As we begin to approach the time of the year western civilization uses to celebrate Easter, my mind begins to meditate on the sacrifice of God’s one and only son. What exactly was accomplished with that sacrifice? Many modern day theologians assert that Jesus did nothing more than die a martyr’s death for the poor and the destitute. They argue that His death was more a political act than a spiritual one. When Christians use the phrase “Jesus died for you”, is that all that happened on the cross? Would folks understand that because of our sin he had to die? Jesus atoned for the sins of those who would believe. As believers we should greatly rejoice in His death. Without the death of the one perfect man Jesus Christ, humanity would have no hope of being reconciled to God, and man would receive his just reward in hell for his sin. In the coming weeks I want to write about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as we go into the Easter season. As I conclude this posting I will offer somewhat of a secular world view of the Jesus the Martyr. One of my favorite bands to come out of the Seattle grunge invasion is Soundgarden and below is a video of one of their songs “Jesus Christ Pose”. It’s a song about celebrities and their use of martyrdom symbolism to attract and make some sort of statement. Some of the images may offend. They use some abstract depictions of the cross.
Upon This Rawk 
Seth McBee
February 14, 2007 at 2:41 am
the interesting thing also is that in India among those in the caste system they call Christianity the “poor man’s religion” or the “Dalit Religion”
Amen…we are poor and in need of a Saviour, I just wish that those who believe they are rich would realize their poverty.
Also…the term propitiation is never used in the Old Testament among the translations as this term is a more powerful term of “wiping COMPLETELY away wrath due” Instead, the term atone is always used for animal sacrifice…pretty interesting.
Barry
February 14, 2007 at 4:13 am
Seth,
Poverty …meaning slave to their sin? I would agree. But for a divine intervention none would come to Him. Ain’t it great that we serve a God who is just and is no respecter of persons?
Very good point. Propitiation is one of those words only found in the NT. It was only through this new covenant that the word can be used. Because unlike the atonement provided with the sacrifice of rams and bulls, the removal of the divine wrath through the perfect sacrifice of Christ is completely represented in the word.
Thanks for the comment.
Seth McBee
February 14, 2007 at 4:34 am
Barry…yes I know what you are getting at…making sure that I understand the depravity of man…I am with you; don’t worry.
The upper caste believes that the Dalit’s or the untouchables are the only ones who will convert to Christianity because they are useless and need some sort of hope.
David Kimball
April 9, 2007 at 11:18 pm
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