Killing Jesus

As this weekend holds significance for two of the world's great religions, I thought it apropos to consider the age old question of "who killed Jesus?"

This is separate from the fervent discussions between so-called conservatives and liberals as to who Jesus was - or if he even lived at all.

For the sake of this discussion, we will assume that he lived - and that at the very least he was a good man and a teacher of note - whose words and life are worthy of our consideration.

It is an unfortunate truth - the subterfuge that has existed throughout Western history - whereby some of those in power have blamed the Jewish people for the death of Jesus. Now this is not merely unjust - the horror of the pogroms and the devastation entire communities - it is also insidious.

Because the stark truth is that those who killed the historical Jesus are still at work today to kill not only his message - but to also demonize those tender ones to whom he was called.

The singular and astounding message of Jesus was that God loves the unlovable. For the time and place in which he lived, this message was as radical then as it is now. He did not meekly suggest or imply his topsy-turvy message, he shouted it and lived it.

He preceded the Occupy Movement by several millenia when he evicted the money changers from the temple portico. He preceded the feminists, too, when he treated women not only as equals - but with possibly even preferential treatment.

He was branded a sinner by some since he befriended most anyone who listened to the truth he preached. Whether whore or half-breed, he did not discriminate.

So, I find it almost laughable - if it were not so infuriating - that the lie of "who killed Jesus" still stands today. To those either ignorant or malicious (or both), the idea that it was the Jews who were responsible is a blatant and evil lie.

No, Jesus then - and Jesus now - was killed by the radical, patriotic nationalists of the day - those so invested in the status quo that they had the most to lose were his message to gain widespread belief.

Then - as now - it was those who shouted the loudest that they served the one true God who acted in the most ungodly manner.

Then - as now - those that killed Jesus wrapped themselves in both flag and scripture - if only to hide their dark hearts and bloody hands.

Then - as now - their lies were allowed to stand and the punishment they deserved rained down on others - whose innocence meant an injustice so great it cannot be measured and barely comprehended.

Then - as now - let the buyer beware. All that seems holy is not. Words that appear true are not.

Those that proclaim the loudest their right to defend God - only dishonor him.

Take heed. Think.

And weep.

dg

4/5/12

Sent from my iPad

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christina's World at Starbucks

There was the dark-haired girl by the window The strawberry blond with freckles behind her The brunette walking past me with an awkward gait Upon reflection Further examination revealed a permanently curled left hand All of this she managed quite well Good enough that only a poet would notice I, too, have a limp My soul is slightly twisted Bent from years of fitting in We all write stories of Contortion that mar the smooth babies We once were I wish I had known her well enough or Had been brave enough to ask How her delicate blend of Beauty, grace and deformity was born What triumphs and failures Have made her thus So many nights I wiped away a daughter's tears The soft sorrow nearly broke me Thank god I was able to adequately lie Don't worry, honey It's OK Everything will be all right And the mystery of the lie Is that it is also true How can we be both liar and sage How is it that we are both broken and whole Only the angels know How a painfu...
Read more

Now that's more like it...

Image
I'm watching the 2004 film "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" which stars Marlee Matlin, and deals with quantum uncertainty. A pretty heady subject for a Hollywood film, no doubt. All of my life, I had this feeling that was very hard to quantify. The feeling was that this world is all less real and more fantastical than anyone I knew felt. I remember in 8th grade when the teacher told me to refrain from touching the air conditioner's thermostat that I told her no one really touches anything. It is only the force of our electrons repelling each other. She was not amused. So, in this film, the ideas of quantum physics, quantum mechanics are discussed by several intellectuals who are quite enjoyable in both their appearance and their delivery. As each of them spoke, I had the distinct joy of "I told you so!!". That is not to say that I clearly understand quantum physics, I'm not sure anyone understands quantum physics. But, they did state what has been o...
Read more

Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee...

Image
John Donne's 400 year-old wisdom From Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII. In case you don't know much about John Donne, let's have Wikipedia educate us: John Donne (1572–1631) , English poet and cleric in the Church of England. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are noted for their strong, sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. Another important theme in Donne's poetry is the idea of true religion, something that he spent much time considering and about which he often theorized. He wrote secular poems as well as erotic and love poems. So, I'd like for you to stop a moment, and ask yourself: Can you imagine Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Joel Osteen, Pat Robertson, or any other Television Evangelist writing metaphysical love poems? I didn't think so. I ask this because I'd like to no...
Read more