Week 9

Jesus' earthly life was not ideal...especially to 21st century humans. Today Americans most likely couldn't fathom being born in a barn, traveling on foot thousands of miles, and being crucified on a cross. During the Wiki presentations, many of my classmates (myself included) cringed at the process of crucifixion and couldn't believe the horrific process that it involves. As the world population soars about the outstanding seven billion mark, I find it easy to predict that maybe, just maybe, the percentage of those newborn babies born in a barn will be about 0.000000005%. There will be more babies born in taxis than in barns. Those traveling thousands of miles on foot, probably have about the same percentage as those born in barns (except I guess if you have a similar drive as Forest Gump). My point here is to illustrate how exception Jesus' sacrifice was. His actions and behaviors exhibit pure love that have stood the test of time. Marcus Borg's final two chapter explains the final days and moments in Jesus' life. Chapter nine breaks down Jesus' final week:
Sunday- Beginning of the week of Passover (Palm Sunday) and Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. Borg explains that his action (coming to Jerusalem and riding a donkey) was a, "prophetic act that was a provocative public deed performed for the sake of what they symbolize...it is associated with the prophets of ancient Israel" (Borg 231).
Monday- a second prophetic act of cleansing the temple.
Tuesday- Jesus is questioned, attacked, and in conflict with authorities.
Wednesday through the last days- Borg clumps Jesus' last days together as times filled with resistance and challenges with authority about who holds power-- the God/Jewish religion and state rulers?
Chapter ten in Borg's book focuses on the crucifixion, reasoning behind his death, and Easter. Jesus is questioned by Pilot, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (Borg 264). And Jesus' non declarative response is "You say so" (Borg 264). This exchange epitomized the idea that Jesus was killed because of his perceived threat against ruling authority. Borg continues on with the crucifixion and sums up the event as leading into something bigger. Borg states the Sunday school explanation (extremely basis but very true), "His death was central to God's plan of salvation: he had to die in order to atone for our sins. It was necessary," (Borg 267). I went to private Catholic elementary and middle school, and this concept was drilled into my head at a very young age and throughout my Catholic education. Easter celebrates Jesus' sacrifice and the beauty behind the resurrection of him. Borg says that Mark was the first Gospel writer to give define Easter and his story is the earliest Easter story.
Matthew's gospel chapter 26- 28 recounts Jesus' final days up until the commissioning of the disciples after the resurrection. The similar issue regarding Jesus' position in society is the motive for his crucifixion ordered by the leading state powers. Jesus' death was simply a reflection of humanity's greed that he fought so hard to destroy. Overall,  Jesus' physical life ended with the triumph of humanity's ugly greed but his spiritual life most importantly saved humanity from greedy sin.