Who killed Jesus? Joseph Farah sets the record straight on who is to blame

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Tuesday, September 16, 2003 | Joseph Farah

[JohnHuang2]

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

– John 3:16

Most of the criticism over Mel Gibson's "The Passion" is based on concern over who is portrayed as killing Jesus in what is certainly the most controversial movie ever prior to release.

Some have expressed the worry that the film might blame the Jews, inciting pogroms and anti-Semitism as some passion plays of the past have.

Some of those fortunate enough to have seen the movie in early screenings have defended it by suggesting Gibson's masterpiece blames the Romans, rather than the Jews.

This is a knee-jerk response from well-meaning Christians who don't mind pointing the finger at a group of people who, for all intents and purposes, are extinct, shifting any responsibility from a group of people who are alive.

The church has been doing this for year. But this blame game is completely misguided.

Yes, it's true that crucifixion was a distinctly Roman form of punishment. Yes, it's true that Pontius Pilate has a special, personal kind of responsibility for the decision. But it is a mistake to shift responsibility away from anyone – including Jews.

There's no question that Jesus' death on the cross was an unimaginably horrible experience. If anyone doubts the suffering Jesus went through, "The Passion" will set you straight – and then some.

But the finger-pointing is strange, indeed. It's not Christian to shift blame to the Romans any more than it would be to shift it to the Jews. Followers of Jesus believe we are all responsible – all human beings, alive, dead or yet to be born – for crucifying Jesus.

That may sound weird to non-believers, but it is an absolutely essential tenet of our faith.

Even weirder is this: We celebrate Christ's agony on the cross. It's a good thing. He did it for us – all of us. He bore our sins and they were nailed to that tree the day He died. We don't blame anyone but ourselves. To do so would miss out on the grace He offered with His shed blood.

Do all people who call themselves Christian understand this? Of course not. Not all people who call themselves Christian are believers – not even saved by His sacrifice.

As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV):

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Many people – mostly non-believers – mistakenly believe the death of Jesus on the cross was only a tragedy. They miss the point that it was the greatest thing that ever happened in the world. They think, perhaps, that if He had lived beyond his 33 years, He might have gone on to do great things.

In fact, His death on the cross was the greatest thing He could have done for humanity. It was the greatest gift. And His influence on the world could not be greater than it is today as a result of His death and resurrection.

To be a Christian, by definition, you have to accept that Jesus died for your sins. You have to accept that He shed His blood willingly for you.

The truth is that Jesus died as the result of a heavenly plan. He died with the approval of God. His death not only allowed for an escape from all sin – but all blame and guilt, as well.

[JohnHuang2]

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Quote of the Day by auntdot

[WVNan]

Dead on correct! If we really want to go to the source of who killed Jesus we will go all the way back to Adam and Eve, for they are responsible for the sins for which Jesus died.

[Bobby777]

Followers of Jesus believe we are all responsible – all human beings, alive, dead or yet to be born – for crucifying Jesus.

Absolutely correct. By His Sacrifice can we receive God's Free Grace. Ephesians 2:8-9

[Bobby777]

ping

[findingtruth]

There are two categories of people to blame for Jesus' murder. There are those on the scene who were howling for his blood. Then there are all the others who had nothing to with that, but whose sins made his sacrifice called for.

[P-Marlowe]

Which group do you fall into?

BTW did not Jesus ask for forgiveness for those who crucified him? If so, then who are we to blame anyone else for it? We can only blame ourselves.

[Held_to_Ransom]

That's true, but Jesus came with a distinct message for the Jews. Actually, many listened and became Christians, as did the Romans. It is to be remembered that the primary charge against him stemmed from trashing the money changers in the Temple, and they were not just currency mavens, but an operation under direct control of the priesthood.

It is often said that the Jews are a chosen people. The real question is just what exactly is it they were chosen for? One has to think of Judas in a special light in this case. In any case, the Jews who actually did cause Jesus's death are all long gone, and the idea that modern day Christians should judge modern day Jews for that crime is to admit to nothing more than not really being Christian. I am reminded here to that Hitler, who was not a believer, used the story to his political advantage, but that doesn't mean that Hitler was the fault of the Bible.

[truth_seeker]

"The truth is that Jesus died as the result of a heavenly plan."

Was it not the "will of God?"

[MHGinTN]

I'm a fan Of Joe's writing, but in this I must disagree, slightly.

Satan killed Jesus, by manipulating the hearts of Jews and Romans. THAT is essential to understand, because in the unjust killing is contained the seed of our resurrection. Hell could not hold Him for he was innocent. Satan could not succeed in his action because God allows only Justice to finally triumph. We could never accomplish this defeat of injustice since we all deserve to be set away from God's pure Righteousness. But because Jesus defeated the connection of death and sin, we all may be raised with Him by the Grace of God in Christ. 'To all who will accept Him gave He the right to be sons of God.' '... For whom He justified he also glorified ...'

[Consort]

We need to set up a commission to look into it.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

People keep trying to make a race issue out of this. It isn't. The Sanhedrin was made up of religious power trippers...every bit like the oppressive Ayatollah or powerful Imams of today. Yes they were Jewish...but so was Christ. He took their followers away and held up a mirror so they could see exactly what they were. He was condemned for that reason. That is why they still to this day attack anyone or anything Christian. They are rife among us.

[Matchett-PI]

"Satan killed Jesus" ~ MHGinTN

Some ask, "Who killed Christ?"

Do they ask such a question because they are ignorant of what he said on the subject, or because they reject what he said on the subject?

