The Jewish Dilemma

[EphremHagos]

If Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is immortal, How could he suffer death on the cross? (Matt. 16: 13-28)

[Little Shepherd]

Hypostasis.

[barnasha]

If you can't explain it to a seven year old, you don't understand yourself.

[NormATive]

If you can't explain it to a seven year old, you don't understand yourself.

So, explain it to my seven-year-old sitting next to me.

While you're at it, explain how "sacrificing" your only begotten son is a sacrifice if you knew he couldn't really die?

NORM

[Adrift]

If Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is immortal, How could he suffer death on the cross? (Matt. 16: 13-28)

Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

Jesus' did die. The earthly body he was born into physically died. And he experienced something far greater... separation from God. The blameless Word of God made flesh experienced a taste of hell to redeem those who believe in him. Jesus died through and through, and then was resurrected to glory so that we wouldn't have to experience the same.

[rogue06]

Hi Adrift!

[John Goddard]

If Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is immortal, How could he suffer death on the cross? (Matt. 16: 13-28)

He was immortal after he died.

(and was resurrected)

[Adrift]

Hi Adrift!

Hi rogue

[NormATive]

He was immortal after he died.

(and was resurrected)

According to the Bible (I assume you've read it), Jesus was immortal BEFORE he died. Ever read Colossians I - 15-20? John chapter 1? Revelation 1:8?

So, it still is odd. How can an immortal die? Does it count if the person "killed" cannot die?

There's no way around it. It's a dilemma that has no answer.

NORM

[Little Shepherd]

There's no way around it. It's a dilemma that has no answer.

And, again, hypostasis. It's short, simple, and sufficient.

[Sparko]

we are all immortal. While our bodies will die, we will live on and get new ones. Even those in hell will live forever with their new bodies.

[NormATive]

And, again, hypostasis. It's short, simple, and sufficient.

How does a blood clot explain anything?

Just appropriating a word to make something illogical sound scientific doesn't cut it.

You'll have to do better than that. Or, as your sobriquet suggests, you may want to try something that works.

So again, how is it possible for someone immortal (can never die) to die? And how is it a sacrifice to sacrifice a son who cannot be sacrificed?

NORM

[disciple100]

well, what is death?

what is immortal?

Jesus' body pre-resurrection wasn't immortal, it got torn, beaten, and bloodied. Jesus then died and got resurrected. You can't be resurrected if you didn't die. Then post-resurrection He had a perfect, non-decaying body.

Of course, His death wasn't so much about the death as it was about the shamefulness of it. The whole honor/shame thing is at work here.

[Little Shepherd]

How does a blood clot explain anything?

Just appropriating a word to make something illogical sound scientific doesn't cut it.

Let's try this again. Hypostatic union. It has nothing to do with blood clots.

[EphremHagos]

Christian theology, as opposed to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the witness of His Apostles, can never explain in its original Nicene and later use of Hypostasis the deep mystery of Jesus Christ's suffering and death on the cross as complete and infallible proof of His Messiahship!

Any breakthroughs of late?