Read the Bible for Life by George H. Guthrie

Author:George H. Guthrie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Published: 2010-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion: Reading the Crucifixion and Resurrection as the Climax of the Story

As we think about how to read the stories of the New Testament, there is no more important part of the story than the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. All of the Gospels come to a climax with these twin events, and they really function as a primary climax of the whole story of the Bible. All four Gospels build to this point, and Acts launches from this point and develops with these twin events as a primary reference point. Yet, for many of us, this old, old story has become the oh-so-familiar story we yawn our way through. I asked Darrell if he could give us his thoughts on the ways we should approach reading about the crucifixion and resurrection with "fresh eyes."

He responded, "Well, first of all, several of the guidelines we have already talked about are still in play. Obviously the disciples still are very much in a process of discovery. They pretty much are in the dark until the resurrected Jesus explains what is going on. So again we need to try to enter their process of discovery, using our imagination to do so. Think through what they would have been feeling at this point in the story."

I thought about the fact that even when we get to the crucifixion story in the Gospels, the disciples don't understand Jesus' suffering. They are devastated by Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, driven into hiding, and fearful of the future. We tend to pass right over that part of the story.

Bock commented on this. "I tell my classes, when you read the Gospel accounts of the announcements of the resurrection, the disciples do a brilliant job of reacting to news of the resurrection just like modern people: 'You've got to be kidding!' In response to the witness of the women at the tomb, who proclaimed that Jesus had risen, the disciples say in effect, 'You ladies have had a rough weekend!' So the story still is unfolding for them. Even after the resurrection Jesus is teaching them how to read the Old Testament in a fresh way and pointing to the future. Entering the story more deeply can help us read the story in a fresh way."

As we talked, I wondered how we might do this more effectively, for instance, as we celebrate Easter each spring. But that was a conversation for another day.

"Second," Bock continued, "lots of cultural scripts still need attention. Details about crucifixion, the respective roles of the different political powers in Jerusalem, burial practices, the backdrop of the Old Testament sacrificial system, and ideas about resurrection in Judaism play important roles in providing a backdrop for the story."

Darrell continued by moving to the "God" question that had been such a significant part of our conversation.

"Third, God still is at the heart of what is going on, and Jesus' identity has everything to do with what God is bringing about. In fact, almost everyone else in the story drops away from Jesus at this point, and He is alone on the cross.

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