Seven Statements from the Christian Bible that Jews Should Know

Statement # 1 Christian Bible says: Jews did not kill Jesus Let's begin with the most proclaimed "sacred" lie against the Jewish people, "to be the killer of the Christian Messiah." As for this great excuse used to cover other obscure hate motives, let's quote the same Jesus, registered by the apostle John. John 10:17-18 New International Version (NIV) 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." It's essential to notice that John was himself a Jewish and a disciple of a Jewish Rabbi, Jesus. The last three years of Jesus' life was in the constant company of His body of more intimate disciples, among them was John. To see the veracity of John's witness of his Rabi life, let's investigate some of his writings. In them he insists on the reliability of his testimony. John 1:1,14 New International Version (NIV) 1 In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:1 New International Version (NIV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. John 19:33-35 New International Version (NIV) 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his statement is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced." Note the emphasis of John, making it very clear that he was a participant and a personal witness in his narratives. In other words, not a secondhand witness, but firsthand. Based on Jesus' words, the Christian Bible never accused Jews or anybody else for His death. He proclaims that He came to die voluntarily because of the sins of all humankind. It is historically accurate to say that the Jews delivered Jesus to Roman hands to be crucified (Mark 10:33). But it is much more accurate to understand that He was the Lamb of God provided for the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. So, His death was something that had to happen. The systems of the world, say, economical, religious, and political, represented in Judaism and the Roman Empire in Jesus trial event, were the deliverers of that death. Both, Jewish and Christian stablish that the payment for our sins is death (Genesis 2:27, Romans 6:23). So, if somebody may be able of living without sinning, death will not have any power over him. If Jesus was tempted in everything, but without sin, why He die then? (Hebrews 4:15) Well, as the innocent lamb was to be sacrifice in the place of the debtors, Jesus was sacrificed for us, taking our place in that wood. In this sense, it is appropriate to say that we all kill Jesus, both Gentiles and Jews alike, because we've all sinned. (Romans 3:23) Isaiah chapter 53 is a living portrait of this perfect atonement. In the events of His capture and Judas treason, Jesus confirms that He came to die and, in that way, fulfill the scriptures. This text is a confirmation of His words registered in the Gospel of Mathew. Mathew was also one of the inner circles of Jesus's disciples. Matthew 26:47-56 New International Version (NIV) 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.50 Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"55 In that hour, Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Jesus' death was a single event that happened once and for all. Jesus' sacrifice collects all the meaning of the constant atonement and offerings of the Old Testament. In those, a clean animal was offered to cover the sins of the debtor with his innocent blood. Jesus came to cover with His sinless blood the sins of anyone who calls onto Him.