The Cross & History - Israel, Rome & Jesus

Four Portraits - The Gospels & the Cross

The Cross & The Reformers

The Cross, the Church & Ministry

Paul – Earliest Reflection on the Cross of Christ

The Cross of ChristThe Cross of Christ

The Cross, The Early Church & the Doctrine of Christ

The Cross & Salvation - Atonement & Justification

The Cross in the Modern Era

The Cross & HistoryThe Cross & History

Why did Jesus Die on the Cross?Why did Jesus Die on the Cross?

He Challenged & Angered the Religious Leaders.

He Threatened Roman Rule

He was a Political Scapegoat

He Died to save us from our sinsHe Died to reveal God’s love for humanity

He Died to appease God’s Anger

He Died to defeat Satan & Reclaim the Cosmos for God.

History

Theology

Understanding the CrossUnderstanding the Cross

Cross as Symbol - Cross as Symbol - Artifact, Ritual, or Sign - Articulates & reinforces Artifact, Ritual, or Sign - Articulates & reinforces communal & individual identity, environment, morality, & future communal & individual identity, environment, morality, & future orientation. Symbols determine what will & what will not be intelligible or orientation. Symbols determine what will & what will not be intelligible or assimilated by a particular culture.assimilated by a particular culture.

Cross as History Cross as History Event that Occured in Event that Occured in

space & timespace & time

Cross as TruthCross as TruthHow Christ’s death is How Christ’s death is

understood, described, understood, described, evaluated & placed within evaluated & placed within

larger framework of larger framework of meaningful relationships. meaningful relationships.

History, Truth & the CrossHistory, Truth & the Cross

Actual Event - With Symbolic Theological Implication

HISTORYHISTORY - Not Legendary - Not Legendary

REVELATION - REVELATION - Nature of God, Nature of God, humankind, Sin, Redemption & Hopehumankind, Sin, Redemption & Hope

RELEVANCE RELEVANCE - Informs that church as to - Informs that church as to its own identity, its message, its its own identity, its message, its ministry, and its own suffering. ministry, and its own suffering.

Historical MethodHistorical Method

THE EVIDENCE

•KEY QUESTIONS: Who, What, Where, When, & Why?

•What actually Occurred? Not a matter of belief, but a matter of description

Now I Know!!! Now I Know!!!

TRADITION: Training, Knowledge, Procedures, Authority, Practices, Virtues, Disciplines, & Belief.

HISTORIANHISTORIAN

EVENT

The Bible

Theological MethodTheological Method

EVENT

Now I Know!!! Now I Know!!! TRADITION: Training, Knowledge, Procedures, Authority, Practices, Virtues, Disciplines, & Belief.

TheologianTheologian

•Description •Synthesis •Interpretation •Application

•3 Spiritual Tasks•Enlightenment •Discipleship •Transformation

•4 AcademicTasks

BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION

Crucifixion as History:EvidenceCrucifixion as History:Evidence

Crucifixion well Attested Historically: Three Crucifixion well Attested Historically: Three Different PerspectivesDifferent Perspectives

JosephusJosephusBibleBible Jewish WritingsJewish Writings

Israel, Israel, Rome Jesus

IsraelIsrael: The Judges Cycle: The Judges CycleIsrael Forgets

CovenantCommits Idolatry

Conquered

Israel RepentsYahweh Hears

Israel’s Cry

Yahweh Restores Israel

Babylonians Persians Greeks Romans

Suffering and Election: Blessing and CursesSuffering and Election: Blessing and Curses

Suffering and Election: Blessing and CursesSuffering and Election: Blessing and Curses 26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. 27 The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you….

Suffering and Election: Blessing and CursesSuffering and Election: Blessing and Curses ...But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers…

Deuteronomy 4:25ff

Israel and EschatologyIsrael and Eschatology

•Israel’s current plight, covenant & punishment for sin.

•Righteousness fulfilled through suffering, grace & forgiveness God’s Kingdom comes.

•New Covenant - Circumcision of the Heart. Surpass the old - Established by God’s righteousness & Power

The Messiah as SaviorThe Messiah as SaviorProphet

Israel’s Teacher & judge Lead nations to righteousness

Priest

Restore Temple & Sacrifice Provide for Atonement & Re-establish proper worship of God To usher in Kingdom of God.

King

Destroys Israel’s enemies. Restores Israel’s place as Chief of the nations.

Usher in the Kingdom of God & bring eternal shalom.

Jesus and IsraelJesus and Israel

How did Jesus view his own Identity and Ministry?

Jesus as Christ - The AnointedJesus as Christ - The Anointed

How did Jesus view his own Identity and Ministry?

Baptism - Reception of Messianic Calling and Mandate.

