This month, CNN asks, “How could a 'failed Messiah' and a 'routine crucifixion' lead to the explosion of Christianity in history?”

JUST ANOTHER FAILED MESSIAH?

At one point in the CNN special, the narrator makes the following claim concerning Jesus:

“...the Romans saw his as a political nuisance.  To his fellow Jews, he was just another failed Messiah.  No one even thought to record his death.  The story of Jesus has transcended generations and cultures.  The tale of a routine execution that gave birth to a new religion.”

A couple of points I would like to make here.

First, anyone remotely familiar with the Gospel accounts could hardly say that the Jews simply saw Jesus as “just another failed Messiah.”  For example, Nicodemus, one of the leaders of the Pharisees, saw something in Jesus he had never seen before.  And he was not just speaking for himself.  He obviously spoke for others as well when he said to Jesus:

“Teacher, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do the miracles that you do unless he comes from God...”  John 3:2

True, many had come and gone seeking to be some spiritual guru or revolutionary leader – perhaps even the Messiah.  But, Nicodemus, as well as others, saw something different.  When Jesus made the famous statement, “ I and my Father are one,” the Jews picked up stones to stone Him.  At that time, Jesus said:

“I have shown you many great miracles from the Father.  For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”  John 10:32-33

The Jews had seen supposed healers, miracle-workers, and charismatic leaders to be sure, but a man claiming to be God?  This, they had never seen.  But, not only this...

When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount:

“The crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”  Matthew 5:28-29

“Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, 'Why didn't you bring him in?' 'No one ever spoke the way this man does,' the guards declared.”  John 7:45-46

When Jesus calmed a storm:

“The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey him!'”  Matthew 8:27

When Jesus forgave a man's sins and healed his paralysis:

“When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.'”  Matthew 9:8

When Jesus drove a demon out of a man who was mute and caused him to speak:

“The crowd was amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'”  Matthew 9:33

When Jesus healed another man who was blind and mute:

“All the people were astonished and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?'”  Matthew 21:23

When Jesus taught in His hometown:

“...they were amazed. 'Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?'...”  Matthew 13:54

When Jesus came to his disciples walking on the water:

“Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly, you are the Son of God.'”  Matthew 14:33

Over and over, the crowds expressed amazement at what they were seeing and hearing in Jesus.  No, I believe CNN is wrong in saying that the Jews considered Him “just another Messiah”.  I think you would have a hard time reading through the Gospels and coming away with that impression.  Charismatic leaders and revolutionaries they had seen.  One like Jesus?

Never.

A ROUTINE CRUCIFIXION?

CNN also ponders the crucifixion.  How could a routine crucifixion lead to the establishment of a new religion?

Well, had this been a routine crucifixion, it might be a valid question.  But, consider the following important facts regarded the crucifixion of Jesus:

1. It was predicted centuries before (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22)
2. Jesus predicted his own flogging, crucifixion, and resurrection. (Mark 10:33-34)
3. Jesus had committed no crime (admitted by the Romans). (Matthew 27:19, 23-34)
4. From noon till about 3:00 pm a mysterious darkness came over all the land. (Matthew 27:45)
5. Upon His death, the Temple curtain was torn in two from the top to the bottom.  (Matthew 27:51)
6. Again, upon His death, there was an earthquake, rocks were ripped in two, graves were opened and many who had died rose from the dead and walked into Jerusalem and appeared to many. (Matt. 27:52-33)
7. The Romans, at the request of the Jews, sealed the tomb and posted guards outside it all night.  (Matt. 27:62-66)
8. The third day following Jesus' crucifixion, the stone in front of the tomb was rolled away, the body of Jesus was gone, and the disciples claim that He appeared, not only to them, but to over 500 at once.  (Matt. 28:1-8; 1 Cor. 15:5-8)

Routine crucifixion?

History records that all of His disciples went to their deaths (with the exception of John who was exiled) proclaiming that He had risen.  Foxe's Book of Martyrs tells of 300 years of persecution by the Romans and Christians going to their deaths, refusing to recant their story that He had risen.

I think you'll agree with me that the above crucifixion story, whatever else you may say about it, was anything but a routine crucifixion.  And Jesus was hardly just another failed Messiah. 

In light of such facts, is there really any basis for CNN's wonder that such a story became and still remains...

The Greatest Story Ever Told?