A crown of thorns. Arms spread. Hands pierced. Jesus spent the last six hours of his time on earth demonstrating his perfect love to the world. He died a public death in front of his accusers, his followers, his executioners, even his family. This was not a death that men would consider noble or honorable, for this is how murderers and thieves suffered for their transgressions (Athanasius, On the Incarnation, 4.17). However, Jesus hung from a cross as one who never sinned in order that those who have sinned may be free from the judgment of death. Jesus’ story did not end here, however, and it certainly did not begin here, either. He entered this world as a child of a virgin mother. He grew up as a normal child with a mother and father, with …show more content…
Because Adam and Eve took of the forbidden fruit, sin and all kinds of evil were unleashed into the world. This sin is what separates men and women from the relationships that God intended them to have, not only with him, but all those around us (Jenson, 2016, p. 75). Even at birth, babies are born with this nature of selfishness, and this could carry on through the person’s whole adult life (Jenson, 2016, p. 76). However, we are given something we will never be deserve: salvation. This salvation is granted to us through the death of Jesus Christ, although, that is not the end to this story. Jesus was not subject to death. God raised his Son from the realm of death in order that this broken relationship between Himself and humanity may be restored in a way that death cannot overcome (Jenson, 2016, p. 79). In this event, humanity was buried with Christ so that each person could live a new life that is radically different from their old self (Romans 6:4). That is to say, though each person is born into sin, they have the opportunity to live a life free from sin through believing in this story, that Jesus was crucified, yet was raised from the dead in order that humanity can live a new life in honor of Him. This community of believers is known as the church. The church is considered to be one group whose common goal is to reach out to the rest of the world through the use of the gospel, which can
Looking upon the crucifix where Jesus hangs, we have much to consider both historically and theologically. However, when this perspective is reversed and we look out from Jesus’ point of view, we see another side to the story.
The Romans Road method of evangelism is well known by many Christians and may feel like one of the safer ways to evangelize. The “road” is a road map of biblical verses laid out in such a way to help bring someone to Christ. It is a very logical way of evangelism. The first step in the road to romans is that All Have Sinned. Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Again, in Romans 3:23 we are told, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 5:12 tells us, “Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” When Adam sinned, he brought the curse of sin upon all mankind. This is why everyone is born with a nature to sin; it has been passed down since Adam. Second, there is a Penalty for Sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Death is the penalty for sin, Physical Death and a Second Death. We are born spiritually dead. Adam and Eve died spiritually the moment they sinned, and all of their descendants since have been born spiritually dead. This is why a person must be born-again spiritually. God's Holy Spirit is that spiritual life. The Bible also speaks of a Second Death, which means ...
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."(New Revised Standard Version, John 1:14) As the only son of God in the Christian theology, Jesus Christ was tasked with a multitude of trials, and horrors the common man would have rebuked and refused to undertake. However, as a demi-god born of the divine Christian deity and the mortal, virgin Mary, Jesus was not the average mortal man.
The Gospel of Matthew is an eyewitness story written for an audience of believers, under great stress, and persecution. Matthew develops a theological plot incorporating genealogy, speeches, parables, inter and intra textual references, common vocabulary, and fulfillment quotations, with a tension that builds as we are invited into the story. The crucifixion and resurrection bring us to a Christological climax that symbolically points beyond its conclusion to God’s Kingdom, bringing atonement, salvation and the ushering in the Eschaton. The extraordinary events surrounding the crucifixion act as commentary, adding important details concerning the death of Jesus.1
That we are all descendants of the first human being, which God created, Adam. And that we all live through Adam’s sin; therefore, we all live with his guilt (Enns, P., 2012). Thus, we as humans were born into sin and slavery, but Got sent his only son, Jesus Christ who saved us and set us free from that misery. So we are now set free from God 's condemnation of his law and no longer have to fear death anymore (Scott, J., 2001). I perceive that since Jesus died on the cross for us in a sense, we died with him too, and were risen as brand new from death just as he was. So now we are to live our life to resemble the kind of person Jesus was that is the ultimate fight we have in this world as human beings (Mills, A. M., 2010). "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless the death [principle] reined from Ada until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam 's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come" (Rom. 5:13,
