Why Did Jesus Leave?

[One_Life]

A couple things i've often wondered is why after being crucifed that Jesus left. Why didn't he stay? The plan of salvation was now complete. Why didn't he stay and spread the gospel ?

The other thing I wonder about is why the crucifiction was necessary? Is God not powerfull enough to just forgive sin without having his son killed ?
I have never understood the fascination God had with blood.

 

[water_ripple]

A couple things i've often wondered is why after being crucifed that Jesus left. Why didn't he stay? The plan of salvation was now complete. Why didn't he stay and spread the gospel ?

The other thing I wonder about is why the crucifiction was necessary? Is God not powerfull enough to just forgive sin without having his son killed ?
I have never understood the fascination God had with blood.

Because it is up to us to decide who we will follow..He desires us to follow Him through the love we have for Him even despite adversity..He knew and the Jews knew (admitted in the bible) that if He stayed too long that all would believe upon Him. His Spirit still to this day spreads the gospel as well as His love. The souls that belong to Christ do His will...They feed the hungry, clothe the naked, spread the word..not because they are works..rather because they love.

Sadly it is humans who have the fascination with blood..Even to this day blood sports are the most popular..(when blood flies the spectators seem to get more riled.) Not everyone is a fan of violence, but as a whole humans have some form of fascination..It has lasted the test of time, and unfortunately our most renowned lessons are usually learned through violence..And a fear of death..An inate instinctual part of us...For the greatest love, and only that would someone lay down his life for the lives of his friends. God sacrificed Himself for us because without His grace nobody would be getting to heaven. Unfortunately we demanded proof of His love..Ask and ye shall recieve. This of course was all in the plan from the beginning..God knows how imperfect we are, but out of love for us He sacrificed Himself so that we may go where we really belong.

 

[SolomonVII]

.......

The other thing I wonder about is why the crucifiction was necessary? Is God not powerfull enough to just forgive sin without having his son killed ?
I have never understood the fascination God had with blood.

From at least the time of Cain and Abel, a central theme of the bible is God's desire that we sacrifice what is most important to us to Him. Rather than keeping everything for ourselves, through our sacrificing comes that acknowledgement that everything that we have been blessed with comes from the God. If not for the grace of God, we have nothing.
God's willingness to sacrifice Himself in the body of Christ signifies that He desires that the relationship between Himself and ourselves be one of reciprocity. He does not ask of us to give Him any more that he freely and willingly desirous to give Himself. Through His death on the cross, his willingness to even give His Life for us is amply demonstrated.
Love requires reciprocity. We sacrifice for Him not because He demands it, but because we love Him and want to. His pleasure becomes our pleasure, and vice-versa.
In so many ways, Love is Sacrifice. To love a child or a spouse, we are required to give up so much of our time and independance, and to put their needs before our own wants. Yet we do so because we want to. The rewards of love are so much greater than what is sacrificed. When we truly love somebody we are willing to even give up our lives so that they may live. Through the cross, God shows us that He is so also so willing.
I think it would be incorrect to believe that God has a facination with blood or takes any pleasure in our suffering. Scripture tends to explain suffering as the result of mankind forsaking God, and pursuing our own needs with no regard for what He might want. Because mankind turns away from God, and forgets that Love is the true basis of our relationships with another, the cross and other instruments of torture become the expression of a heart that is unwilling to submit to the sacrifices that Love requires of it.

Edit: It is not so much a question of power or powerlessness. To force our love on another or impose our will upon them just because we have the power to do so would be akin to rape. Love requires more.

 

[Svt4Him]

A couple things i've often wondered is why after being crucifed that Jesus left. Why didn't he stay? The plan of salvation was now complete. Why didn't he stay and spread the gospel ?

The other thing I wonder about is why the crucifiction was necessary? Is God not powerfull enough to just forgive sin without having his son killed ?
I have never understood the fascination God had with blood.

