Page 158
"And on Friday too. Always on Friday. Same time as He died, between twelve and three. But they can't take this one's life too soon after the recognition of His death, because it might upset the sensitive few. It can happen less than two week later, though, because even the sensitive few will have forgotten about their Savior's death by then."
-Grant's thoughts on Jefferson's execution date being so close to Easter
This is the first reference Grant has made to Christ, without mentioning the words 'I,' 'don't,' and 'believe.' It almost seems here like he is comparing Jefferson to Christ. And this isn't the first time this has occurred. On page 139 Jefferson asked about if Christmas was when Christ was born or dies. After realizing Easter was when he died he said, "Easter was when they nailed Him to the cross. And He never said a mumbling word." I wondered then if Jefferson was trying to be Christ-like. Die without complaining, or making a fuss. This quote seems to place similarities on the two again. I'm thinking this is the tie in religion has. Not that Jefferson is God, but that he is a sacrifice for the community. Maybe Jefferson's death will strike a chord within the white community, or even within Grant, to change their ways. That could be what his sacrifice is about.
"Jesus 5." B.Yonest Invazion. Web. 10 Jul 2011. <http://invazion.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/jesus-5.jpg>.
Consider the phrase "to be martyred" for a cause. Is it applicable here? If Jefferson is Christ-like in the sense that he is being killed in innocence what does society have to gain or lose from his innocent death? Can you be Christ-like and hog-like as well?
ReplyDeleteAlso the part about Christ saying nothing isn't completely accurate. Seven sayings or so are attributed in the traditional protestant Bible to Christ, but only one can be interpreted as a complaint "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" from the books of Matthew and Mark.
I doubt Jefferson knows this and I doubt Grant cares, but I can't help but wonder about how Jefferson's final words will sound....