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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Over the years, various articles, interviews, books and documentaries have questioned not the person of Jesus, who is too widely accepted as a leading historical figure in one form or another; but questioning His divinity and from there attacking His purpose on the cross1. The reality of his godhood, the value of his sacrifice and the function of the cross considered grotesque and insulting to today’s sensitivities. After all, doesn’t God warn us against violence? (Ezekiel 45:9 – Romans 12:19,20) How can a loving God then condemn anyone, let alone his own son, to death as a result of sin? (Not realizing it is the depth of his love for us that motivated him to do so. See John 3:16)
It’s an ideal way to devalue Christ without appearing to do so. The cross, and consequently the empty tomb of the resurrected Christ – is central to the gospel. (Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18) It represents Christianity, being a powerful symbol – not of hate but of love and regeneration. It identifies us and our mission to the world, declaring the love of Christ and the mercy of God, for through the Christ of the cross we are saved. Without the cross, who is Jesus but another good, moral, idealistic man who ran afoul of the authorities of his time and paid for it with his life? A man who it might be well for us to listen to, but no more important than any number of other virtuous men who have graced the world with their example and teachings. And yet, while many men have been crucified throughout the centuries, only one was raised from the dead, giving his crucifixion significance and lending power to his life and ministry. As Jesus, “…was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead…”; giving us hope – and the assurance – of resurrection as well. Romans 1:4 (See also John 11:25 & Acts 13:30)
However, some believe that in “discovering” the human side of Jesus, citing dubious evidence at best for their “proof” of a wife and children, he becomes more believable and accessible. And while that may very well appear to be true on the surface of things, it makes him far more easily dismissed as just one of the guys as well; removing his absolute authority from our lives and denying him the expectation of change in our behavior. None-the-less, scripture unequivacably claims, “You are not your own, you were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:20; Jesus explaining that knowledge of him should lead to love and respect for him as well, with obedience as a direct result of that respect and love – the depth of our understanding increased through obedience. (John 14:15; 14:21; 15:10)
Likewise heaven and hell. Again, heaven isn’t questioned as it is too central to our way of thinking, too accepted – too wanted – by most everyone. So we just minimize evil and sin so Hell isn’t necessary. (Again protested as an unacceptable example of an angry and violent God.) But without something to be saved from – us from sin and because of sin hell – “Why Did Jesus Have To Die?”2 For if you do away with Hell and the rebellious sin that puts us there, there is no need of a cross (the penalty for sin), or a Savior, (our substitute for the penalty of sin). If you do away with the Savior, you minimize his words and life as the Son of God, denying the authority he claimed to have (John 14:7,8) - exactly the unstated intent; leaving us accountable to no one but ourselves in deciding right from wrong – good and evil.
A common theme running throughout the Bible is of man’s need and God’s provision. The central premise of our gospel is Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 1:23) The purpose of compiling his story being to sort through all the evidence, collecting eyewitness accounts and investigating everything from the beginnings of his life and throughout his ministry; “…so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:1-4 (See also John 20:30,31)
The message then of the New Testament church is of the salvation to be gained through the Christ of the cross, now our resurrected Lord and King. Remarkably, some people now, as then, still refuse to believe. As Jesus said, “…we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept (or refuse to believe) our testimony.” John 3:11 Paul cautioning us to, “…guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered (and lead others) from the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:20 (See also 2 Timothy 2:16)
Jesus defined the acquisition of eternal life very simply; to him it consisted in the knowledge of the only true God and His Son whom He sent. (John 17:3) And while at times we may wish for a little more detail to bolster our faith, he really has provided all we need to know – and at times far more than we can understand – to achieve righteousness through him and the salvation he bought for us at such great cost. Anyone who adds to or subtracts from his story, our gospel, standing in danger of God’s anger and retribution. (Revelation 22:18,19)
“Jesus did many miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book (of John – and undoubtedly the other gospels.) (Because) If every one of them were written down… the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. ” (John 20:30,31 combined with John 21:25)
1For instance – U.S. News and World Report - Mark 3,2004, “The Real Jesus”; The DaVinci Code book and movie; and most recently, James Cameron’s documentary, “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” which aired on the Discovery Channel, March 4,2007
2 Time Magazine – “Why Did Jesus Have To Die?” April 12,2004
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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