Killing Jesus? No, Jesus was Willing to Die

Richard Angelus: It seems like everyone know about the National Geography’s Killing Jesus (2015) film. The movie is based on Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s book (2013). There are many critics, recommendations, opinions and thoughts about the film, that I feel both sad and happy. First, sad, because the book (and that lead to the film) is not based on the actual and reliable accounts of Jesus in the Bible but under the influence mostly from other external second-hand sources. But I do feel happy because with many movies and films like this in recent years and beyond – even though some are just for the sake to gain profits rather than ministry – have spark people’s interests to know more about the real Jesus and Christianity. I’m really excited! So, let’s get back to the main topic, who actually killed Jesus?

Jesus Christ: “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:17-18).

Jared C. Wilson: In his book Your Jesus is Too Safe (2009), he writes, “Nobody takes Jesus’ life from him. He’s the King of the universe. He had all the frailty of man, but if he so wished, he could have called legions of angels to his command. He could have hopped down off that cross, as the overlookers taunted him to do. When Satan tempted him in the desert to show his power in a way that might save him from the will of his Father, Jesus could have done those things. At any point, he could have said, ‘You know what? Forget this,’ and taken up a sword and laid waste to all who opposed him. He had that power.

But he choose to lay down his life. Nobody took it from him… the Jews had no authority to execute anyone, so in the end, the Roman government is guilty of actually murdering Jesus.

Regardless of the apparent players in the drama, we have to remind ourselves that nobody took Jesus’ life. He gave it of his own free will. Nobody took anything from him that he wasn’t willing to give. So focusing on who killed Jesus is the wrong question and winds up with beside-the-point answers. The answer to the question of who killed Jesus is found in three truths about his death: (1) Jesus himself said that he gave his life willingly; (2) Jesus forgave his executioners while he was on the cross; (3) the guilt Jesus took to the cross belongs to everyone.

The great power of the betrayal and execution of Jesus is that he went into it with his eyes wide open, with his heart ready to endure the agony submissively, willingly – like a lamb led to the slaughter. Do you remember what he said in the garden of Gethsemane on the eve of his crucifixion? ‘Father… not my will, but yours, be done.’ That’s Jesus saying, ‘I know what lies ahead, and I’m up for it.’”

Bill O’Reilly don’t know the whole truth, the Scripture have the Truth

Killing Jesus’ book and film is not based on reliable history, the Gospel does.

Who really killed Jesus? Nobody. Jesus choose to lay down his own life.

Why? Because Jesus loves us. Because Jesus choose to pay the penalty of our sins.

Because Jesus loves the Father. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.