In chapter 6 Josh wrote about the "dream" of both the disciples and the nation of Israel. The "dream" was that One would come Who would free them from Rome and be their King. They based their "dream" on Old Testament prophecies, but did not take note of the parts that said He would suffer and die. The nation, in Christ's time, wanted deliverence as soon as possible. Rome had limited their freedom for more than a generation and they wanted to be free.
Josh wrote that that was "...why the cross was so incomprehensible to (the disciples)." He quoted several sources who wrote about the same topic. One, A. B. Bruce wrote, "The grave communications by Jesus about being crucified were not at all welcomed by His disciples(Luke 9:22)." Bruce continued, There "...seems to have been the hope that He had taken too gloomy a view of the situation, and that His apprehensions would turn out groundless...a crucified Christ was a scandal and a contradiction to the apostles; quite as much as it continued to be to the majority of the Jewish people after the Lord had ascended to glory."
The responses of the disciples to Christ's statements about His coming death were never in agreement with Him. They were looking for that King Who would bring in the Kingdom and give them freedom from Rome.
When Jesus was arrested, the disciples scattered because that wasn't in their plan. Then, shortly after Christ's crucifixion, the same men became fearless preachers that Christ was, indeed, the Messiah, Saviour and Lord! What changed their minds? What changed their lives so dramatically? It was the resurrection! They saw Christ, alive! One at a time, few at a time, some at once, and over 500 at one time saw Christ, alive "...by many infallible proofs being seen of them 40 days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."(Acts 1:3) It certainly wasn't any kind of hallucination! They changed because they actually saw Jesus, risen from death and were instructed by Him to go and teach the world!(Acts 1:8) Let us believe and go and do likewise!
Sincerely,
Rick
Josh wrote that that was "...why the cross was so incomprehensible to (the disciples)." He quoted several sources who wrote about the same topic. One, A. B. Bruce wrote, "The grave communications by Jesus about being crucified were not at all welcomed by His disciples(Luke 9:22)." Bruce continued, There "...seems to have been the hope that He had taken too gloomy a view of the situation, and that His apprehensions would turn out groundless...a crucified Christ was a scandal and a contradiction to the apostles; quite as much as it continued to be to the majority of the Jewish people after the Lord had ascended to glory."
The responses of the disciples to Christ's statements about His coming death were never in agreement with Him. They were looking for that King Who would bring in the Kingdom and give them freedom from Rome.
When Jesus was arrested, the disciples scattered because that wasn't in their plan. Then, shortly after Christ's crucifixion, the same men became fearless preachers that Christ was, indeed, the Messiah, Saviour and Lord! What changed their minds? What changed their lives so dramatically? It was the resurrection! They saw Christ, alive! One at a time, few at a time, some at once, and over 500 at one time saw Christ, alive "...by many infallible proofs being seen of them 40 days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."(Acts 1:3) It certainly wasn't any kind of hallucination! They changed because they actually saw Jesus, risen from death and were instructed by Him to go and teach the world!(Acts 1:8) Let us believe and go and do likewise!
Sincerely,
Rick
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