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1995-01-16
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ESSAY 59
THE "JEWS KILLED JESUS" MYTH
This is politically correct doctrine of the radical
right. It fits with anti-semitism and racial bigotry. Keep
in mind that the extreme left and the extreme right share a
common metaphysics. From a common metaphysics comes a common
immorality.
Some of the religious Jews in Jesus' time did rise up
against him and demand that he be executed by crucifixion.
However, only the Romans could legally carry out the death
penalty. Technically, then, the Gentiles (Roman government)
crucified him.
However, this does not really tell the whole truth.
Jesus commented concerning his imminent death:
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the
sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of
this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall
hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one
shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, be-
cause I lay down my life, that I might take it
again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down
of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have
power to take it again. This commandment have I re-
ceived of my Father. (John 10:14-18).
Jesus willingly gave his life for the world's salvation.
So, in the truest sense, we all crucified him because
he was crucified for our sins. For Christians to get mad at
Jews for crucifying Jesus is stupid--it doesn't make sense.
No one relishes the thought of Jesus agonizing death on the
cross. However, if he had not willingly died for us we would
have no hope. In this sense, then, I rejoice because of his
death and resurrection: I and all others who trust in him
have been forgiven and made right with God.
Accusing the Jews of killing Jesus is radical right
political correctness. Both the extreme left and extreme
right share a common metaphysics. It is a type of atheism
that excludes the true God. Hitler was an extreme right
socialist who used "God-talk" for his own ends, yet used
spiritualists for guidance.
The "hate-Jews" thing is not Christian at all. Some who
were Christians in name only may hate Jews. Or, some misguid-
ed, ignorant Christians may blame Jews. True Christians have
been given the love of God--how can they hate?
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5).
The Apostle Paul loved his fellow Jews. Paul wrote much
of the New Testament and is the primary interpreter of Christ
to the Christian Church. Paul says this concerning his fellow
Jews:
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience
also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I
have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my
heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed
from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according
to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertain-
eth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants,
and the giving of the law, and the service of God,
and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of
whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is
over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 9:1-
5).
The word translated "accursed" is a very strong word. It is
a translation of the Greek word, ANATHEMA. It corresponds to
the Hebrew word CHEREM. The way Paul used it means "to be
destroyed." [W. E. Vine, VINE'S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF
NEW TESTAMENT WORDS. Unabridged ed. (McLean, VA: MacDonald
Publishing Co., n.d.), s.v., "CURSE, CURSING, CURSED, ACCURS-
ED"]. At the least it means death, and in the context, it
probably means to be condemned to hell. If Paul loved his
fellow Jews that much, how can any follower of Jesus Christ
not love Jews?
END