Jesus: "I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from my Father." [John 10:17-18]

Jesus: "You could have no power AT ALL against me unless it had been given to you from above. ..." [John 19:11]

Jesus: "Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels [so that I wouldn't be delivered to those who plan to crucify me]? [No]... all this must be done so that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." [Matt.26:53,56]

The atonement that we are considering is a planned atonement—the cross was not an accident. God planned it. He was not sleeping or caught off guard at the cross. He had an unchangeable, immutable plan, and it was being carried out. The apostle Peter preached this as part of his first message:

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:23).

The apostles not only preached it; they prayed it. Hear their prayer in Acts 4:27—29:

"For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

God was the master of ceremonies at the cross.

Jesus also taught that God the Father had an unchangeable, immutable plan and power to execute it:

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. And this is the Father s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day (John 6:38, 39).

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10: 11).

I know my sheep. (John 10:14-15)

Jesus makes clear why some do not believe on Him. Have you ever wondered why some do not believe? Well, Jesus answers that question here:

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you (John 10:26).

He describes two characteristics of His sheep:

My sheep hear my voice [a disposition to know His will], and they follow me [a disposition to do His will] (John 10:27).

This truth, that the atonement was for the sheep, is underscored by our Lord s prayer found in John 17. Hear His prayer:

"As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him" (John 17:2). "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine" (John 17:9). "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).

This view of the extent of the atonement makes the cross a place of victory, because what the Father planned, the Son purchased, and these He prays for. This is consistent with that great declaration in that messianic prophesy of His coming: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities" (Isa. 53:11).

Jesus teaches the same thing in John 6:37:

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..." Not, maybe they will come, or, it would be nice if they came, or, if they decide they will come, but rather, "shall come." This, then, is an important element of the message of the cross, the message of evangelism. This means that Christ s death was not in vain, but rather, everyone for whom He savingly died, will come. It is interesting to note that when the angel announced His birth to Joseph, the angel was straight on this point: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

Please note the text says, "save his people," not every single individual, but His people—the sheep.

God used the fact that He had some people, some sheep, to encourage the evangelizing of that wicked city of Corinth. The great apostle was afraid to go to Corinth, and God encouraged him by saying, ". . .be not afraid... for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:9, 10).

1. His coming was for His people (Matt. 1:21): "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."

2. His purchase on the Cross was for the sheep—His people (John 10:11, 14, 15): "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

3. His prayer was for all that the Father gave Him (John 17:2, 9): "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him... I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."

Is this the message of the cross that you have heard? A Christ whose death is not in vain and will not fail to accomplish all that was intended? Or, have you heard the message of a poor, impotent, pathetic, and sometimes, effeminate Jesus who died just to make salvation possible and who is standing impotently by, waiting to see what these mighty, powerful sinners are going to do with Him?

[MHGinTN]

Wonderful sermon. Thank you

[Starrgaizr]

Wait a minute! If we didn't kill him, who did?!

Silence... "The Puerto Ricans!"

"We're free! we're free! The Vatican says we're free..."

</1960s parody song with a young John Denver>

[fella]

"We can only blame ourselves.

It is against human nature to accept the responsabitity for our faults, it is so much easier to cast the blame onto someone else. This simple little quirk of ours as been exploited by demigogs to lead us into the most corrupt of actions scince before written history. God through Jesus has given us a way out of this trap.

[DoughtyOne]

This is perhaps the best article I've seen Farah write. He is right on target here. I was raised to believe that it was the recognition, acceptance and appreciation of Jesus sacrifice that bound us to Him and salvation through faith.

When it comes to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or whatever the science fiction move, I never fail to think that they pail in comparison to the greatest story ever told. It puts them to shame.

In a real universal and timeless story, the God of Heaven created us in his image, allowed us free will, witnessed our fall from grace, then gave His only Son in sacrifice to redeem us. All we are asked to do, is accept this gift and live a good life.

Now there's a great plot line. Our attention would be better spent on the main characters of this love story. It gets five stars from me and makes an Oscar award look like another cracker box charm.

[DoughtyOne]

I meant to mention that Gibson's devotion to this movie has single-handedly caused an awakening of religios awareness around the world. One man can certainly do a lot when he devotes himself to a Godly concern. Kudos to Mel. I have a lot of respect for this guy.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Jesus Christ Himself had trouble bringing the story of salvation to people in His day. Mel runs with good company, when it comes to taking the heat for revealing truth.

[Syncro]

Yes, an excellent article.

Points well made Matchett-PI.

No one killed Him, He gave up his Life.

The Greatest Story Ever Told, right in the pages of the Bible.

[Syncro]

I think he did a good job, D1.

Exactly as He planned.


Then he passed the torch saying others would do greater things than He did. Probably meant more rather than greater.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you for the comments.

I was raised to think of God as the source of all life. This seems an easy enough concept, until you think of the ramifications.

When Jesus said, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?", he was acknowledging God's protective hand being withdrawn so that Jesus sacrifice could be exacted by Satan, at Satan's hand or proxy. (I realize that some now think this isn't what Christ said. I do not know if it was or it wasn't, but it was fitting even if it wasn't.)

Since God is life, and is the source of all life, it is necessary for Him to not withdraw all of His presence from Satan, so that the Conflict of the Ages can be played out.

God still shows a modicum of benevolence to Satan until this is all played out. When it is all played out, God will withdraw his presence from Satan completely and it will utterly destroy him in that moment.

The complexity of the dynamics of this situation will make for an interesting study after Christ's second coming. Only then will we fully understand the complexities of salvation and how it played out on this earth and in the universal scale.