There was a theory that, being divine, he did not suffer.
This needed to be addressed in the bishop's creed
as it threatened the reality of his humanity.

Yet he could work miracles, so how could he suffer?
He knew it was coming and how it will end - didn't he?
As God, he could, if he willed, bring such pain to an end.
The orthodox doctrine can get awfully muddled at times!

The authors of the gospels had no real knowledge
of the tortures applied to those awaiting death.
What the soldiers did is pure conjecture;
probably the fantasies of some preacher
stirring the rage of later gatherings,
towards the Great Revolt.

However there is a more realistic explanation.
of his condemnation, suffering and death,
by looking at it as a parable
or lesson in commitment
to the Cause, the Way.

Are the authors then proclaiming
the depths of commitment to which we are called?
Are they asking if we are as committed to Kingdom values?
Are we willing to follow Jesus, our Lord,
into such an horrific form of death,
as others were doing at the time
throughout the Kingdom?

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