Continuing with the exploration and reflection through a series of articles written in a conversational language about Catholicism, about God, about Jesus, about the Church and many other faith related topics. Here we present:
Question 18 – Did God want Jesus to be crucified?
People decided to crucify Jesus*. This was not God’s desire. Crucifixion* was the most humiliating, painful and shameful execution there was, and extremely painful too. If God had wanted this for his Son, you could only draw one conclusion: he is a perverse God.
Yet the cross has become the pre-eminent symbol of the Christian faith. It took a few centuries for this to happen, so tremendous was the horror and repugnance of the first generations of Christians against this terrible torture. Gradually believers began to see the cross as the place where it became clear how unimaginably great God’s love for humanity is. God wanted Jesus to bear witness to this love.
Jesus could have avoided his death on the cross. It was his conscious choice not to flee from suffering. He wanted to pass on God’s love in words and especially in deeds, to the extreme. Even though he seemed to get nothing in return. Even though he was abandoned by everyone. Even though it hurt terribly. Even if love would cost him his life. No evil or injustice could stop Jesus. Even on the cross he continued to love people and forgive them, so strong was the love that he himself experienced from God whom he called his Father*.
– What do you think about Jesus’ death on the cross?
– Have you experienced anything like a cross experience in your own life? How did you deal with that?
Feel free to leave your thoughts, reflections or comments below.
Watch this space! Coming up: Question 19 – Has Jesus risen from the dead?
Follow these links to go back to Question 1 – Is believing exceptional? , Question 2 – Is Faith for simple souls? , Question 3 – Can you be a Christian and yet doubt your faith? , Question 4 – Can a believer be critical? , Question 5 – Can faith and science get along? , Question 6 – Are you born a Christian?, Question 7 – Can a human being meet God?, Question 8 – Did God create the world in seven days?, Question 9 – What did God do before he created the world?, Question 10 – Is God a man or a woman? , Question 11 – Can you be a Christian without believing in Jesus?, Question 12 – Did Jesus really exist?, Question 13 – What is the importance of the hidden life of Jesus?, Question 14 – What is the message of Jesus?, Question 15 – Is Jesus God or human? , Question 16 – Is Mary a virgin? and Question 17 – Did Jesus do miracles?
If you wish to learn more about this resource follow this link “52 Questions and Answers about faith”
About the author:
Nikolaas Sintobin, SJ, joined the Society of Jesus in 1989, following a short career as a lawyer. He was trained as a Jesuit in Brussels, Paris, and Santiago de Chile. Today he is a spiritual director who is keenly interested in online ministry and discovering new ways to help people find God.
This text is republished with the permission of Messenger Publications, Ireland. To buy a hard copy of the book click here.
