Matthew 27 and 28

Chapters 27-28

This finishes Matthew.  I'm just going to give two quotes and paraphrase

something about the crucifixion.  When we get to John and Luke we'll talk

more about the resurrection.  This is a little longer, I hope you'll feel

it's worth the time to read.

The place of crucifixion was by a public road.  The Romans wanted to set an

example for the people passing by.  Crucifixion is probably still the most

horrible way to die.  When nails are driven through the wrists, they sever

the median nerve which is one of the five main nerves in the body.  When you

bump the nerve in your elbow, you get a very small taste of the pain

involved. With the feet at the angle they are at, the person can push up to

relieve the pain in the upper body, but then all of the weight is on the

feet where the nails are driven through.  Plus the odd angle of the legs

causes great pain and cramping in the leg muscles.  This can only be stood

so long before the body slumps back down causing the rib cage to collapse

bringing great pain in the upper body and making breathing difficult.  All

of the weight is on the shoulders, wrists and nails.  The blood begins to

pool and stomach becomes bloated causing severe abdominal pain.  Plus there

is terrible thirst.  And yet, all of this was of no comparison to the pain

he suffered in Gethsemane with the atonement.

This quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell reminds me of how perfectly the Savior

understands everything we feel and go through, and how little I appreciate

what the Savior has done for me.

"Can we, even in the depths of disease, tell Him anything at all about

suffering?  In ways we cannot comprehend, our sicknesses and infirmities

were borne by Him even before they were borne by us.  The very weight of our

combined sins caused Him to descend below all.  We have never been, nor will

we be, in depths such as He has known.  Thus His atonement made perfect His

empathy and His mercy and His capacity to [care] for us, for which we can be

everlastingly grateful as he He tutors us in our trials.

And when we feel so alone, can we presume to teach Him who trod 'the

winepress alone' anything about being forsaken?  Should we rush forth

eagerly to show Him our press clippings and mortal medals - our scratches

and bruises - as He bears His five special wounds?

Indeed, we cannot teach him anything!  But we can listen to Him.  We can

love Him; we can honor Him; we can worship Him.  We can keep His

commandments, and we can feast upon his scriptures."