Who killed Jesus?

This might be one of the most interesting acts of vandalism you've never seen. It's called the "Alexamenos graffito." I've attached here a slightly stylized outline. You can use Google image search to find different views. It dates approximately to the 2nd century A.D. and was found near the Circus Maximus in "downtown" Rome.

The text says in Greek, "Alexamenos worshipping a god." Now, we can't be certain what this meant precisely (can you with any graffiti today?), but it seems like Romans making fun of Christians for worshiping a crucified donkey. They associated donkeys with Middle-eastern peoples (the vast majority of early Christians) and associated crucified people with the worst of criminals. That made no sense to anyone.

It still doesn't make sense today that any god would do such a thing. This kind of self-less love doesn't make sense...

With this in mind, check out this story I saw on my Google Reader. I'm seen enough stories and comments like this, with this one being the latest:

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/01/glenn-beck-the-jews-killed-jesus/69715/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+AtlanticNational+(National+:+The+Atlantic)&utm_content=Google+Reader

This is the comment I latched onto: "Just to be clear: It was the Romans. If we could just get that straight, it would be really fantastic for everyone involved."

This is what I posted on my Google Reader:

Just to be clear: It was us...we are all responsible for Jesus' death...my sins, the Romans' sins, the Jews' sins, your sins put Jesus on the cross. There's no blame shifting to be done here.

"To be sure, HE carried OUR sicknesses. HE carried OUR pains. YET we considered HIM to be beaten, struck down by God, and humiliated. But it was HE who was pierced BECAUSE OF OUR rebellious acts, crushed BECAUSE OF OUR punishable and guilt-bearing acts. The punishment that makes us complete was laid on him. And through his wounds we are healed! ALL OF US like sheep have wandered. EACH ONE OF US has turned to their own way. But Yahweh has let him be hurt for the punishable and guilt-bearing acts of us ALL. (Isaiah 53:4-6) [my rendering]

Because Jesus himself bore the guilt that all my evil thoughts, words, and acts bring and was punished for all of them, I'm healed because God has dealt with evil and death once and for all! I'm made whole and have peace through trusting and following Jesus.

We don't want just Romans or Jews having all this, do we?

The crucifixion of Jesus is the pivotal moment in history where God's abounding love and his perfect justice collide and provide for you and me a solution to the problem of evil and death that only God could think of. Centuries of prophecy and God working in history to form his kingdom and restore his creation through Israel find fulfillment on the cross and in the empty tomb (and the entire life of Jesus, but that could be another post...). On the cross God condemned evil and death by punishing Jesus, the God-Man in your place. Since evil and death are now condemned, we are set free, released, forgiven to live new holy lives since nothing is holding us back. The chosen anointed one, the Christ, the Messiah, accomplished his mission to save.

And Jesus promised to come again and raise to never-ending life those who trust and follow him, just like Jesus' Father did for him. And Jesus has given us his Word in the Bible, his Spirit and seal in Baptism, and his body and blood in the Lord's Supper to kindle this trust in our dead and evil selves.

Ok, I'm done. Just remember this when anyone talks about who killed Jesus. And while you're at it, remember this always! It's the good news in the smallest "nutshell" I can put it in! It's the "Gospel."

Have an Enlightening Epiphany!

Even many Christian Americans might not realize it, but today is Epiphany! It's the celebration that seems to get the shaft in American Christianity, at least. The "12 Days of Christmas" isn't just a random song, the "days" are talking about the 12 days after Christmas that lead up to January 5th, Epiphany (if you're Latino, it's probably the day you give people gifts on). It commemorates the day when Magi came from the East to worship Jesus who was born as king of the Jews (Matthew 2). Then it kicks off the next Sunday with Jesus' baptism (when Jesus began his public ministry), and will end when Jesus shows his glorious light for a moment to his disciples on what's been called his "Transfiguration." It's the time when Jesus slowly but wisely and carefully revealed himself to be God's Messiah, redefining what "Messiah" and "the Kingdom of God" was always supposed to mean, which included a kingdom for all people. I attached a picture of an Orthodox icon.

