on a tree”.
“Hanged on a tree” was chosen from Deut. 21:23. Hanged meaning, to remain in doubtful suspense, again to be taken figuratively. In Acts 5:30 it is a tree. To those possessing a torturous, injurious intent, the only tree they would have is a tree of the knowledge of evil, and of course, persecution is sadistically executed.
Speaking of Christ (a title) representing King of righteousness, King of peace, Peter said, “Who his own self bare our sins in his body to (margin) the tree…” The word “on” is written in the KJV text. The word “to” is written in the reference, as the word “on” is incorrect. This text in the Book of Peter has the word the (the definite article). The Revelator confirms this tree to be the tree of life (Rev. 22:14), “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”. Rev.22:14. So much for the myths taught and ingrained into our minds. It is not difficult to say that “venerable faith” cannot save when we see the absurdity of what it has taught.
Let us look at “cross upright and horizontal”. What did this mean?
As already stated, “cross” from the Greek word STAUROS, means - a stake or post as set upright. Coming from the base word HISTEMI it is used in various applications including stand-up - an upright and active position. We today might say, “stand up and be counted.”
If the cross has anything to do with the Spirit person, there needs be reference to a horizontal disposition also, to form a cross. You cannot have a cross without the intersection of the vertical with the horizontal. John 10:15-18 reads, “…I lay down my life for the sheep…I lay down my life that I might take it up again” (John 15:13). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.
Look up the original word for “lay” coming from the Greek TITHEMI and the primary word THEO meaning in a passive or horizontal posture. It indicated compassion. A curriculum of life would say, receiving or suffering without resistance, and in judgement, non-discriminatory.
Put the vertical upright with the horizontal compassion and we find a cross. But it is far from an actual, ritual cross. Was the purpose of Jesus of Nazareth solely to stand for justice, and to love and be helpful? No. His cross was a bit more purposeful in a missionary sense. And that is why, he did come not to send peace but a sword against darkness in high places. Nevertheless, the spirit person did heal and love from the heart and stand for justice.
Familiar to all, the word “cross” appears in several texts. Jesus advising the rich man said, “…take up the cross and follow me”. The spirit person also said, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”. The gospel of John gives this account of the Son of God, “And he bearing his cross went forth to a place called Golgotha.” Then there is the well-known text in Matthew at the time of Christ’s death. “If thou be the son of God come down from the cross”.
Ask, why use the word “cross” in these settings? It appears that the primary implication of these texts is to imply a cause, a commitment or an understanding. As there is no Gospel mention of Christ being put on a cross maybe we should examine the term “come down” for more elaboration. Yes, it means descend, get down, go down, step down, and fall down. In today’s parlance one might say, “Back off” “Drop dead”. Also if a voice of dissent be uttered the reaction might well be, “come down off your high horse”. I believe this is primarily the sentiment acrimony engenders. Where there is little debate, judgement becomes rife, and human progress in the light of love is extinguished.
Now a distortion regarding Cross.
However, there is one text that shows a blatant distortion in the translation of the New Testament - Phils. 2:8. In older versions this text reads regarding Christ Jesus, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”. Modern versions read as follows… “even the death on the cross”. This is wrong. The “cross” was a “cause” not a wooden object: “Take up the cause and follow me.” The word “of” is consistent with the original Gospel story. Lexicons also maintain the word “of” to be correct. It seems to me, theists in a virtually desperate and panic attempt to prolong their deception, have changed the rendition of this text to read “on the cross”. This alteration of the text appears in most of the recent versions. One could say, it is best to always research the original meanings of words. There is a need to see what the author thought and wrote, and not what the translators’ pre-conceived ecclesiastical view would have us believe.
Additionally, after much investigation, it becomes obvious the names of the characters tell us a great deal about the God-experience of biblical days. This has taught me that the intention of the scriptural writers was, to show imagination of spiritual implications or the essence of events. The writers artistically painted vivid pictures turning undertakings into memorial experiences to perceive living and personified behavioural principles of higher philosophy.
What did midrash say about “the Cross”?
Was the idea of the cross, related from midrash, or has it been assumed that a Roman custom was implemented? The Book of Obadiah gives an explicit narrated image of the time when Esau (at that time the confederacy of Edom), came against Jacob (or Jerusalem). Condemning Edom for violence against the children of Judah the servant of God writes, “Neither shouldst thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape…”. Finding that “crossway” from the Hebrew word PEREQ meant a fork in the road and in Greek “cross” is equivalent to “crossway”, I compared our English meaning. The dictionary reads, cross - across, anything that thwarts, obstructs, or perplexes, hindrance…not parallel, crosswise - cross one’s path. This signals to me an underlying meaning that would be heretical to some.
Cross and athwart.
Could the Gospel painters, in their lucid drawn recollection of the life-experience, of Jesus of Nazareth, the spirit person, see the Messianic Body as crossing the path of the untouchable elite status quo, the Pharisees and Sadducees. Was the Spirit-life athwart to the accepted traditions and doctrines of Judean ancestry, athwart to Judaism? The word “across” meant a hindrance that obstructed the passage of idolatrous, face-value legalism. This was athwart to the exacting of Levitical laws and ceremonials. In actuality the practicality of the Levitical laws were designed so that their significance would stimulate intellectual comprehension. Unfortunately restrictive Judean rhetoric took a very dogmatically orientated approach thus suffocating the very substance of faithfulness.
A Closure
Outspoken obstruction, causing bewilderment to many, must be silenced; it must be kept at bay! Crucify, meaning persecute or torment, was the cry. This suppression was carried out. By quelling the Messianic Body, thus quenching the Spirit, the subjugation of vox-populi was rife. Darkness covered the land. This shook the minds of many as an earthquake causes vibrations along a fault line. However, some did determine to stop and think again. They were quickened. The Sower had sowed the seed. The question became, would it germinate and rise again, to ignite the hearts of subsequent generations.
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Struth The Truth – Reclaiming the Light
[1] Stong’s Concordance 615/575 a prim. Participle; “off”, ie away (from something near), in various senses of place, time relation
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