Who Killed Jesus?: Setting the Record Straight

BreakPoint ^ | 12 Feb 04 | Charles Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

The cover of the latest NEWSWEEK magazine asks the right question: "Who killed Jesus?" This has been a raging debate for a year, since Mel Gibson started his remarkable film project THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. He immediately ran into a buzz saw of opposition from the liberal media and Jewish groups who were afraid the film would rekindle anti-Semitism.

Now, Jews have a legitimate concern about this. During the Middle Ages, Christians treated Jews terribly. In Russia there were pogroms against the Jews. And of course some of the maniacs around Hitler professed that they were killing Jews to purify the Christian race.

But is this sensitivity today well-founded? If we would look at history alone, we would have to say that Pontius Pilate certainly was guilty. Legend has it that years after the crucifixion he was frantically washing his hands trying to cleanse himself from the blood of Christ. And, of course, Caiphus the High Priest certainly bears his share of responsibility. So do the crowds who yelled, "Crucify him." So was it the Romans or the Jews, the venality of Pontius Pilate or the passion of the mob?

It was both and neither. The Jews didn't cause the death of Jesus, nor did the Romans. They were merely instruments carrying out what God had decreed. He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross so that the sins of mankind might be forgiven. And those who take Scripture seriously have always known who killed Jesus: You and I and all other sinful human beings did so.

Mel Gibson understands this. In his movie, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, the hand holding the spike being nailed through Christ's wrist is Gibson's. Who killed Jesus? Mel Gibson knows. And he made the very point with his own hand that he was responsible, not the Jews.

Similarly the Dutch painter, Rembrandt painted THE RAISING OF THE CROSS as a self-portrait. As Christ hangs on the cross while it is being lifted into place, the soldier pulling it up is Rembrandt. Who killed Jesus? Rembrandt knew. He did. And I did. And you did. We're the ones who sent Jesus to the cross loaded down with our sins.

So enough of this foolish controversy. My advice to Christians is that you make it abundantly clear to your friends and neighbors that we are the ones responsible and then take them to see the film. Let them experience the passion and explain to them why it was necessary for Jesus to go to the cross. And be ready with a biblical answer for your Jewish friends who hear all of this propaganda, most of it stirred up by professional activists.

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says that it is not who is to blame that really has everybody up in arms. The media elite know that if people see this film, the right answer to the haunting question "Who Killed Jesus?" will be clear. What strikes terror into the hearts of the media elite is that people might once again be convicted of sin, repent, and come to faith in Christ.

So, three cheers for Mel Gibson. And thanks to NEWSWEEK for asking the right question, even if it does not have the right answer. But now it is up to us Christians to do our job to educate our neighbors and flood the movie theaters.

[Texas2step]

Prove it. Present some evidence that would hold up in court.

I see you've modified your arguement. Good. That means we're making some progress. You're no longer asking for proof that "the Jews" killed Jesus.

But it's evident you still haven't read everything posted. Maybe I need to write in bigger letters so you can read it. I'll try to use simple words:

• The Christians do not blame "the Jews" for Jesus death.
• We don't need any proof. It's called faith for a reason. We have beliefs for a reason.
• What "proof" do you have that God even exists?
• What "proof" do you have that God created the heavens and the earth?
• What "proof" do you have that God destroyed humanity (with the exception of 8 people) in a great flood?
  
  I don't challenge your faith and beliefs. You should stop stomping on mine, particularly since you do not understand them.

Still waiting on what you find offensive about my beliefs (I've posted them a couple of times previously, but you've yet to respond.)

[jwh_Denver]

God in His fabulous and unfathomable wisdom had a plan before the foundation of the world to gain a family who would love Him. I've seen too much opinion unsupported by Scripture here. I will offer Scriptures to make my point and I will respect your opinion whether it is supported by Scripture or not.

The actual death of Jesus Christ was carried out by the Romans but what do the Scriptures say?

Act 3:12 And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.
Act 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
Act 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are


1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:
1Th 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

God clearly puts the blame on the then living Jews. God blamed them in the physical realm but He also says there a spiritual killer as well;

1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (princes here refers to higher ranking devil spirits)

God here blames devil spirits for Jesus Christ death. But as it says they didn't know something that if they knew it they would have let Jesus Christ live. But God is wiser than the devil and his henchman.

For those of you who want to accept the blame for something that happened 2,000 years help youself. I respect your opinion. But as one poster said "why should you place blame on youself for something you weren't around to do" If this wasn't true then we as Christians must accept reparations for slavery. The Scriptures say:

Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

That one man was Adam. Once he sinned and was kicked out of the Garden of Eden all mankind save Jesus Christ was born with a sinful nature. It was not our fault. Even as Christians we have this sinful nature but through the fantastic plan of God had through Jesus Christ He gave to us "THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST". Sure we sin now but what God is clearly saying here is that WE ARE RIGHTEOUS because of what He was able to do through Jesus Christ. "The just shall live by faith." All we have to do is to find out what that "gift" is and believe that it has been given to us freely by God! The Good News of the Gospel is not bondage, nor blaming ourselves for our sins, we were born that way. Read and study the Scriptures and ask God to increase your believing and ask Him to show you Himself. A whole new world awaits you. A world by God. Sure, we won't be perfect until the time of Redemption but we can walk worthy of Him until that time. Not by ourselves but by believing.

[Colofornian]

We all killed Christ, every last one of us.

As Luther said, we carry the very nails of Christ in our pockets--each of us.

[wai-ming]

But, we are also taught that God has a redeeming plan for His people (the Jews) and that they remain God's chosen people who will be protected by God through the end of time?

Does God have two plans--one for the Christians and another for the Jews?

