Skeptic Bob
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2014
- Messages
- 16,626
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- Location
- Texas
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian - Left
How many offered themselves to go through that kind of torture, I wonder?
I don't know, but over the centuries I have no doubt it has happened. We know of soldiers and even people on the street who have given their life to save a friend or even someone they don't know. I am no fan of McCain as a politician but because of how important his family was the Vietcong offered to allow him to return home. Instead, out of solidarity for his compatriots, he remained in a place where he was subject to torture, misery, and mock executions. Minute per minute his torture certainly wasn't as bad as crucifixion but it was a LOT longer. And he endured it willingly.
How many rich and powerful men had offered themselves to suffer and die for what could be insignificant people (compared to their status)? Would a someone like Bill gates offer to die for a homeless man?
Especially if those people were rebellious against the powerful, rich man? Had caused the rich and powerful man such grief - repeatedly? Betrayed him repeatedly - the pain of the betrayal He compared to the pain felt by one whose spouse had committed adultery?
And here we're not talking about merely a rich and powerful person. We're talking about a God who need not have to go through all that. With a wave of His hand all His creation can be erased - and He would've had a clean slate to start all over again.
But instead, He chose to feel the pain, to suffer and die to save mankind.
OK, let's put ourselves in his place. It turns out everyone on earth is going to burn in hell for all eternity. Everyone. That includes everyone you have ever known and loved. Your mom. Every little child running around, including your own if you have them. Billions of people. BUT, if you allow yourself to get 39 lashes (and yes, they will rip the skin from your back) and then allow yourself to be nailed to a cross for six hours until you die, every single one of those people will be offered a get out of hell free card if they want it. And on top of that, you will become the King of Heaven and will have billions of people worship you for millennia to come.
That was the choice Jesus had. Hell, I would take that offer even without the whole King of Heaven thing just to save my child. I certainly would do it to save all of humanity. I am sure there are plenty of people who wouldn't do it but I think a significant percentage of the people would.