The skeleton of a crucified man was found in a first century Roman-era cemetery recently in Cambridgeshire, England. The archaeologists said the victim’s feet were most likely “positioned on either side of the cross’s upright post, the feet fastened by horizontal nails through the heels” (“Crucified,” British Archaeology, Jan.-Feb. 2022). This is the second time a skeleton has been found with a spike through the heel. The first one was found near Jerusalem in 1968 and is on display in the Israel Museum. Thousands upon thousands were crucified in the Roman Empire for crimes such as murder, treason, and insurrection. The most infamous case of crucifixion was that of Jesus Christ who was falsely charged with insurrection and crucified on order of Pontus Pilate, Roman governor of Judea, at the instigation of the Jewish Sanhedrin. Christ’s crucifixion was prophesied in about 1000 BC by David in Psalm 22. It describes the piercing of His hands and feet, His bones out of joint, the terrible thirst, the mocking, staring crowd, the casting of lots for His cloak. “They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Psalm 22:14-18).
(Friday Church News Notes, December 17, 2021, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)