Even Robbin Williams speaks of the obvious fact that Jesus was Jewish. Why is it that there are still people out there, both Christian and non-Christian, who refuse to believe that he was Jewish? I'm surprised when Christians who have attended church for most of their life, heard sermons preached from the Bible, learned biblical stories about Jesus in church and from family, grow up, get married in church and pronounced married with a blessing prayed to Jesus, do not realize that he was Jewish?
Why do you think this is?
Why is there are mental block in followers of Jesus about his being Jewish yet Robbin Williams believes it wholeheartedly?
Why is there such blind spot in our Christian culture about Jesus being Jewish?
This Jewish convert spoke of the hindrance to Jesus created by Christianity throughout history. Coming to realize that Jesus is the Messiah and accepting him as Lord and Saviour, he now deals with a family that is confused about why he has converted to a faith that was the source of much strife for the Jewish people throughout history.
What would be the equivalent for a Christian family experiencing a child accepting a faith that has hurt Christians throughout history?
How difficult is it for Jews to accept Jesus as Messiah?
How can we speak of Jesus in a way that will cause Jews to consider him as Messiah?
How can we speak of Jesus in a way that conveys his Divinity without being offense to Jews?
Why does Jesus appear in world history as a Jew?
Could God have simply done this another way .i.e., Jesus having come attached to another people group?
Would Jesus buy a bobble head of himself? With the Americanization of Jesus in our culture and paraphanalia that exists because of his popularity would he, if he were here on earth, buy it?
Seems like a silly question and yet I find that many feel that this is a cute representation of the person who claims to be the Son of God. Is this the kind of attention that He wants? Is this the kind of attention that He needs?
Would he himself use it as a fundraising gimmick to raise more money for his mission?
If you would put a Sidney Crosby [or favourite cultural icon of your choice] bobble head on your dashboard then why wouldn't you put one of Jesus as well or in place of?
What do you think of this image depicting Jesus washing the feet of world leaders?
Is this an appropriate depiction given the actual story recorded by John in his gospel? Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during the last supper as a demonstration of the extent of his love for them.
Would he have done the same for Herod's sons who were ruling during this time, or the Roman Emperor Tiberius, or Pilate? Ironically Pilate washed his own hands in the presence of Jesus and his accusers.
This painting made by Carl Heinrach Bloch - a Danish Artist living in the 19th century - was commissioned by the Frederiksborg Palace. Bloch painted several scenes from the life of Jesus under this commissioning.
In this scene you see Jesus clearing out the money changers in the court of the Gentiles in the temple in Jerusalem. Some view this as Jesus expressing his liberal views that go against the common Jewish beliefs of his day, others see it as evidence of Jesus being anti-establishment.
What do you see? How do you view Jesus in this depiction by Bloch? What is the intent of the gospel writers as they recall this event in the life of Jesus as they witnessed it?
There is a lot of talk in the US about Jesus and politics, mostly about how politics and religion don't mix, and yet many politicians speak of God and Jesus on a regular basis and use religion to influence people in terms of votes and party lines.
The gentle character of John Coffey, a simple-minded southern African American man who has the power to heal, mirrors the qualities of Jesus in the controversial film "The Green Mile," based on a novel by Stephen King. Known for his horrific themes and dark stories, Stephen King delves into symbols of Christ and the power of healing in a world of evil and pain.
For certain, the evil and pain that is portrayed in the film is graphic yet it mirrors what so many experience in reality. In the middle of sad sordid stories is the figure of John Coffey who, although a mammoth physical presence, bears a gentleness toward others and the power to heal them by taking away sickness and pain. In this scene, Officer Edgecombe [played by Tom Hanks] anguishes over the reality of having to execute the death sentence on John Coffey. Looking for redemption for being forced to carry out the death penalty on an innocent man, John Coffey assures the Officer that he is ready to face his end after a lifetime of dealing with evil in the world.
The scene causes one to wonder what anguish Jesus went through personally. It reminds me of the biblical scene of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. This scene in "The Green Mile" focuses on the tired character of John Coffey who feels that its time to leave this world of pain and so find his own redemption from dealing with evil in the world.
There are powerful images of Jesus in this story that are worth our consideration as we think about the power of the person of Christ and His influence on humanity.
