Antithesis
One of the most interesting things about Easter to me is the times that scripture doesn't say much about. Imagine the disciples despair on the days between the death and his resurrection. They had followed this man around for years, hearing him talk about the coming kingdom, how he could destroy the temple and build it back. They saw Lazarus come hoping out of the grave. And then just like that it was over. They didn't get what Christ was about. They still didn't after he came back.
As Jesus is about to ascend into heaven, they ask if now is the time he will restore his kingdom. They were still looking for a mighty conqueror to come and set them free from the Romans. Then it hit me. That is what Jewish history was all about. Mighty men of war, valor, and stature, who set Israel free from bondage.
Abraham chased down the Amalekites to resuce Lot, and defeated them. He was a man of great wealth and stature, and a man of war. Moses led the Israelites out of the bondage of the great Pharoh, and defeated his great army. David killed the giant. Joshua conquered people after people as he led them into the Promised Land. Samson went through Philistines like straws. Gideon, Caleb, Othniel, and others.
Even some of the prophets got into the act. They boldy stood up to kings, called bears out of the woods, called down fire from heaven, and made the clouds dry up with their prayers.
Then there was Jesus. No home, no army. No mighty men like David had. Just a ragtag group of disciples and followers, who didn't understand him at all. Jesus was the antithesis of what they thought the Saviour would be like. They thought he would be a mighty warrior like all the others in the history of Israel. They thought he came to set them free from the Romans.
That is one reason people still have trouble with Jesus today. He is the antithesis of what the world think he should be. No great education, no great might. Couldn't even same himself from the cross. Scandalous. The Cross is a stumbling block to many, and Jesus is also. He is the opposite of everything the world says that he should be.
I hope that we can run to him, turn to him, follow him. Even when the world calls us foolish for following someone like that, I hope we still run to him.
As Jesus is about to ascend into heaven, they ask if now is the time he will restore his kingdom. They were still looking for a mighty conqueror to come and set them free from the Romans. Then it hit me. That is what Jewish history was all about. Mighty men of war, valor, and stature, who set Israel free from bondage.
Abraham chased down the Amalekites to resuce Lot, and defeated them. He was a man of great wealth and stature, and a man of war. Moses led the Israelites out of the bondage of the great Pharoh, and defeated his great army. David killed the giant. Joshua conquered people after people as he led them into the Promised Land. Samson went through Philistines like straws. Gideon, Caleb, Othniel, and others.
Even some of the prophets got into the act. They boldy stood up to kings, called bears out of the woods, called down fire from heaven, and made the clouds dry up with their prayers.
Then there was Jesus. No home, no army. No mighty men like David had. Just a ragtag group of disciples and followers, who didn't understand him at all. Jesus was the antithesis of what they thought the Saviour would be like. They thought he would be a mighty warrior like all the others in the history of Israel. They thought he came to set them free from the Romans.
That is one reason people still have trouble with Jesus today. He is the antithesis of what the world think he should be. No great education, no great might. Couldn't even same himself from the cross. Scandalous. The Cross is a stumbling block to many, and Jesus is also. He is the opposite of everything the world says that he should be.
I hope that we can run to him, turn to him, follow him. Even when the world calls us foolish for following someone like that, I hope we still run to him.
Comments