I stumbled across this image on the header of Five Public Opinions, it’s part of a series of Last Suppers from My Confined Space.
It seems the perfect introduction to this quote by Brian Flemming from The God Who Wasn’t There:
For thousands of years humanity has been obsessed with blood sacrifice. Is it an accident that the story of the crucification of Jesus gave Christians a suffering hero who’s flesh they could eat, and who’s blood they could drink? - Brian Flemming, The God Who Wasn’t There
Do Christians still obsess over the bleeding jesus?
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on Apr 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am
Nope, not this one at least and certainly not “All”. By the way that whoever did the above art did an incredible job.
on Apr 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
What about the extent and magnitude of the suffering jesus went through on your behalf? I run into a lot of Christians who seem pretty caught up with this concept.
Btw, I recommend Flemming’s The God Who Wasn’t There to all Christians, well worth ordering
on Apr 23rd, 2008 at 4:34 am
Well, once again I don’t see it quite the way others do. To me Jesus’ suffering is the example of self sacrifice love, which I believe each of us should live. Although, I understand this concept, it is not easy to live, and I dare say impossible to live without serious effort. There have been those throughout history whether Christian or not that lived the Christ principle of “love they neighbor as thyself†(Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., even Buddha). I am “caught up†with the concept of love. I see suffering as a personal choice. Sure, there are sufferings that others have inflicted upon me, and that was their choice, but I can still choose whether or not I will mentally accept the suffering they tried force upon me, hence forgiveness comes into play. How can I suffer if I forgive? Forgiveness removes suffering. What brings about suffering? It is not selfish desire? What is selfish desire? It is when one is willing to go to any lengths, whether that is going to war, to kill, to steal, or to deceive to get whatever it is one desires. These are simply the symptoms of the evil that exist in this world. People go to war for oil, but for what purpose? Is it money? People fight each other for myriad of reasons, but ultimately what is all the fighting for? Is it not our own selfish desires? We fight for our survival. And interestingly enough self preservation is the ultimate act of selfish desire. What is it that separates us from the animals? Isn’t self awareness and reason, but reason cannot exist without self awareness. To know you exist and you will die means you have choices while alive. Ultimately that choice is “survival†or “sacrificeâ€.
In the end, how did Jesus suffer when he gave forgiveness? Sure many see Jesus as suffering for them but what did he suffer when he gave it willingly? What suffering existed? Did Jesus suffer for others, or for you or for me? I say yes for us all. Why? He chose to enlighten us and to bring a different way of thinking and revealing to us “the way†or “the path†which had to be done in a dramatic manner. This path is sacrificial love. This sacrificial love can be as simple as giving up a seat on the bus or as severe as giving up your life for another person.
Although, I don’t see the sacrifice in the “blood lust†sense, biblically speaking this had always been the reality until Jesus. Jesus’ blood sacrifice (crucifixion) was the dramatic climax of him trying to communicate this idea; “I desire mercy, not sacrifice†(Jesus was quoting Isaiah I believe). He was speaking in a language the Jewish people could understand at the time. It is interesting to note that 40 years after Jesus the Temple was destroy and there hasn’t been animal sacrifice in the Jewish faith since. Anyway, Jesus made this type of sacrifice (love) the reality through his actions. The idea of sacrificing animals to forgive sins was an error and that love and mercy can be granted by each of us to each other therefore Jesus invalidated animal sacrifice as a means to forgive sins.
Jesus’ salvation is more about the example he set through his actions, and his calling for all of humanity to live that example. Whether people believe in the historical Jesus or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is the story of Jesus’ mercy, compassion, love, forgiveness, kindness, and etc. That carries more weight and is very much relevant (then and now more than ever). Jesus chose his path and what may seem like suffering to me or you may not have been suffering at all to Jesus. He may have seen it as a means to an end.
The “path†that Jesus took will only lead us to an Utopian existence. Think about this. If I truly “loved†you as my brother or sister why would I harm you? Why would I steal your money or try to take your life? Why would I want your house, your car, your spouse? Why would I want vengeance if I forgave you? The reality is if we all followed this “path†of Christ than it would lead us to “paradise†we crave, but are unwilling to give anything to have.
Yes it is true some Christians are obsessed with Jesus’ suffering but for different reasons than I’ve stated here. Many are trying to save their soul (survival) and so they think that simply believing is enough, but I say believing is only the first step, and living the “path†is another. Many do not get past the first step. Many worship what they do not fully understand or even strive to understand. And others argue with them trying to disprove what; their religious dogmas? So atheists fight dogma with dogmas of their own and in strange way have created their own religion complete with messiahs, saints, and clergy. The irony is how can these things be debated when both parties do not fully comprehend their own sides? I’m not saying I know everything, in fact, I would say I know nothing, but I do believe I have a good grasp of sacrificial love. If you post this, I’m sure some “so-called†Christians will hate me for what I’ve said here, but this is because they are afraid to ask the questions that I’ve asked and they really shouldn’t be, but many don’t ask questions because of fear. And as Yoda said; “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.†All, I know is I can only control myself. I can’t stop anyone from doing anything. Jesus said; “don’t resist evil†and with that I know my place. I can only stop the potential evil selfish desires that exist in me through my own choices and actions. I alone have the ability to push myself as far as I’m willing to go with this concept.
on Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:34 am
You could draw parallels with Jihad, the original meaning of the word that is, that the greater duty is the ongoing struggle of the individual to make themselves a better Muslim (or Christian?).
on Apr 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I would agree based on the “original†definition. And an “ongoing struggle” it is indeed. Of course I simply do not agree with Jihad by the modern definition or Crusade for that matter. Those terms have a militant connotation that denotes fear, hatred, and anger. Those things inevitably lead to division, violence, and death and that isn’t “Christian” by my definition.