As we love Jesus, we can’t stand the images of his beatings, the brutality of His death. I believe that is at the source of us allowing Satan inside just enough to ask, ‘Did He have to suffer and die?’. However, it is those images that keep my mind focused on that suffering, beating and true abuse of an innocent man – I caused. It is my fault. I can only deeply enjoy the resurrection knowing that! I am sorry, Jesus, for my daily contribution to your suffering. I am ever thankful that each day brings me new mercy and grace in You!

Shari

Jesus was very clear that his mission was to
suffer, die, and rise again. He did not consider
himself primarily to be a teacher. Following his
“way” was not the point; He Hinself was the Way
(John 14:6)–also the truth, and the life. Not
his teachings, but he himself.

As we accept him, identify with him, then we
become new creatures, and begin to partake of
that new, unique, divine life.

When I said, “I am haunted by the question of
why Jesus had to die,” what I meant was that every
time I am confronted with some other claim to a
changed life, it makes me wonder if it works, then
why did Jesus have to die?

But so far, no one has convinced me that there is
any other way to create lasting change from the
inside out, apart from accepting Christ’s death
(he, the innocent, was punished in place of me,
the guilty), resurrection (his triumph over sin
and death), and the new life mysteriously imparted
through the Holy Spirit, once I do accept these things.

I don’t think meditation can do it.

I don’t believe will power can do it.

These things may be able to bring some measure of healing, of change, but can anyone convince me that they are a new person because of some system?

And while we are to work in conjunction with the
Holy Spirit (we do have our part), it is not
ultimately our work. It’s not up to us to conquer
EGO. I simply have no evidence, so far, that anyone
can do it on his or her own.

Who is the most “morally good” human being you can
point to? How about Mother Teresa? But she herself
attested that she did all she did, not on her own,
but only through Jesus Christ.

Can anyone think of anyone else? Come on, convince me
that people can become good on their own! I don’t
believe it yet….

[By the way, the Bible doesn't say "go sit on a rock
and be still." It says, "Be still and know that I am
God" in Psalm 46:10. It adds, "I will be exalted among
the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." A very
good addition to the discussion: God is exalted most
by Christ's being lifted up on the cross. Jesus said
in John 12:32, "But I, when I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all men to myself." John adds in the
next verse, "He said this to show the kind of death he
was going to die." Again my point: This was Jesus'
whole reason for coming to earth: "Now my heart is
troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me
from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason
I came to this hour." (John 12:27)]

My sister is not a Christian. I posed your question to her and this is how she responded.

[And the answer to your wonderful question is YES and No...Jesus spelled it out quite clearly, unfortunately in my humble opinion, the messages have become tangled in so many cultural and social dramas that the practice of being like Jesus is not the focus. What is the practice of being like Jesus? Love, Oneness, Compassion , Nonjudging...you know the drill...but how to practice this with every breath, in every moment, every day? This to me is where Buddhism has a great deal to share (with Christians) that supports what Jesus preached...it's the practice. God made each and every one complete-there is no changing of the internal Self that could improve upon that, perio d. We each are completely prosperous thanks to HIS Boundless Abundance. What Jesus and other great spiritual teachers are trying to get across (again, as I humbly understand) is that ALLOWING (of the good, the bad, the suffering, the joy), is exactly the unfolding of God's Diviness, and that the PRACTICE of non-judging (everything) is a big part of our work in this life....our lessons are in how we handle things, especially in our SERVICE to others...it's when our EGO steps in and says, "I don't like this_______. " or "If I just can eat this chocolate or take this pill everything will be____" ,"I fear _____" or the lists go on and on.....listen to the chatter of your mind for one day....your EGO, dispite all that you may have learned from the Bible, etc, is still probably running the ship. The practice of melting the EGO and Allowing the Higher Self to shine is a practice that takes work...and only YOU can do thi s WORK...so yes, YOU alone are the only one who can do this (not Jesus the Savior), but HIS teachings along with past and present teachers can help you with the practice. Dr. Wayne Dyer does an excellent job of explaining the pitfalls of an EGO driven life and how to let your Higher Self (what God intends us to BE!) shine...once you get it FLOWING...the work is easy, but the lessons still come...it's all in the practice! (Go sit on a rock and be still-I know this is in the Bible somewhere!) ]

I realize that, while there is much we may be able to do for ourselves, there is one thing that we can never do: make ourselves perfect, righteous enought to be acceptable to a holy and perfect God.

And THAT is why Jesus had to die.

But praise God, he didn’t stay dead, but ROSE and conquered sin!

May your Easter be blessed as you ponder this marvelous truth.

Diane