He pushed himself up against the spikes one last time, his body trembling from exhaustion and desperate pain, and drew in a ragged breath.  Collapsing once more, he spoke three last words. “It…is…finished…” His bloody head fell forward; his torn body sagged. Jesus of Nazareth was dead. Could there be anything more wrong? A truly good man, totally innocent and absolutely perfect, had been betrayed, falsely accused, denied a fair trial, tortured, and finally brutally executed. He hadn’t done anything to deserve it. But the religious leaders, motivated by things like jealously, fear, pride, and hatred had set him up. Pilate, not wanting to cause conflict with the Jews, agreed…