Was Jesus destined to die?

By Amitabh Singh

Jesus’ contemporaries did not anticipate the impression Jesus’ life and death would have on history. The outraged crowd in Nazareth asked, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not the mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? (Matthew 13:55). The famous Jewish historian, Josephus, born shortly following Jesus’ death, only twice mentioned Jesus in his manuscripts, and essentially with little regard:

So he [Ananus, son of Ananus the high priest) assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before him the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others (or some of his companions) and when he had formed an accusation against them, he delivered them to be stoned (Antiquities 20.9.1).

Gayle D. Erwin in The Jesus Style talks at length about the simplicity of Jesus’ life. A study of his humble birth, modest life, and sacrificial death deduces one thing – that Jesus cares about the common man.

Erwin rejoices in the implications:

Then came resurrection – and there he provided us with the final victory. A victory through which he can live, walk, and talk with Jesus, our Lord and Savior. He came so that people like us could relate to him. He came so that we can receive his power and grace, and live a life above the pressures and temptations of this world.

We who have taken the time to know him, know that he came for one purpose – “That we might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Jesus died so that we might live. He lives today so that we can enjoy the gift of eternal life. Jesus is our map. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Following Jesus leads to life everlasting: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).