The Magi, being Gentiles, that is, not of an Israelite ethnic background, followed some type of celestial body which led them to Jesus. Epiphany also became a season in the traditional church year which varies in length since the date of Easter determines its end (which is based on a lunar, not a solar calendar, so it "changes"). The Greek word means "appearance." Because of the event it celebrates, the two big themes are light and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom in a new way (Jesus being God's light for ALL people), which is what Israel's purpose was to be since the beginning. But I won't get into that right now.

It's such a neat holiday and church season, with so many very visual events like the Magi coming, Jesus' baptism, his healing and teaching ministry, his transfiguration, that I'm confused as to why it doesn't have a fitting visual custom or more traditions associated with it. I decided to make up my own greeting of "Have an Enlightening Epiphany" for this reason. Maybe it does have a lot more cool things associated with it, but Lutherans (the church I'm a part of) or whatever just don't do much. I don't know. What I mean is Advent has the wreath and candles, Christmas has the tree, Lent the Ash Wednesday and typically giving up something, etc. Or when have you heard an inspiring "Epiphany" song? Let me know if you have ideas! Planting a tree after taking down your Christmas tree? I don't know. Key words of Epiphany are: light, growth, green (the traditional color), and water.

For me it marks also the return to normalcy now that Christmas and New Years and traveling is over. I'm getting back into the routine of things, as I know most are as well.

Oh, and a big O H I O for the Buckeyes winning a great game in the Sugar Bowl! Big Ten football in general didn't fare well this bowl season, pretty lousy actually, so it's good to know we won a prominent one against the SEC...It seems no matter where I am, when I garb up and put a buckeye-necklace on and go watch a game, I get to meet a lot of Ohioans and fans with interesting stories to tell. Katie and I went to a bar here in Madison and met several fans. It was a fun time, even besides the game.

Christmas Break

Katie and I had a great vacation in Ohio, seeing friends and family. We've finally mastered the technique of making the 11 hour or so drive in a way where we don't ruin our sleeping schedule. Basically we leave in the evening, drive through the night while eating minimal food and probably stopping once or twice at a rest stop for a quick power nap. And man, Tobi is the greatest dog for driving. He doesn't make a sound (and no he isn't dead when he doesn't).

Columbus is always new and growing every time I come back. The weather was nice, sunny, and temperate compared to the cold Wisconsin winter, age old friends are getting married or moving on with their studies and careers, my family and house is relaxing with a very homey feeling, New China is still amazing. Life is good.

I know I still haven't gotten my mind fully out of the holiday mood yet. Hopefully this week I can make the transition seeing as things are going to start picking up with sermons, Bible studies, catechisms, visits, etc., not to mention my own private research and weird projects I do.

On the way back I decided I'd do something a little interesting for this blog. I decided I'd make a short "You know you're from Ohio when" list. Maybe later I'll do a Columbus or even Westerville one...we'll see...I know for some it'll be spot on, whereas others will disagree, but that's just how things are when you make statements in general. The list won't be in any specific order and it'll just speak of my personal experience. Here it goes! I'm open to any additions.

You know you're from Ohio when...

you have trouble identifying with any specific region of the country (Eastern, Southern, Midwestern, etc.).

you sort of chuckle when anyone talks about great amusement parks or roller coasters they like when you're used to not only Cedar Point, but also Kings Island.

you hear Miami and Cuban fiestas don't come to mind, but a university in a town called Oxford which isn't in England.

you find more northern states too cold in the winter and more southern states too hot in the summer.

you actually know what a Buckeye is.

you know that for better or for worse, when you yell out O-H on the street, someone will yell back I-O.

you think Tim Horton's is local (see earlier blog post).

Bob Evans seems to take the place of McDonald's on interstate exits.

you think it's odd to have to drive more than a few hours to hit several major sports venues, concert venues, or vacation spots.

you'd at least at times prefer Lake Erie to an ocean beach because you can't stand that nasty salt water feel it gives.

you feel jipped if you order something from a 99¢ from a fast food value menu and don't get a penny back (Ohio doesn't tax take out foods).