Could God just overlook sin? Sure He could, but He couldn't be just then. Could you imagine a judge who just overlooks some criminal activity? Has no guidelines, apart from what the guilty dictate to him? Would be nice for the criminals. I don't understand why most judges are so fascinated with jails either...or maybe their more concerned with justice...food for thought. Why didn't God stay to spread the gospel? Well, God is here. Seeing God move was what made me a Christian. First time I ever saw God, I felt evil. Couldn't believe God was so close. Then the verse "May the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" came alive to me.

 

[SolomonVII]

A couple things i've often wondered is why after being crucifed that Jesus left. Why didn't he stay? The plan of salvation was now complete. Why didn't he stay and spread the gospel ?
.....

This is an interesting point to consider.
First though, it is not completely correct to say that he did not stay. As the lives of many Christians witness to, we have a personal relationship with Christ. He is alive in us.
As well, the ourtpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us attests to the fact that he is still with us, and has never really left.
Be that as it may, possibly the idea that he ascended into heaven leads to the idea that this world is not the ultimate destination for us. Like Jesus, we are to be citizens of the New Jerusalem. Our destinies lie beyond just this world and suffering.

 

[One_Life]

Thank you all for the well thought out replies. I think I understand it a little better.

Having been raised a christian I never bothered to connect the dots so to speak. So I'll hope you'll bear with me.
water_ripple said "that if He stayed too long that all would believe upon Him."
Isn't that what he wants ?
I need to understand why if this his plan for all humans he didn't make a bigger production out of it ?
Shouldn't his life and death been seen and witnessed by some world leaders and historians so we would have independent verification ?
I may be mistaken, but I read that killing of the firstborn males when christ was born is not recorded by the historians of the time. I think that would make the headlines.

If I do find myself standing before the christian God after I die do you think he would condemn me to hell for rejecting this story ? If so, what does that say about him ?

The bible say's that he is not the author of confusion. I see alot of confusion. And isn't God the author of everything ?

Again, thanks for your time.

 

[Reformationist]

A couple things i've often wondered is why after being crucifed that Jesus left. Why didn't he stay?

He left because it was ordained in eternity that He would be seated at the right hand of the Father and rule the Kingdom of God. His enemies would be His footstool. He reigns from on High.

The plan of salvation was now complete. Why didn't he stay and spread the gospel ?

God ordained that His Word would be spread and His body is the method by which He chose to do that.

The other thing I wonder about is why the crucifiction was necessary?

Are you asking why Christ had to die or why He had to die by crucifixion?

Is God not powerfull enough to just forgive sin without having his son killed ?

It's not an issue of power. It's an issue of justice. God said that the wages of sin are death. When man sinned and fell from grace God could not, by virtue of His righteousness and holiness, just arbitrarily disregard His own decree.

I have never understood the fascination God had with blood.

Not sure what you mean.

God bless

 

[msjones21]

Actually, the plan of Salvation was not complete until Jesus ascended to Heaven. *smiles*

 

[Reformationist]

Actually, the plan of Salvation was not complete until Jesus ascended to Heaven. *smiles*

Very good point msjones21. Nicely done.

God bless

 

[Rafael]

The Church of Jesus Christ is the whole point of history. To gather those whom are chosen to meet Him in the air. In the meantime, they learn about Agape love here on earth, following after the example given them when the Lord walked among us. Will we do that? As a child grows and learns, it developes character, and I think God has chosen the circumstances and creation to form the characteristics He desires in His people that will fellowship with Him for eternity. They are listed in scripture as fruits of the Spirit. I would say that God knows how long to leave the bread in the oven before it is done, and we trust Him on that.

 

[SolomonVII]

.......
I need to understand why if this his plan for all humans he didn't make a bigger production out of it ?
Shouldn't his life and death been seen and witnessed by some world leaders and historians so we would have independent verification
I may be mistaken, but I read that killing of the firstborn males when christ was born is not recorded by the historians of the time. I think that would make the headlines?