King - Inauguration Kingdom of God; Worker of mighty Power. Establishment of New Israel…

Prophet - Authoritative Teacher - New Covenant Ministry: Revolutionary understanding of God, Kingdom, Ministry

Priest - Purifier of the Temple - Builder of New Temple

Prophet: Teacher of Righteousness

Brings the Father’s Message

Authority of God - Extends & modifies the Torah

Announces Breaking in of the Kingdom & Need for Repentance - Rejects violent uprising instead argues for Kingdom established by God through righteousness…

Israel as the Light of the World.

Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Priest: Purification of the Temple:

LK 21:5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."

Interest in Purity and Forgiveness

Emphasis on Internal & External Righteousness

Atonement - Sacrificial System Replaced suggestion of Temple and his Body

Inauguration of the Kingdom of God; Selects 12 Apostles that Represent New Israel

Claims the Kingdom has come.

Views his presence and ministry as fulfillment of the Prophets

LK 12:49 "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Destroy and then Restore Israel.

Preaches Kingdom of inverts the current status Quo. The Ins are out and the outs are in.

King: Establishment of New Israel:

In word & action Jesus points to his upcoming death in terms of the Passover/Exodus.

The Cross & Last SupperThe Cross & Last Supper

Reinterprets Passover

New Symbols Given

Death & New Covenant

John 6:56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

The Last Supper: Ritual meal Given Jesus Ministry & the opposition he faced, and his overturning of the sacrificial system. Jesus understood that his blood was required for a new

covenant.

A New CommunionA New Communion: : Jesus’ body Feast of Unleavened Bread.Jesus’ body Feast of Unleavened Bread.

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

A New CovenantA New Covenant: : Symbolized in the BreadSymbolized in the Bread

The unleavened bread represents the critical moment has arrived. Israel’s alienation from God would end.

Those that share the bread represent Israel restored.

New CovenantNew Covenant: : Jesus’ Blood as the Blood of New CovenantJesus’ Blood as the Blood of New Covenant

MT 26:27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

A New CovenantA New Covenant: : Symbolized in the CupSymbolized in the Cup

The Cup - “blood of the Covenant” Atones for sin & establishes new Covenant Through Redemptive Sacrifice. The Suffering Servant.

•As Prophet - Announced Judgment upon Israel, Jerusalem & the Temple.

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! ” "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

Why was Jesus Crucified?

•As Priest he had Cleansed the Temple.

•As Messiah - He was regarded as its rightful ruler.

•Jesus’ reinterpretation of the Torah was seen as blasphemy by the Pharisees.

•Jesus was hanged on the eve of Passover. The herald went before him for forty days saying, ‘ He is going forth to be stoned because he practised sorcery and enticed and led Israel astray. Let everyone knowing anything in his defense come and plead for him.’ But nothing was found in his defence so he was hanged on the eve of Passover. bSangh. 43a

Crime: “false prophet” Deut 13. Through his works of power he was “leading Israel astray…”

Why was Jesus Crucified? The Jewish Charge

Jesus was Charged with breaking Jewish Law

•Jesus’ action in the temple put him in conflict with Chief Priest.

Reasons for Crucifixion? Jewish Crime - Roman Concern.

•Pilate must pass sentence. Thus Crime must be against Roman Law and concern… “he claimed to be King”.

•Romans Taunt Jesus as a would be King.

•At the Cross, Priests, Scribes, taunt Jesus as would be Prophet.

Capital Punishment, however, was restricted to the Roman Government.

PontiusPontius PilatePilate

Pilate - Insecure, provocative & Incompetent. Disliked & Despised by Jews -

He in Turn Sought to Spite them.

Thwarts Jerusalem Council

Convenient Excuse - Jesus no Rebel - Priests seek to kill Jesus for their own reasons

Hand is Forced - “If you let this man go you are not Caesar’s friend.” Jn. 19:12

Handwashing: Not innocence but sign of contempt of Jewish Leaders - Evasion of responsibility.

King of the Jews - Sign to Spite the Jewish Leaders

Pontius PilatePontius Pilate

Cross- Stauros - Upright stake or Beam

Old Testament - Not crucified but bodies hung on trees to warn criminals - sign of being cursed.

Romans - Only slaves, rebels & lowest type of criminals crucified.

Crucifixion itselfCrucifixion itself

Symbol of Roman Authority and ruthlessness

Crucifixion of Failed Messiah’s marked period

Painful form of Torture lasting up to several days. Death by asphyxiation.

Jesus Mocked Crucifixion itselfCrucifixion itself

Flogged

Crown of Thorns

Carries Cross to Golgotha

Stripped & Nailed to the Cross

Clothes Divided

Crucifixion itselfCrucifixion itselfSign - King of the Jews

Sixth Hour Gives up his Spirit

Body placed hurriedly in Tomb

Pierced and brought down

Some Last Reflections for Good FridaySome Last Reflections for Good FridayTime of Somber ReflectionTime of Somber Reflection

Recognition of Judgment Upon Sin

Recognition of Cost of Grace

Recognition of Depth of Compassion

Commitment to Dedicated Discipleship