Cross bearing inevitable in our world

No event is so central to the Christian faith as the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior.

The Biblical account of crucifixion reveals a number of actors in the crucifixion drama. A number of sections actively conspired against Jesus. Judas loved money and he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He regretted his blunder but did not turn to Jesus.

Jesus was very popular with the masses. His love, compassion, teachings, and miracles attracted many people towards Him. This caused a sense of insecurity in the minds of the Jewish religious leaders. This insecurity and envy were revealed in their words and actions. If covetousness prompted Judas to turn against his master, it was envy that caused the high priests to hate the Lord.

Pilate was the Roman governor before whom the Jewish leaders took Jesus for trial. They leveled false charges against Him and the governor was convinced that He was not guilty. Yet He failed to render justice and handed Him over to be crucified.

Why did he do so? It could be because of fear. Christ's accusers had threatened that they would complain to Caesar. He feared losing his position, and power. Also, he wanted to please all. One who wants to please all, can please none. Man must seek to please God alone.

Then there was the mob which had cried out for his blood, shouting: "Crucify him! Crucify him!!" This must seem strange for only a few days ago, the same crowd had welcomed his entry into Jerusalem on an ass hailing him as king of kings. The crowds are fickle. Likewise earthly fame remains unstable.

Herod the king expected Jesus to perform some miracle though he had no intention to follow Christ. But Jesus was unwilling to oblige a mere earthly power. This annoyed Herod, who commanded his soldiers to beat and mock him. He also joined them in mocking the Son of God. And we have the ignorant and indifferent soldiers jesting and railing at Jesus, dividing his clothes and adorning him with a crown of thorns. So we have an array of human imperfections which resulted in his death – such as human ambition, love of money, pride, ingratitude, hypocrisy and above all injustice.

Going along with this line of argument, philosopher Alfred North Whitehead maintained that sinful humans, not God, put Jesus on the cross, yet God somehow worked through that act to impart a saving grace to humanity.

Those willing to take up the Cross and follow the Master will have problems. Being faithful means speaking truth to power, as Jesus did, and that means suffering dire consequences. "He died because he took on the injustice which is the normalcy of civilization," says Dr. Crossan, author of Who Killed Jesus? Jesus was willing to be executed because of his passion for God's justice, for the kingdom of God which was not the kingdom of Caesar.

The imperfections in man cause all the problems in the world. Unjust politics, glaring economic inequalities, injustice and corruption in every sphere of human endeavour—these are all aspects of a familiar scenario.. As we stand before the mirror of the Scriptures, do we not see ourselves? Yes, you and I are responsible for the death of Jesus. God's wrath was upon Him because of us. Must we not repent? Jesus Christ had begun his ministry with a call to repentance.

The above is only a partial answer. In classical Christian doctrine, only the perfect Savior could accomplish the atonement by taking the world's sins upon Himself. Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 53:5 ) puts it succinctly: "He was wounded for our transgressions; by His wounds we are healed." Jesus died to fulfill the prophesy about the Messiah — that He would be a suffering servant whose sinlessness made it possible for Him to be a perfect sacrificial offering.

"Man's salvation," writes theologian Hans Kung, "does not depend on any kind of prescribed works of the Law, on devotional practices, and moral efforts. It depends exclusively on trusting faith in Jesus Christ." The same view is expressed by Dr Martyn Lloyd–Jones, another theologian of repute. "Christianity has never promised to make this old world perfect." While men and women remain rebellious against God, the misery will increase and things will become terrible. But Christians believe that at some future date (we do not know when) God is going to send His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, back to this world again. He will purge the whole universe of evil and there shall be a 'new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.'

by MPK Kutty

[MPK Kutty is a noted senior journalist who has served The Times of India (TOI) for 30 years. He has received several awards for his contribution in the field of journalism in India. He can be contacted at +91–11–2397–3797 or email: mpkkutty@hotmail.com. Visit his site http://www.mpkkutty.com]