I think almost anyone reading this blog would be of the opinion that Jesus expected to die in Jerusalem. What has stood out to me this time through the passion stories is that I have almost had the impression that Jesus was provoking his death.
At least in Mark, Jesus seems to plan on Sunday what he will do in the temple on Monday. Then on Tuesday his Parable of the Vineyard (assuming this is where it goes historically) was extremely insulting and provoking. Some of course wonder if Judas himself was only provoking a confrontation by betraying Jesus, not expecting him to end up dead but victorious.
So it is no surprise to find Jerusalem leaders plotting his demise on Wednesday. And Judas plays right into their schemes. Although the timing is different in John, Caiaphas suggests that it is better for one man to die than the whole nation perish. Ironically, he was right. Jesus died so that the rest of the world does not have to die eternally.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
A nation cannot "take a life" and still be considered "righteous". Nazi Germany believed you could and should take many lives for the sake of "purity" of the nation!!
Individuals are responsible moral agents that choose the communities they are to be a part of and the reasons of commitment. But, nations are to protect (and some believe provide) for those in her "walls" and sometimes, even outside her "walls". Should the Church be less constrained in their "morality"??
Jesus, as man, suffered grave persecution under and in the name of religion. The prophets had exhorted the nation of Israel to provide and protect humanity, Jesus was just coming to illustrate that kind of love. But, he did so at the expense of his life, because he believed in life. So should we...
Post a Comment