Well said Roxie and Wragg. There is no opt out with crucifixion. The only choice is in how you meet the challenge, how you answer the extreme test put to you.
I think our rookies have done an astounding job, gently guided by Wragg and PP. Fantastic work all round! Such expression, such conviction.
I'd love to play too, if time and time zones permit
Meanwhile all the great work here and in Deborah's threads have inspired me to a little impromptu meditation/imagination.
I was thinking about the prelude to crucifixion, the "every bone and sinew creaking" effort of carrying a heavy cross or beam to the place of execution. So -
Imagine that you are a woman, bent under the weight of a heavy piece of wood. This is substantial wood. Strong enough to take the weight of a woman and bear it aloft. Strong enough to hold her there, between heaven and earth, for the rest of her life.
You are young, yes, and fit. But you are not sturdy, you are half the size of these men who surround you. They could carry this weight. For you this is more than an effort, this is a titanic struggle, every step uncertain, every muscle straining to maintain balance and forward momentum. You can barely hold it off the ground, and yet they want you to carry it up this hill? You put everything into it, as if your life depends on it. Sadly, in reality, every step shortens your life, brings you closer to the end.
You let out a long cry, something between a groan and a growl. It focuses your effort as you heft that wood another step further. It raises your spirit slightly, but it saps your energy that little bit more.
They know you will not get this cross up there on your own. They know you will need to be helped. Soon they will take some of the weight from you. Exhausted, you will be grateful for the relief. This is just a light entertainment for them, a laugh to pass the time. You know that the main event will take place up there, on the hill.
What condition will you be in then, when the real ordeal starts?