As I understand it, everyone must "believe in Jesus" in order to be "saved." Most of the Jews (God's "chosen" people) do not accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Never have.

Did God make some kind of "exception" for them so that they can be saved regardless of their belief (or lack of it)? Where (in the Bible) does it say that the Jews "get a pass" when in comes to believing in Jesus Christ?

And how about the millions of Jews who died in the holocaust? Are they now in hell because they didn't "accept Jesus," or are they in heaven because they are God's chosen ones?

[Nan48]

"I didn't know He was dead."

My thoughts exactly. I guess we could say he was temporarily removed from his body.

The real question should be is, "Who made [makes] Jesus suffer?"

[#3Fan]

Good post, the seed of Judah and the Roman governer and Roman soldiers may have went along with it but it was the Kenites that instigated it and propagandized the Judean crowd into going along with it (prompting Jesus to say "forgive them father [referring to the seed of Judah] for they know not what they do"), the same way our liberal media, educational, and the liberal side of the political institutions propagandize wrong things today. It just takes a few evil ones standing in the crowd to chant and pretty soon everyone will chant the same thing because they don't know any better.

[Agnes Heep]

God in His fabulous and unfathomable wisdom had a plan before the foundation of the world ...

For the life of me I can't understand why a Christian would have the humility to refer to the Almighty wisdom as "unfathomable," seeing as how they had Him completely figured out just about from day one.

[Texas2step]

Does God have two plans--one for the Christians and another for the Jews?

Did I say He did?

As I understand it, everyone must "believe in Jesus" in order to be "saved."

Did I say anything to contradict this?

Most of the Jews (God's "chosen" people) do not accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Never have.

Ah, but one day they will accept the Christ, God's Messiah.

Did God make some kind of "exception" for them so that they can be saved regardless of their belief (or lack of it)? Where (in the Bible) does it say that the Jews "get a pass" when in comes to believing in Jesus Christ?

You are putting words in my mouth. Words I did not speak. You cannot challenge the truth of what I speak.

[wai-ming]

You are putting words in my mouth. Words I did not speak.

My apologies if that is what you inferred from my questions. They were meant to stimulate discussion and were not aimed specifically at you.

Here are some more questions (for all) to consider. You do not have to respond if you choose not to.

The Christians claim to be "saved." The Jews claim to be "chosen." Is the reverse also true? Are the Christians "not chosen" and the Jews "not saved?" Which is better, to be saved or to be chosen?

You mentioned that "one day" the Jews will accept Christ as God's Messiah. Can they afford to risk it (not accepting Christ) until that day comes?

[Inyokern]

1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:

1Th 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

God clearly puts the blame on the then living Jews.

Bull!. PAUL put the blame on the Jews. Paul was not God.

[jwh_Denver]

PAUL put the blame on the Jews.

That's what these verses say. If your point of contention is the "then living Jews" I agree with you. That was added on my part and I was wrong to add to the Scriptures.

[Inyokern]

That's what these verses say. If your point of contention is the "then living Jews" I agree with you.

No, my point of contention is when you said "God clearly put the blame on...." That is an unjustified statement.

God put the blame on the Jews ACCORDING TO PAUL. Paul was not God.

[Mr. Silverback]

The ones I am referring to are the ones (as you said) who are too wrapped up in their doctrinal dogma to see the Light.

I figured you and I were going to the same place with that, but I just felt what I said had to be said. God Bless!

[Mr. Silverback]

Poor Chuck Colson.

Why?

[stuartcr]

Scripture is fine and good, but one has to have a belief that it is true...and that is all it is...a belief...you can not quote scripture and convince anyone, unless they already think as you do...quotes from a very old book, are not necessarily truths.

[Lazamataz]

Quoting Kinky Friedman, we Jews believe it was Santa Claus that killed Jesus Christ.

[Ciexyz]

Pull out your compact (you ladies, anyway) and open it and look in that mirror: We're the guilty party. We're the reason that God sent his Son Jesus to pay the ultimate price.

[Ciexyz]

Jesus died to save even the filmmakers of soft porn trash that appears on the OXY channel.

[Texas2step]

My apologies if that is what you inferred from my questions.

No problem. I may have over-reacted. With others "putting words in my mouth" from other posts, I probably jumped on that a little hard. :-)

[Dr. Frank fan]

Is Gibson going to put up a disclaimer on the screen, "None of these events are meant to portray any person living or dead?" He should, but I don't think he will. He is accusing real people of doing things that he cannot prove.

1. Did Ridley Scott put this disclaimer in the film Gladiator? (I honestly don't know. Nor do I think it matters. I wasn't offended by Ridley Scott's vile charages against the Roman emperor "Commodus".)

2. Along these lines, exactly which "real people" do you think Mel Gibson is accusing of having done something? And what is he accusing these "real people" of having done?

Let's take an example. Presumably in the film there will be a Roman guard portrayed hammering nails into Jesus' hand. Maybe that Roman guard's name (in the movie) will be, oh, Joey.

What you seem to be saying is that Mel Gibson is accusing Joey the year-0 Roman guard of having hammered that nail. Poor Joey!

Another example: presumably in the crowd of people asked to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, there will be scenes of people saying "we want Barabbas!!" One of the guys saying it, perhaps his name in the film is Third Jew From The Left.

What you seem to be saying is that Mel Gibson is accusing Third Jew From The Left of having preferred Barabbas.

Question: are these actually "real people"? In what sense?

Who exactly should be offended by the charges being levelled against them by Mel Gibson? The descendents of Third Jew From The Left? Kindly point them out, if you will.

Do you even know what you're talking about? You haven't even seen the film. Right?