If you listened to the vocal support or opposition to Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ a while back, and had a hard time sorting out the arguments to determine who was talking sense and who was speaking nonsense, you need to read this article.

 

One sees the age-old argument of 'anti-Semitism' being a main source of the disagreements, with the Anti-Defamation League claiming anti-Semitism, as well as other Jewish organizations. It has even been reported that Mr. Gibson pulled a part of the movie because of his fear of an unnamed Jewish retaliation.

So the movie answers nothing, but manages to intensify the debate -- "Who killed Jesus?"

Those who don't like arguments say we all killed Jesus Christ, and if we admit to being sinners, then they are correct. Because in Romans 5:8 it reads 'But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while yet sinners, Christ died for us.' In v. 6 it states "In due time Christ died for the ungodly."

But, still the argument rages. Yes, some say, but the sinners didn't condemn, scourge or crucify Christ ...religion and government did.

Others say that it was Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who in the end pronounced the death sentence. When in fact, he first said in Luke 23:4 "I find no fault in this man." Especially in pronouncing a death sentence for something that had offended and enraged the Jews.

Still others insist it was the Jews who had plotted for years to kill Jesus and finally succeeded. But only after a "kangaroo court" of false witnesses accused him of blasphemy when He claimed to be Messiah and the Son of God. He was found guilty of blasphemy, at least in their interpretation.

Today, the Jews claim "Anti-Semitism" since it is common knowledge that Gibson had originally intended to use the verse in Matthew 27:35- "Then answered all the people, and said his blood be on us and on our children." With these words, they put a double curse upon themselves. One newscaster said, "There is no evidence that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' crucifixion, as only the Roman government used crucifixion and only when dealing with convicted felons."

However, there are several scriptures that are contrary to Jewish thought, in that the Apostles point out to the Jews of that time that they were guilty of killing Jesus. We read in Acts the second chapter, the Apostle Peter give a powerful sermon addressing those who seemingly were "responsible" for Jesus' death.

In Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ (Messiah)."

We know that in Jesus' day, the majority of the House of Israel had been taken captive by the Assyrians centuries before, and even Jesus referred to them as the lost sheep of the House of Israel in Matt. 10:6. This consisted of the 10 northern tribes, that formerly lived in the northern sections of Canaan. Plus, only parts of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi were living in Judea in Jesus' time, and we see that in the New Testament these people were referred to as Jews. Peter was talking to people, some of whom were called Jehudi or Jew rather than Jehudah or Judah.

In Acts 10:37 "And when they [the Jews] heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles 'men and brethren, what shall we do?' With this statement they acknowledged responsibility for Christ's death. They were guilt stricken and terrified. Peter's words had cut them to the quick. They had allowed the Pharisees and Elders to use them to assure that a death sentence was placed on Jesus.

Let's read of another incident that involved Peter and John in Acts 5:27 "And when they had brought them, they set them before the council."

We need to understand there were different priesthoods in Judea at that time with each having a high "chief" priest. One being the priests of the temple; the other being the priests of the great synagogue or the Sanhedrin, which was more of a priesthood of men who were not Levites, nor did they serve in the courses of the temple in Jerusalem, as set up by King David years before. Most of these Sanhedrin priests were Pharisees, many whom were appointed by the Romans, or who had purchased their office, and then passed it on from relative to relative.

Continuing in Acts 5:28 "saying did not we (the synagogue priests) straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? [by this they meant in the name of Jesus.] In v. 28: we read "and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." So here they were denying that they were responsible for Jesus' death. In v. 29 "Then Peter said and the other apostles answered and said 'we ought to obey God rather than men.' And again Peter laid the blame for Jesus' death on the Jews.

v. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.'
v. 31 Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Notice when God was opening salvation to the Gentiles in Acts 10:34-39. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; v. 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. v. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ; (he is Lord of all). v. 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea. and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: v. 38- How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. v. 39- And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree.

Let's notice Paul's words in I Thess. 2:14-16. "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus; for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews; v. 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: and they please not God, and are contrary to all men. v. 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always; for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

Scriptures tell us that the Apostles claimed that Jesus' death was mainly the responsibility of the Jews, and that Pilate, fearing the Sanhedrin, washed his hands of the whole matter opening the door for Jesus' crucifixion. Since the Jews today deny that Jesus was Messiah, and that the New Testament is not part of scripture, they are outraged at the Christians accusations that they killed Jesus.

How does God look upon those who hasten to carry out such sentences?

In Matt. 18:6-7 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. v.7- Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"

Though it was referring to Judas Iscariot which we can read in Matt. 26:24, this is God's feeling against those ready to carry out such a sentence for gain or profit. But we find that the high priest and those in the Great Synagogue were the ones clamoring for Jesus to be put to death. Where did this priesthood originate? Surely these were not Levites? Where did the synagogue and the rabbinical priesthood come from? It's obvious they were not Hebrew in their origins. [In the book of Obadiah, we read of God punishing Edom (Esau) for their plundering of Jerusalem when the Babylonians took part of Judah captive.] This whole system was brought back to Judea from Babylon, and had nothing to do with the temple or the Levitical priesthood. The Talmud, used by the Jews, is not the Torah of the Hebrews. Never was this a part of Israel or Hebrewism before the Babylonian captivity, nor had it anything to do with the temple priesthood of the lineage of Levi (and Aaron).

