Vintage Jesus - Chapter 6-7

Chapter 6- Why did Jesus have to die?

Jesus, although he was the God-man and while on earth he fed the hungry, took care of widow and orphans, healed the sick, brought to life the dead and forgave sins His primary role on earth was to suffer and die. - Mark starts out simularly in this chapter and then carries the chapter in a extremey graphic, detailed yet completely MOVING section on the events leading up to, during and after Jesus' torture and death on the cross. We MUST remember this quote by Puritan John Owen, "There is no death of sin without the death of Christ.". In order for Christ to please the Father and appease His wrath towards sinful mankind,He HAD to die! Although he pled with the Father to "take this cup from me", Jesus knew it had to be done, to fulfill the profesies of Old, and save mankind. Driscoll then moves to explain 7 truths that are essential to rightly understand the cross of Jesus:

1. God is holy and withouth sin.


2. God made us holy and without any sin (originally)


3. Sin results in death


4. Jesus is sinless


5. We are sinful


6. Jesus became ou sin


7. Jesus died for us
   

"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." (Isa. 53:5)

Chapter 7- Did Jesus Rise from Death?

Mark starts out this chapter with a tear jerking (no surprise there, I'm a sap) story about 2 young godly people in love and on their way to a pure and wonderful life together for Christ. When the young man learns he has leukemia the story turns for the worst, they decide since they have no time left to marry as soon as possible and as a result of the cancer the young man dies very shortly there after the hospital room wedding ceremony. What is the point of this story Mark starts off with? The funeral. Yes, the funeral, he remarked that the ceremony remained virtually TEARLESS! This incredible young man throughout his life had devoted his time to sharing his faith with unbelievers and believers! It was a celebration ceremony, for the resurrection of his life someday! This story transfers to the actual and physical resurrection of Jeus Christ ater those 3 days in the tomb. It is said that the resurrection is the most known adn celebrated miracle in the history of the world! But NOT all are convinced of this amazingly unbelievable feat by Jesus Christ, so Driscoll explains some Biblical evidences of his resurrection, here a few:

• the resurrection was prophesied in advance


• Jesus predicted his resurrection


• Jesus died on the cross


• Jesus appeared physically alive three days after his death


• the resurrection was recorded in Scriptures shortly thereafter

Driscoll also puts some circumstancial evidences of his resurrection, some being:

• the change in the disciples lives


• teh day of worship was changed


• theological changes made in the church


• growth of the church

The author to make his point even clearer puts non-Christian historical evidence in this chapter!

• Josephus the Jewish historian records it


• Suetonius the roman historian

So when it comes down to it we must remember this: Forgiveness and eternal life are made possible only through Jesus' own death and resurrection for us.