I love this idea that the secrecy encouraged by Jesus (but often ignored) in Mark’s Gospel might be based both on real memories and enhanced for literary effect. But even more I appreciate your suggestion that this is the way Jesus comes to us today. In secrecy. Partly shrouded in pious myth, partly elevated in theological frames, and also vibrantly present as the historic teacher from Nazareth — who is exalted by later believers to be equal to God the Father himself.
Great article thanks, great points. I think the only thing I would add is performing wonders and taking care of the poor made the religious elites look bad by contrast, complicating further the idea of messiah connotating political liberator—Jesus knew the kerfuffle he would cause
But yes, I think we are all really disconnected from the loaded implications of “Messiah” back in the day.
Two decades ago I wrote a song called “Messiah”, which wrestled deeply with spiritual struggle. I can see now that my use of that word was very “Christian”, ancient people would have looked at me very strangely
I love this idea that the secrecy encouraged by Jesus (but often ignored) in Mark’s Gospel might be based both on real memories and enhanced for literary effect. But even more I appreciate your suggestion that this is the way Jesus comes to us today. In secrecy. Partly shrouded in pious myth, partly elevated in theological frames, and also vibrantly present as the historic teacher from Nazareth — who is exalted by later believers to be equal to God the Father himself.
Well said.
Great article thanks, great points. I think the only thing I would add is performing wonders and taking care of the poor made the religious elites look bad by contrast, complicating further the idea of messiah connotating political liberator—Jesus knew the kerfuffle he would cause
But yes, I think we are all really disconnected from the loaded implications of “Messiah” back in the day.
Two decades ago I wrote a song called “Messiah”, which wrestled deeply with spiritual struggle. I can see now that my use of that word was very “Christian”, ancient people would have looked at me very strangely
Thanks! That’s a good addition. Good point.
And yep, ancients surely had varying ideas on who the messiah would be and what he would do and how he would do it.
Similarly, the complex differences between messiah, son of god, and son of man has always interested me.