At the time of Christ, it is believed that the Pharisees actually possessed more power than did the Priests of the temple. When they sat in Moses' seat in the great Sanhedrin, it was likened unto our judges who sit in the United States Supreme Court, their word was law. Jesus talks of this synagogue priesthood in Matt. 23:1-5 - "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, v. 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: v.3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. v.4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. v. 5 but all their works they do for to be seen of men, they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.

We see a hypocritical sect that continued the religious service in Judea, having power to even condemn people to death. We read throughout Jesus ministry how the scribes and Pharisees of the great Sanhedrin were even then trying to find a way to arrest Jesus and have him put to death! At the time of Jesus arrest, the high priest of the Sanhedrin was Joseph Caiaphas. He was appointed to the office by procurator Valerius Gratus. He was the son in law of Annaias who was also a high priest who was appointed to his office by King Herod, an Edomite under Roman jurisdiction. The priests of the Sanhedrin were appointed. It is believed that some purchased their office, and Jesus called them snakes, vipers and hypocrites because of the way they abused their power. They often used lies and deceit to put men to death who threatened their office and power.

In Matthew 26 we read of a kangaroo court whereby false witnesses were used to give testimony of Jesus' guilt as a blasphemer. Matt. 26:57-59- "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. v. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. v. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death. [Again we see the Jews, responsible for Jesus death.] v. 60 But found none; yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses. v. 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. v. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? v. 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Had these men read the Old Testament, they would have known who Jesus was. However, they were not about to let someone take away their power, so they found a way to kill him. We read in v. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. v. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. v. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, "He is guilty of death," [they used the scripture in Leviticus 24:16 as the basis for the sentence for blasphemy.]

Notice in Matthew 27:1-2 when the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: v. 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then, in Matthew 27:20-26. "But the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. v. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. v. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. v. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. v. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person, see ye to it. v. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. v. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified." It is quite evident that the hypocritical Pharisees were responsible for getting a death sentence hung on Jesus, but cowards that they were, made sure it was the Romans who crucified him, thereby supposedly not having Jesus' blood on their own hands.

Throughout the writings of the Apostles, we read of the priests and elders continually plotting to murder Jesus Christ during His life on earth. Herod, (an Edomite), tried to have Jesus killed as an infant by slaying all male children two years old and under.

Many of the Pharisees were called Jews because of their religion of Judaism. However, most were not of the tribe of Judah. Many had Edomite blood in their veins, and were descendants of Esau. Judas Iscariot, one of Christ disciples was an Edomite, as was King Herod. Both succeeded in getting Jesus killed.

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees in John 8:33 "They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Biblical scholars know both Israel and Judah were in captivity in Egypt, and that 10 tribes of Israel were taken captive by the Assyrians, and that Judah was taken to Babylon as captives, as well. So how could the Pharisees say they were never in bondage to any man? Easy, because they were descended of Esau, they were Abraham's seed thru Isaac, but were never the children of Abraham as Jesus stated in John 8:39.

We can also read Paul's words to the Romans 9:6 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel. v .7 Neither,because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. v. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Then we read in v. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. You might want to read the book of Obadiah to find out why God hated Esau and his descendants because of what they had done to Israel over the years, and especially to Judah after the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.

In closing, we are all responsible for Jesus death. Jesus had to die so that our sins could be forgiven. He died for each one of us, His blood cleanses us from sin.

However, it was the Pharisees, who persuaded the Jews to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Esau finally had gotten his revenge on Jacob (Israel). It was the Pharisees who used Pilate's weakness to pronounce a sentence that Pilate in his heart did not want to give. It was the Pharisees who first called 'crucify him'.

It will be interesting to see what effect that Mel Gibson's movie will have on the world, and how it will affect Christians and Jews. Already, Jewish movie stars are condemning Gibson, saying he should be banned from Hollywood and never be allowed to appear in another American movie (Mr. Gibson is from Australia).

Will the movie unite the Catholics and Protestants? Will her daughters come home again? What effect will this movie have on Jewish-Christian relationships? Will the Pope, who has spoken out of both sides of his mouth in regards to the movie, be able to keep his ecumenical hopes alive? Is it possible that the movie could end up costing Mel Gibson his life? Well, he said he took out the part about the Jews accepting the blame for Christ's death because he had received death threats. In any event, if it wasn't before, the name of Jesus Christ is now a household word in most of the world. Do you know Jesus? Have you accepted Him as your personal savior? Perhaps it's time you gave it some thought.