In a world in which people were routinely nailed to the crosses and thrown into the garbage pit like so much trash, why should we think that the slaughter of innocents would have raised even an eyebrow of the authorities and the scribes? Or to put it in a modern context, when a fetus is aborted, is it headline news?

Perhaps just as important to those who the Gospels were revealed to is the spiritual truth upon which the historic event is based, as alluded to in previous biblical stories. Like Moses, Jesus escaped the slaughter of the innocents to lead his people to freedom. And like Moses, Jesus ministry was not to the people in power, but to the oppressed and the people without a voice.

If I do find myself standing before the christian God after I die do you think he would condemn me to hell for rejecting this story ? If so, what does that say about him ?

Scripturally, God is presented as the author of a justice and mercy more perfect than any that exists on earth. He is not only just, but ultimately will be seen to be just by all who face his judgement. Understanding this, and understanding yourself better than any of us ever will, what do you think the answer to your question would be? If you still think that you will be condemned to hell, what does that say about you?

 

[water_ripple]

water_ripple said "that if He stayed too long that all would believe upon Him."
Isn't that what he wants ?
I need to understand why if this his plan for all humans he didn't make a bigger production out of it ?
Shouldn't his life and death been seen and witnessed by some world leaders and historians so we would have independent verification ?
I may be mistaken, but I read that killing of the firstborn males when christ was born is not recorded by the historians of the time. I think that would make the headlines.

The Jews who were seeking to destroy Jesus according to the scriptures were scared because they feared if he stayed too long that all would believe upon Him. That of course is true for noone could deny Him with the miracles He did.

Yes all people are called to believe upon Christ. That is what He wants, but even He knew that there would be those who would not accept Him.

Y did He not make a bigger production out of His death? Flash and glamour have never been a part of Christ's style. He could have called upon 10 thousand angels, but instead gave His life for us. A testimony of exactly how much God loves His children..that He would sacrafice Himself for us. Not something a normal person would do knowing full well that even though this sarafice of love and mercy was given that many would scoff and even "spit" upon it.

Historians and world leaders? The entire Roman empire became Christian..The Byzantine empire..Christendom..later some of the saints..St. Patrick's Day is remebered for the Saint Patrick who went to Ireland and spread the gospel..Saint Nicholas was a real person, and even still effects the culture of today..Thomas Aquanius..his writings are still held in high regard and talked and debated to this day..the US president is a professing Christian. In the US we have been influenced by Christianity..One nation under God..In God we trust..

If I do find myself standing before the christian God after I die do you think he would condemn me to hell for rejecting this story ? If so, what does that say about him ?

It says that He is fair..for He judges by our own judgements.

The bible say's that he is not the author of confusion. I see alot of confusion. And isn't God the author of everything ?

Again, thanks for your time.

Yes God is the author, but all of His intracacies we may never understand. To mature in faith takes time, and it is not the same for everyone...Not everyone is on the same plateau or scale..

 

[ALL4J3SUS]

A couple things i've often wondered is why after being crucifed that Jesus left. Why didn't he stay?

John 14:1-4
1 “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know where I am going and how to get there.”

The plan of salvation was now complete. Why didn't he stay and spread the gospel ?

The other thing I wonder about is why the crucifiction was necessary? Is God not powerfull enough to just forgive sin without having his son killed ?
I have never understood the fascination God had with blood.

 

[theseed]

The Church of Jesus Christ is the whole point of history. To gather those whom are chosen to meet Him in the air. In the meantime, they learn about Agape love here on earth, following after the example given them when the Lord walked among us. Will we do that? As a child grows and learns, it developes character, and I think God has chosen the circumstances and creation to form the characteristics He desires in His people that will fellowship with Him for eternity. They are listed in scripture as fruits of the Spirit. I would say that God knows how long to leave the bread in the oven before it is done, and we trust Him on that.

:Amen:

He left and will return, to meat us in the air. And he will return to set up his Kingdom and reign a thousand years.

Why did he have to die on a cross, this is a great mystery. I guess for God's glory. It was to God's glory to give the ultimate sacrifice, his son.