The Crucified Messiah

Jesus is the only true Light of the World, shining all the brighter in the darkness - this Light means Life for the World . “ Life ” is found in the “ Word ” or ‘ Logos ,’ and this life is the “ Light of men .” It is “ shining in the darkness ,” and the darkness “ cannot seize ” or suppress it. This same “ Word ” has become the Living Word of the Father in Jesus of Nazareth. In him, the glory and life of God are fully manifested - (John 1:1).

Jesus declared that “ violent men are seizing the Kingdom of God .” Was he referring to malevolent men from the outside who attempt to take control of the Kingdom through force? Are his disciples called to “forcefully seize” the promises of and from God, or was he saying that the Kingdom must advance through forceful action? Jesus was discussing the ministry of John the Baptist, and how John was received by the Jewish people.

The  Gospel of John  identifies Jesus as the  Logos , the “ Word ” through which God made the Universe. This theme is prominent in the  Gospel of John . It builds on traditional ideas from the Hebrew Bible about how God created the world, especially life through His spoken Word. Jesus of Nazareth is the ultimate expression of that Word spoken by the Living 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. However, the nature of his realm was radically different than the governments and ideologies of the existing world order, and more than once, Jesus refused political power, especially when offered by Satan.