Chris Shelmerdine, Bristol, England – Patrick Dacey’s letter (June 28) ponders whether Jesus was killed illegally. St Peter would have had no problem with the question, as his complaint was only that “You killed him” (Acts 2:23). But my question is: “Did they?”
John says: “and bowing his head he gave up his spirit” (19:30). Luke says: “He said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’.” Matthew says: “But Jesus…yielded up his spirit” (27:50). And Mark says: “But Jesus…breathed his last” (15:36).
Jesus was in Control
All four evangelists indicate that Jesus was playing an active role at the moment of his death. He did not die simply because he had been killed in terms of an execution order, or because his strength and vitality finally deserted him.
Rather, it seems to me that he was ordered and/or permitted by his Father to die, since everything that had to be done, in terms of divine requirements, had now been done.
Thus Jesus died because he and his Father had decided from eternity that he should die. And that that was the exact moment for him to do so.
I don’t know why St Peter wrote just, “You killed him”? Surely a creature has no power to kill his infinitely powerful creator?
If you or any of your readers have comments, I would be most interested to read them.
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