Click here to listen to The Sacrifice of the Son of God as delivered by Alex Hall, Apr 27, 2008 in Atlanta Georgia. Commentary by John Obelenus
In the introduction Alex brings up a good point about assumptions and how they guide how we assimilate information into our pre-existing belief structure.
Next he brings a strong counterpoint to the common belief that Jesus had to be God to die for our sins. Based on a survey of the New Testament, it is in fact Jesus’ humanity that was a necessity for forgiveness, not any divinity.
As I sat in an Easter service today, I couldn’t help but dwell on the idea that the understanding that the writers of the New Testament are working out a theology to deal with reality. They didn’t sit down and craft how they could get from a nationalistic warrior Messiah theology to a peaceable wisdom teacher calling Israel to repent, who is then killed by his countrymen. Nor, did they have to figure out a way to justify the idea of a Messiah being, not only vivified, but resurrected from the dead into glory. They didn’t have to figure out how they would admit Gentiles into their Jewish religion, without going through the standard Jewish ways – they just did because of reality.
This weekend is the date on the calendar for Easter and even though I believe that it should be next month and lined up with Passover (since the NT tells us Jesus arose after Passover), my thoughts still have been on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus this week. So I thought I would write a post on that subject.
What day of the week was Jesus crucified on?
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I was reading through the book of Mark the other day, and I could not help but notice a pattern. Several times when Jesus talks about his crucifixion the surrounding context is about power.
Unfortunately, as I now realize, I should have started with this post. However, I was not prepared enough to do it. Now we get to examine not an abstract theology of atonement – but rather look at the history. In a way, this is sidestepping the more traditional methods of grasping the atonement. Yet it proves, at least to me, to be fundamental for understanding anything about the atonement. And it answers the perpetual question that every Christian and historian must account for: why did Jesus die?
Now we get to focus on why the Resurrection is salvific and live-giving. The NT, and definitively the end of Matthew, declare Jesus to have the victory in his resurrection. Because of the resurrection he has defeated evil. The world pulled out all the stops to destroy the Messiah, and the Messiah bore their sin, and came out the other side. And now Jesus, legitimately by fact and appointment, is above all principalities and powers, the lord of all. As we identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection we take part in what it has to offer. By dying, in repentance and loving obedience – carrying our cross, and being resurrected as a new creature freed from slavery to sin, we come out the other side as well.
Often times, it would seem from our language, that it only matters that Jesus died. But we seriously have to think about that. What was the reaction upon Jesus’ death – even after he tells his disciples what is about to happen? They abandon him. They have the worst three days of their life. The man they believed to be the Messiah is dead. Only because Jesus gets up do they have hope. Only because Jesus is resurrected are any of our claims valid. Only because of the resurrection are Jesus’ claims about himself valid.
First we have to look at this idea of the Messiah dying. This is the most radical element of Christianity (as far as being different from Judaism). Every other element of Christianity has some root, some beginning idea in Judaism. But not the death and resurrection of the Messiah. Moreover, we understand Jesus to also be the “son of man”. This son of man is typified as the one who will judge for God. And of course the Messiah is the claimant to the throne of Israel, and authority over the world.
We’ve got to talk a little bit more about Passover. Looking back at Passover, the Jewish people saw the exodus, how God saved them from Egypt. There has been much, mostly correct, talk about how John the Baptist is out in the desert calling for a New Exodus, and how a theme of Jesus’ ministry is also New Exodus/Return from Exile. This “Return from Exile” theme stems on the fact that the Jewish people felt they never really return from the exile to establish Israel again. There is actually a good summary of these ideas at Singing In The Reign
This weekend is the date on the calendar for Easter and even though I believe that it should be next month and lined up with Passover (since the NT tells us Jesus arose after Passover), my thoughts still have been on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus this week. So I thought I would write a post on that subject.