Jesus’ life was ministry and death. Much of the early life of Jesus Christ is a mystery. The preponderance of information on or about his life is found in the four gospels of the New Testaments. Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in the year “0” B.C. near the town of Bethlehem in a manger outside of an inn. This humble beginning was the foreshadowing of a life of humility and service. At the age of 12 Jesus was seen in the temple talking with, listening to and teaching many learned men. It was then that Jesus declared that he was the Son of God with a divine purpose here on earth. Jesus lived a traditional Jewish life as a simple carpenter. At the age of 30, Jesus was baptized and recognized by John the Baptist; it was now that he began his earthly ministry. The main points of Jesus’ teaching were that God loves you and is with you, to love one another, of the immense value of each person. The Good News: kingdom of God has come to earth. The reality of judgment to heaven or hell and that God forgives those who ask
On the other hand, Christians believe that after you die you go into a period of dormancy and until the second coming of Jesus will you be woken up and decide your fate whether you go to heaven or hell according to how you have lived your life. Christianity teaches salvation from sin through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through Him, the gift of eternal life is also attained. Christianity started as a missionary religion and has now become the world's most widespread faith. It focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
When Jesus visited Jerusalem around 29 AD, he found enthusiastic crowds greeting him as the messiah. However he was arrested for not worshiping pagan Roman gods and was sentenced to death on a cross. While he was hanging awaiting death he forgave those who had killed him and those who had worshipped him the day before were denying him. After his crucifixion he was placed in a tomb, on the third day he rose, and greeted his followers, further convincing them that he was the messiah.
In other words, Jesus, although perfect and blameless in all His ways, took on the title criminal and died as such. He was crucified on a cross at Calvary. No other God has died for his people. Jesus drank the cup of wrath that was reserved for mankind (Matthew 26:39). Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death and resurrection of Jesus purchased victory over death for humanity, if they choose to accept Him as their Lord and Savior (1 Cor. 15:55). Those who cling to the Gospel, either in sharing it or receiving of it, must believe that Jesus’ death is the only route to attain salvation. He is the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6,
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life even up to his death by crucifixion. Far from being a way of appeasing a wrathful God for the sins of Mankind the Crucifixion is really an example of God's love toward us. Consider Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.". At first this seems slightly strange: how was God's love manifested towards us through the Crucifixion?
Bauer & Johannes, 1970, p.64). As a bonus his death not only offers redemption for mankind but also introduces the aspect of new life. Starting over and new life is not an aspect discussed in the Old Testament. Finally despite the perfection of Christ’s redemption of mankind, believers will have to wait until the return of Christ for this particular redemption to be complete.
Before Adam and Eve’s decision there was no sin or death, because of their actions we now have to deal with both. This brings up the question of where original sin came from. We know that God cannot create evil, so it did not come from Him. He gave man free will. From this man went against God and therefore created sin. Because of this we know have inherited depravity. We can not have the relationship that God intended us to have. We now must make a choice if we are going to follow Him or not. Since Jesus’ death we can now ask Him to enter us through the Holy Spirit; God just does not walk with us like He did with Adam in the garden.
It says: “For us men and for our salvation [Christ] came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of he Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontious Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”. Notice how it uses the phrases for us and for our sake. Christ’s death and resurrection was not for himself, so he could feel like he had done something worthwhile. It was not for the Father, so he could have a relationship with us. Christ’s death and resurrection was for humanity, so that we may have a loving and passionate relationship with God. The crucifixion was completely selfless, and selfless acts can only be done out of love. Notice also how the Creed does not use phrases like for the elect few or for just a small proportion of humanity, but rather, for us and for our sake; for all of us, and for all of our sakes. God’s love, exhibited through the crucifixion, restored the relationship between God and all of humanity, so everyone may have eternal life with
Franz Kafka, depicts the ideals and values of existentialism through the fictional novella The Metamorphosis. Joseph Campbell provides a succinct summary of existentialism with the following quote: “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer” (Joseph Campbell). At the very beginning, Gregor has inexplicably transformed from his prior human form into the body of a cockroach. As the main character of this story, Gregor does not live up to existentialism morals because of how selfless he is. Ironically, the first concern Gregor has after discovering his new shape is the fact he will not be
I believe that he was hung in the cross with nails in his hands and feet and he was being whipped and beaten, he was hanging there suffering, He was in lots of pain. Just to think that he went through all of that for us we should take a minute every day to thank him for all he went through and he wanted to do it was for us..