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Ramblin' Dan
Dan Roloff is the editor of TheHighCalling.org, and his blog, Ramblin’ Dan, has a little bit of everything. At times, a theologian, philosopher, comedian, publisher, sports enthusiast, and businessman, Dan offers a transparent look at the high calling of one man’s work.
subscribe to this blog >Christian Cannibals
4.5.10
Eaters of human flesh—that's how many ancient people viewed Christians. Cultic worship consisted of eating the body and blood of a man.
In the first century, many Greeks and Romans considered Christians cannibals. They heard others talk about Christians eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus. This human sacrifice by cannibalism frightened much of the populace. Christians by the end of Nero’s reign, around 65 A.D., were a detested lot.
People followed Christ because they could identify with his suffering or that God chose to sacrifice his Son who suffered. Pagan religions did not offer a god who suffered with his people. While all ancient religions had some form of sacrifice, none offered a god of self-sacrifice. Jesus poured out his own blood for the sake of the people.
The death of Jesus on the Cross was shocking to people primarily for two reasons. Crucifixion was a horrible way to die. And only the worst criminals faced crucifixion. The people of the first century knew suffering. Death served as an all-consuming thought. It was all around them, and there existed little hope beyond a life of suffering. God chose crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice.
After descending to the evil of the world, God did something miraculous. Jesus ascended. First he appeared to his followers and then went to be with the Father, but the Spirit remains and offers us hope.
For the people who dealt with desperate situations as part of daily life, Jesus offered something the gods did not. In a world filled with despair, Jesus offered hope. Hope lifts the emotions and transforms the individual.
Easter fills us with hope for this world and the world to come. We celebrate a God of mercy and compassion who suffered humiliation and death for our sakes.
READER'S COMMENTS
Good and timely encouragement for us in northern Nigeria these days of increased religious riot. It's good to be reminded that Jesus offered us what the gods did not or could not have offered. Thanks Dan.
Ade, I want you to know that you are in our prayers.