Posted on 04/08/2012 3:33:55 PM PDT by xuberalles
Passion of the Christ – as difficult as it is to watch – is an indelible, symbiotic work for one transcendent reason: why wouldn’t a man, if he didn’t truly believe he was the Son of God, simply renounce his claim rather than suffer so horribly at the hands of his detractors? For many, those who are equally fraught with human frailties, faith ultimately supercedes any fear of pain or indignation. Their spirit is ethereal and cannot be touched or diminished by such insatiable hate. Nothing is more profound, representative of the dichotomy between Jesus the man and Jesus the Son of God, than the philosophical bridge spanning these two iconic statements: “My God…why hast thou forsaken me?” and “It is finished!” It was this juxtaposition that became the genesis of the movie, The Last Temptation of Christ. Although many believed the movie to be blasphemous, the writer was simply trying to reconcile these contrasting feelings. In essence, he hypothesized that God showed Jesus what the world would have been like if he was but an ordinary man – defined by temptation and sin – rather than leading a life of virtue, and eventually, dying on the cross for the salvation of mankind. In this context, I believe this interpretation was both fascinating and ingenious; for you cannot study or appreciate Jesus the Son of God, without understanding his trials and tribulations as a man.
Whether you’re a devout Christian, an atheist, or an agnostic, one thing is for certain; a wealth of inspiration, wisdom, and hope can be drawn from the life and tragic death of Jesus of Nazareth. His life and testament embodied compassion, love and forgiveness, a stark contrast from the “fire & brimstone” wrath of the Old Testament. It’s not that he didn’t believe there would be stern consequences for our actions – albeit in life or the afterlife – Jesus simply recognized that as long as hope remained, sincere regret for our missteps, it was never too late to live a virtuous life or seek salvation; if only through our own conscience. Therefore, as we are mired in life’s daily tribulations and injustices – poverty, disease, violence or everyday petty contrivances – it becomes all the more vital to embrace one inescapable adage: the Kingdom of Heaven is in you, whether you believe in God or not. You only have to be willing to find it.
God Bless!
I like this essay, thanks for posting it. Anytime I hear about Jesus dying, I always want to say “but he didn’t die - that’s the point of his death.” After all, we all will die. Dying, in fact, is no great feat - everything that has ever lived, and even everything that has ever existed, has, or will, die. It is the most common of all acts.
Coming back from it, however... that’s another thing. And yet, Jesus was on a mission. He knew he couldn’t die. he was deathless before he became born, and never died when he was dead (in fact, I think he was quite busy while he was “dead”). On the other hand, if his life had any meaning at all, it was because it did allow himself the human experience, with all it’s joys and torments. So yes, he also knew that he could have chosen to live a “normal” human life, but that’s not why he took human form in the first place.
Agreed. Thank you for the read and comments.
Why did he save himself from the Cross? Because he nailed himself onto that Cross, for the love of us. The divine Thirst for Love for sinners is so immeasurable that it took Death on the Cross to satisfy. Witnessing the Lord’s Love for us, there is no need for any further proof or miracle to believe in him. They had crucified Christ our Savior, and then they abused him; so if the world abuses you, reviles you, consider you have been crucified with Christ.
Thank you so much for posting this.
I have been meditating on all Jesus has done for us. Some of it spent on my knees thanking Him for all He did and all He continues to do.
Here is a video that I think you will enjoy. Happy Easter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcKB-QDVEfc&feature=related
FANTASTIC reply!!
Whether you’re a devout Christian, an atheist, or an agnostic...the Kingdom of Heaven is in you, whether you believe in God or not
This above quote is a false statement. The truth is The Kingdom of God is only in those who believe in Jesus, and have been saved by the Holy Spirit.
Everyone has a conscience in which they are “without excuse” (and do recognize God), however they do not have nor are they a part of His kingdom unless saved by faith through His Grace.
-JS
For me, it is Hell.
On August 15, 1981, I received Jesus as my Savior because the man witnessing to me, a born-again, Messianic Jew, led me to a mirror and had me look at me and I saw I was already a demon posessed, hell bound sinner. (don't read too much into the demon posessed thing, drugs and alcohol are demonic and et cetera)
So the path to salvation is for any one, the road of your life that led you to Jesus and you asked Him to save you.
Jesus never trod that path
I think you are wrong, my FRiend. In fact, I think that if Jesus never trod that path, his entire life would have been utterly pointless.
You accept that Jesus allowed himself to exist in the human condition, right? With all it's joys and sorrows, right?
ALL.
He's Divine, dude. He doesn't need your experiences to get to your level of suffering. All he needs to do is get into a human body, and ask God to give it to him.
And he DID.
Why do you think he literally sweated blood in Gethsemane? What kind of suffering would it take for a Divine Being, someone who knows he's literally God, to cry out in such agony that he says "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
You know what I think? I think if you experienced one second of what Jesus took on, you wouldn't suffer - you'd vaporize into a fine red mist.
IMHO, of course.
Happy Easter! (and I mean that with genuine good will!)
Here’s a look at it from a similar but different angle which I heard posited by the late Dr. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge, FL.
IF Jesus had been an impostor; wouldn’t he have thrown in the towel when the scenario reched the point of the 39 lashes and the hammer and spikes; as you suggested?
But beyond that, there stood his mother. SHE had been standing by her claims of Jesus conception by the Holy Spirit all through His childhood and ministry. But when crunchtime came, and the hammer and spikes were ready to be utilized, wouldn’t you think she’d have finally dropped the charade and run screaming and confessing....and “please don’t kill my son; I confess; we meant no harm?”
But He COULDN’T RECANT, and neither could Mary! It was all true, and there was nothing TO DO but to let God’s Plan unfold, and keep trusting Him.
God is not willing that any should perish.
I am remarking to the title of the thread, not the theology.
I was writing with the idea that they are the same.
In any event, my opinions are just that - my opinions.
Peace.
Satan believes in Yah'shua. One needs to call on his NAME for salvation. See: Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 Also see: Gen. 2:19; 4:26; 16:11; 1 Ki. 18:24; 2 Ki. 5:11; 1 Chr. 16:8; Ps. 105:1; 116:13, 17; Isa. 7:14; 12:4; 44:5; 48:2; Jer. 3:17; Mic. 6:9; Zeph. 3:9; Zech. 13:9; Rom. 10:13; 1 Co. 1:2; Jas. 5:14 Yah'shua's NAME is YHvH be/is my salvation. Belief in Jesus will not save you.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Theres a quote which I carry with me, it goes “humanity is not to be found in reason, but rather in the spark of life”
People have their limitations assumptions doctrines personalities and particular ways of thinking, but I think what God put in all of us can be reached by us all and that is what the author seems to be trying to say here.
No, it cannot be found in all of us- we are sinful (and therfore totally corrupt) according to the Bible- the Hope and Truth is ONLY found in Jesus, and as Eph 2:8-9 says “you have been saved by Grace, through faith; it is a gift of God that no man may boast”.
It has to be given by God, or you are still lost. -JS. This is correct doctrine.
Wrong-according to the Bible those who haven’t been “born again”-Jesus words, are still dead. God, through Jesus Christ gives them the option to live by recieving Him, His perfect sacrifice through faith. However it really doesn’t matter what you believe about a “spark of life” what God says is true and He dissagrees with you, that there is something alive in everyone.
There is an empty hole which needs God, but only God can give us what we need, by His Grace, not our works or anything else.
There is no spark in everyone, unless they are ‘born of the spirit’. -JS
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.