To understand how Jesus differed from Jewish expectations you have to know about him. He was born in a stable, the first sign that he would not be a warrior king, and grew up as a carpenter, under the guidance of his stepfather Joseph. Right from the beginning of his life it was clear that Jesus was not going to be a warrior king but a gentle leader.
Throughout Jesus life there were many conflict stories involving Jesus and the leaders in which Jesus was accused of blaspheming, working on the Sabbath and, according to the Leaders, even healing people on the Sabbath was against the law!
Some people like the Apostles knew Jesus was the Messiah and that he was not a warrior . Some still waited for a warrior king and others just refused to accept him as the Messiah. By now the Jewish leaders were now actively trying to have Jesus killed but they had no power to, as the Roman governor was the only person who could execute people.
The fact that there were large gatherings when Jesus entered Jerusalem was something that the Jewish leaders could use against him when they put him before the governor as it gave an indication that Jesus was a revolutionary.
But up until know Jesus was not even guilty under Jewish law as he had only referred to himself as the “Son of Man”. But when he was brought before the high council, he was asked
“Are you the Messiah the Son of the Blessed God?” He replied “I am and you will all see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of the Almighty and coming with the clouds of heaven”
Mark (Ch 14 v 63-5)
This condemned him to death under Jewish law. Pontious Pilate, the Roman Governor, could still have saved Jesus but he refused to accept or deny the charges brought against him. Pilate then turned to the crowds and asked:
“What, then, do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “crucify him”. Pilate answered “But what crime has he committed?” They shouted all the louder “crucify him”
Mark (Ch 15 v 12-15)
So Jesus was led up to Golgotha (The Place of the Skull) and crucified between two criminals.
Theological Explanation
The story of Creation symbolises people’s sin and estrangement from God. Jesus death was a sign of atonement by which I mean Jesus atoned for human sin. Jesus death was all about reconciliation between God and us
The sacrifice Jesus made was all about love and the fulfilment of the new covenant, which was Jesus. The Passover was a symbol of the old and the Last Supper a symbol of the New Covenant.
In the day of Moses the Egyptian king was held to ransom as the Jew’s fought for liberation but Jesus used sacrifice and love to liberate people’s sin.
God sacrificed his only son to fulfil the covenant and reconcile his people. This is what the Jewish leaders of the time didn’t understand and they had him executed because they felt threatened, and the fact Jesus wasn’t a warrior didn’t help him as normal Jews didn’t understand why he was here.
Summary
The Historical evidence tells you how Jesus died and goes someway to telling you why Christians believe in Life after death. The Theological evidence shows that Jesus sacrificed himself and then rose and so we too believe we will rise again, in heaven with Jesus.
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