![]() ![]() Several New Testament passages also speak about the Son of Man as judge, including John 5:27: “He has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”ĮVERYONE THOUGHT THE MESSIAH WAS GOING TO DESTROY GOD’S ENEMIES, BUT JESUS LOVED HIS ENEMIES One of the titles of the Messiah that was most strongly linked to the role of judge was the “Son of Man”, because, in Daniel 7:10 and 13-14, it speaks of the Messiah being led into the heavenly courtroom, where the book of judgement was open, and being given authority by God to reign over and judge humanity. In ancient times, kings acted as the supreme judge of their land, charged with establishing justice within their kingdoms, which they did by putting bullies on trial and convicting them. Most believed that he would be a warrior king who would liberate God’s people from their enemies. Jesus’ understanding of God’s love for sinners was part of his challenge to the common belief about the Messiah. They felt that if they should hate God’s enemies, the sinners of the world, they must be among the righteous. Many passages in the Old Testament equate sinfulness with being God’s enemies, such as: “For surely your enemies, O Lord, surely your enemies will perish all evildoers will be scattered” (Psalm 92:9). God’s enemies were not just the national enemies of Israel, but all sinners. Like many, their understanding from the scriptures was that God would send the Messiah to establish God’s kingdom on earth by destroying his enemies. They referred to themselves as the “Sons of Light” who shared an “eternal but concealed hatred of the men of the Pit” as they awaited the Day of Vengeance – the great war when they would destroy the “Sons of Darkness”. They took an oath twice daily “to hate forever the unjust and to fight together with the just”. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1946, they revealed that the Essenes (an ancient Jewish sect) actually did teach this. Scholars used to wonder who Jesus was quoting when he said “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy”, because it’s not actually found in the scriptures or in normative Jewish teaching. But understanding it in its context is critical for grasping the implications of Jesus’ ministry and our calling as members of his kingdom. “Love your enemy” is probably the most difficult command Jesus ever gave and, even for us today, it might seem impossible. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45). “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. ![]() Not only was it radical, it was central to his teaching about the kingdom of God and his mission as the Messiah. There was, however, one major theme that was entirely unique to him. Some of Jesus’ teachings were quite similar to those of other rabbinic teachers of his time. ![]() 25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, the Church still has a vital role to play.Matt Redman: ‘Reverence in worship has become my lifelong pursuit’.Rev Les Isaac: ‘I get bored if I’m in church too much.
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