Detail - "Temptation of Christ" (1872) by Vasily SurikovNo matter how hard we, as human beings, try, it is impossible to know the thoughts and thought processes of God. But, that does not stop us from trying. This is another such attempt.
If God were to present himself in human form, where, and among which people would he go. As the Messiah, where would be his most effective efforts as a human being. I present that he would place himself in a place and time where he is most likely to be rejected by the great majority of those to whom he will appeal. To help accomplish this, he would come from among a people that are least liked, but have the highest regard for themselves.
God would have laid the foundation for this coming by creating believers who he might designate as ‘chosen’. This would accomplish three things. First, it would inculcate a feeling of superiority in this tribe so that they will self-segregate as they would believe themselves to be God’s favorite. Second, it would make certain that being part of this tribe (in his human form) he is not in good graces with any ruling nation. And third, it would ensure that his revolutionary message (which goes against thousands of years of the tribes beliefs) be vehemently opposed by those within the tribe. This approach would help him pluck the most devout of believers in him and start his ministry.
God uses the idea of the Messiah to insert his human form into the religious and historical timeline. He is asking people to believe in him as the savior of the human race.
What makes the God of the Old Testament so violent, and the God of the New Testament kind and loving? Perhaps it is not the same god. Or, what is more likely, the god of the Old Testament is just a fabrication by a people who needed to be driven through a desert for 40 years to cleanse their vile ways.
The entirety of the foundation of the Old Testament is rendered irrelevant by one sentence from Jesus Christ:
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:34
The commandment renders every law that has come before it useless. It renders and entire religion useless. It destroys the foundations of Judaism.
…then who are the children of the Devil?
Vox Day – as part of a video podcast
This was in response to a comment from a listener which said, “We are all God’s children.”
How likely is it that God would pick a favorite? But that is something that the Devil would do. We know that the Devil offered Jesus the opportunity to rule the world. And Jesus turned him down. Why would that be the only time for him to try this ploy? Perhaps he had used this trick before and it had worked. What is more likely, for God to tell a people that they are the chosen, or for the Devil to do that? Who would appeal to human vanity?
This offer and its subsequent acceptance, by a people, is what lay the foundation for the coming of Jesus Christ. How could a people who have been told that they are the chosen ones accept a Messiah who says that everyone is equal in God’s eyes? Would they not rebel against him? Would they not try to eliminate him?
The Devil had offered the same deal he offered Jesus to the Jewish people. The only difference was that they took up the offer, and have been trying for thousands of years to take what was promised to them. But what they do not realize is that they have been given what they were promised—all that is worldly.
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