Continued from Part 18
Salvation was reserved for the select few
Jesus claimed that he revealed the meaning of his esoteric declarations (the parables) only to his disciples (Matthew 13:10-11; Mark 4:10-12, 34; Luke 8:9-10). Yet even that was untrue. Jesus knew very well that the disciples did not understand everything he told them (Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45, 18:34) and Jesus said and did things secretively so that the multitudes should not understand him. Why the secrecy? Why not a public proclamation instead?
Matthew 12:15-21 attempts to show that Jesus’ appeal to secrecy was a fulfillment of a prophetic utterance found in a passage in Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4). However, the passage can only relate to what Matthew infers by the most farfetched analogy and the use of secrecy would still disqualify Jesus from being the servant. The Gospels’ Jesus demanded that his purported messianic identity and/or ability to cure ailments be kept secret by demons (Mark 1:34, 3:11-12; Luke 4:41), his followers (Matthew 16:20, Mark 8:30, Luke 9:21), and those healed (Matthew 8:3-4, 12:15-16; Mark 1:44, 5:43, 7:36; Luke 5:14, 8:56).
Messianic pretensions
The Gospels state that Jesus claimed that he always spoke openly, yet, he never proclaimed himself publicly as Messiah. According to John, he made a private statement concerning his messianic pretentions to a Samaritan woman (John 4:25-26). But, such news from a Samaritan would not be of any consequence to the Jewish people.
When he spoke to Jews his claims were in the form of enigmatic presentations which involved apparent paradoxes regarding the nature and identity of the Messiah; yet they were given without providing a solution (Mark 4:11-12). On a visit to the Temple it is alleged that Jesus was asked to tell “plainly” if he was the Messiah. He parried the question by presenting an ambiguous answer—“I told you but you do not believe” (John 10:24-25). As we have seen, the Gospels show that he had only given them hints in parables, knowing in advance they would not understand (Matthew 13:13-15, Mark 4:11-12, Luke 8:10). When Peter allegedly declared: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus gave specific instructions to his disciples. They were to refrain from disclosing his messianic identity—they were to keep it secret (Matthew 16:20).
Who allegedly raised Jesus from the dead?
Was it God?
Peter alleges that God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24; 2:32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40). Paul also agrees with Peter (Acts 13:30, 33, 34, 37, 17:31; Romans 4:24, 6:4, 8:11, 10:9; 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:15; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10); Hebrews 13:20 and 1 Peter 1:21 also allege that God raised Jesus up.
Was it Jesus?
John’s Jesus says, referring to his body: “I will raise it up” (John 2:19). If Peter, et al, are correct than John’s Jesus is not only deceptive but a blatant liar.
Lying to Pilate
Did Jesus lead a peaceful group?
According to John 18:36, Jesus said to Pilate: “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews.” Jesus implies that his followers knew his kingdom was not of this world and would not use violence. But, the truth is that they expected Jesus to restore the kingdom of Israel in a terrestrial sense (e.g. Luke 24:21). Even after his death Jesus’ followers are said to have looked forward to a speedy return which would usher in the overthrow of the Roman Empire. His followers are said to ask: “Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Moreover, just a few hours before his meeting Pilate, Jesus had ordered the disciples to buy swords if they had none (Luke 22:36), and the disciples responded by saying that two swords were available (Luke 22:38). Two swords, which may be practical for assassination. Soon after this, it is said that Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, who came to seize Jesus (Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:47, Luke 22:50, John 18:10). Contrary to Jesus’ statement that “these know what I said” (John 18:21), Peter did not know or obey that since the kingdom was not of this world he should not fight (John 18:36). But, Jesus knew at his trial that Peter had used violence. Jesus lied and said that his followers would not feel the necessity of acting violently since his kingdom was not of this world. Jesus was aware that his followers would indeed use violence. Yet Jesus persisted in his deceit as he defended himself before Pilate.
Continued...
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