The Crucified Messiah

Jesus is the True and Final Sanctuary where the glory of Yahweh dwells, the substance foreshadowed by the old Temple .  In the second chapter of John, the disciples discover that Jesus is the True and Final Temple of God. The era in which God “ dwelt ” in portable tents and stone buildings came to an end with the resurrection of the Messiah from the dead. No longer does God dwell in structures “ made-by-hand ,” nor can His presence be contained within physical walls or geographical boundaries that keep His people separated from His presence.

The suffering and death of Jesus provide the pattern for how his disciples must live in this fallen world, and the measuring rod for judging spirituality. Whether examining anyone’s wisdom, teachings, conduct, or supernatural deeds, the Cross of Christ is the dividing line between truth and falsehood. No man can know God or comprehend His ways and words apart from the imperative of “ Christ crucified .” God has revealed Himself in the Crucified Messiah.

In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm a violent storm, all supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, all too often, his words and deeds produced confusion followed by the question – “ Who is this man? ” Only at his execution on Golgotha did a human being begin to understand who he was.

Paul is clear and unequivocal. Considering what Jesus accomplished in his death and resurrection, there no longer can be divisions between Jews and Gentiles in the One People of God. By his sacrificial death, he “ dismantled the middle wall of partition ” that separated Jews and Gentiles so “ he might reconcile them both in one body for God through the Cross .” Through him, God is building Jewish and Gentile disciples into one habitation of God “ in the Spirit .”

Mercy and love are defining characteristics of Christ’s disciples and reflect the true nature of his Father . In his ' Sermon on the Mount ', Jesus exhorted his disciples to become “ perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect .” But how can anyone emulate the perfect righteousness of God? His explanation was clear - by performing acts of mercy,  ESPECIALLY  to one’s persecutors and enemies. Self-sacrificial love goes to the heart of the Nazarene’s message and mission. After all, he is the one who submitted to an unjust death for others even when they were still the “ enemies of God .”

At the Jordan River, John proclaimed a baptism in water “ for the remission of sins ,” and he announced the arrival of the “ Coming One .” The Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah of Israel as promised in the  Book of Isaiah  - “ Behold, I send my messenger before your face… The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord .” This Coming One was the long-promised King of Israel who would baptize his people “ in spirit and fire .”