The Crucified Messiah

The Prologue to the  Gospel of John  introduces key themes of the Book, including  Life ,  Light ,  Witness ,  Truth ,  Glory , and  Grace . Jesus of Nazareth is the Light of the world, the source of Grace and Truth, the True Tabernacle in whom God dwells, the only born Son of God, and the one who alone has seen the Father. The Prologue concludes by declaring that the Son is the only one who is qualified to interpret God.

The priesthood of Jesus is a key subject of Hebrews . He is the “ merciful and faithful High Priest ” who intercedes for us. The topic is anticipated in the Letter’s opening paragraph by its declaration that the Son “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and therefore he “ sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high ” as the “ High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek ” for his people.

When an angel informed Joseph that the child carried by Mary was “ conceived of the Holy Spirit ,” it indicated that something more than just a miraculous birth was about to unfold. From the beginning, the activity of the Spirit dominated the life of Jesus of Nazareth. He was “ Jesus, the one called Christ ,” that is, the “ Anointed One ,” the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.

Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” In his ministry, the reign of God was invading the Earth, but his realm was of a different nature than the governments and ideologies of this fallen world, and on more than one occasion, Jesus refused political power, especially when it was offered by Satan.

Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ described in the  Book of Isaiah . Unlike Adam, he did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God .” Instead, he humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman cross. For this reason, God highly exalted him and made him “ Lord ” over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death – His enthronement followed it, and he died utterly alone.

Jesus sent the twelve disciples to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God throughout the region. In the Gospel of Mark, this incident is followed by the execution of John the Baptist. His death prepares the reader for the rejection that inevitably results whenever anyone decides to become a disciple and follow Jesus of Nazareth no matter where it leads. To walk in his footsteps, one must first count the cost to have any hope of seeing the journey through to the end.

For disciples of Jesus, retaliation and violence are never appropriate reactions to persecution. Rather than respond in kind, we must meet threats and assaults with humility, mercy, and forgiveness, and this is what it means to “ deny ourselves ,” “ take up his cross ,” and follow him. Doing good to our “ enemies ” is contrary to the “ wisdom of this age ,” yet doing so is how we emulate our Lord and become “ perfect as our Heavenly Father .”