Bible Study - March 20th
March 20th - 2005
Philippians 2:5-11 (New International Version)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 1that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Last year at this time we were all immersed in discussion about "The Passion of Christ" - the controversial Mel Gibson movie which protrayed in the most the graphic way possible the brutal treatment of Jesus. Now, a year later, after the "dust has settled" so to speak, what are we still to make of the whole thing?
Did Jesus plan it all ahead of time as the Gospels seem to suggest - although they were, of course, written in retrospect. Or, did Jesus plan to go down to Jeruselum with the intention of challenging the religious beliefs of Israel and get himself crucified as a result of the violent reaction of the Roman and Jewish authorities?
Certainly, Jesus knew he was risking his life by going to Jeruselum. The previous execution of John the Baptist and many other religious zealots and prophets would have been warning enough to anyone not to arouse the animosity of those in power.
Jeruselum was a place of tension and conflict. On top of that, it was the Passover. The celebration of the Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt. Extra Roman legions were on guard lest their be another uprising or riot. Everyone's nerves were on edge. Into this volatile situation Jesus road in on a donkey leading his procession like some kind of king or ruler. Then, he went into the temple and overturned the money changers. He was certainly asking for trouble.
Why did he do it? What was Jesus all about? What was God trying to say to us in the person and words of Jesus?
No one idea can comprehend it all. Down through the centuries three basic concepts of the "antonement" have been offered. They are the "substitutionary theory," the "moral example" theory, and the "victory over death" theory. Last year I preached on these three ideas and I plan to again this year in answer to these three questions:
Does God Forgive?
Does God Care?
Is God on Our Side?
Philippians 2:5-11 (New International Version)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 1that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Last year at this time we were all immersed in discussion about "The Passion of Christ" - the controversial Mel Gibson movie which protrayed in the most the graphic way possible the brutal treatment of Jesus. Now, a year later, after the "dust has settled" so to speak, what are we still to make of the whole thing?
Did Jesus plan it all ahead of time as the Gospels seem to suggest - although they were, of course, written in retrospect. Or, did Jesus plan to go down to Jeruselum with the intention of challenging the religious beliefs of Israel and get himself crucified as a result of the violent reaction of the Roman and Jewish authorities?
Certainly, Jesus knew he was risking his life by going to Jeruselum. The previous execution of John the Baptist and many other religious zealots and prophets would have been warning enough to anyone not to arouse the animosity of those in power.
Jeruselum was a place of tension and conflict. On top of that, it was the Passover. The celebration of the Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt. Extra Roman legions were on guard lest their be another uprising or riot. Everyone's nerves were on edge. Into this volatile situation Jesus road in on a donkey leading his procession like some kind of king or ruler. Then, he went into the temple and overturned the money changers. He was certainly asking for trouble.
Why did he do it? What was Jesus all about? What was God trying to say to us in the person and words of Jesus?
No one idea can comprehend it all. Down through the centuries three basic concepts of the "antonement" have been offered. They are the "substitutionary theory," the "moral example" theory, and the "victory over death" theory. Last year I preached on these three ideas and I plan to again this year in answer to these three questions:
Does God Forgive?
Does God Care?
Is God on Our Side?
posted by Anonymous at 9:50 AM
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