Moved To: Video Updates!

I’ve decided to stop using, perhaps all together, this website, and will now give updates via video.

Here is the link:

YouTube: christophermattix

Jesus: Why Do We Hate Him? [Part 4 of 4]

Note: Bibliography of the entire paper is at the end.

To the modern reader the entire trial seems openly unjust, and blame seems to rest upon Pilate for being weak in light of the mounting pressure, as he clearly condemned an innocent man. But the story is much deeper, and one must again return, rightly so, to Mark 14, where the first trial took place.  It is here that the Jewish leaders openly condemn Christ to death, because of blasphemy, and Pilate is only their puppet to see their desires through (Klinghoffer 72-74). Mark 14:55 clearly settles this: “Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none” (Italics mine). The hard part for them was convincing the Roman government to sentence him. Bock sums this up by stating that “the examination that was held was always an attempt to gather charges, so that a case could be made before Rome and Pilate” (194).

Mark 10:45

The Sanhedrin did not condemn Jesus for claiming to be the Messiah, or for stating He would destroy the temple, or for His spiritual powers. As for Jesus being the Messiah, Jews prayed every day for the Messiah to come (Klinghoffer 63), they were expectantly waiting for Him and Jesus seemed to fit the requirements to many. As for Jesus’ threat to destroy the temple, it was largely laughed at, and was not of major importance. Lastly, Jesus’ spiritual powers could not be denied, even by the Sanhedrin, but they attributed it to Satan (Mark 3:22). No, none of these explain truly why the Jewish leaders had to kill Jesus. Of course, ultimately, Jesus had come to die, so their having to kill Jesus was only fulfilling prophecy and accomplishing His intended plan (Mark 10:45).

Jesus: Why Do We Hate Him? [Part 3 of 4]

It is here, at this trial, that Jesus is condemned and ultimately rejected by the Pharisees. The account that most scholars like to base their study off of seems to be in Mark 14:53-65, the earliest text on it, and so this study will also look at the details of it.

First of all, an ironic set of happenings characterize this event, because neither are the Hebrew Scriptures, nor the Mishnah (being still in unwritten form) followed, while they accuse Him of distorting Scripture. It can be seen, as Darrell Bock puts forth, that this “capital trial” went against the direct teachings of the Mishnah (190; Neusner, The Mishnah: A New Translation 589-90). When dealing with a crime deserving death, the trials were: to take more than one day, to not let the defendant be charged on that day, to not be on a Sabbath or a Feast day, to not take place in the house of the High Priest but at a public council (607-8), and lastly to let the defendant speak at the introduction to the trial. None of these happened during the trial that condemned Jesus by the standards of Jewish Law, as the Sanhedrin interpreted it. Also, in this specific case, the accusation was blasphemy, so the defendant could only be accused if he used the divine name as blasphemy (597-98).

Audio Sermon on Mark 14:53-65

A compliment to the essay on “Jesus: Why Do We Hate Him?”

Here is a link to download the audio: Sermon: Mark 14:53-65 (Judging the World’s Judge)

I preached this as a sermon at Centrelia Bible Chapel this weekend, in Centrelia, WA.

Let me know if you have problems with it.

Blessings, Christopher.

Jesus: Why Do We Hate Him? [Part 2 of 4]

Introductory Note: The first part introduced the subject of the animosity between Jesus and the Pharisees, as He harshly opposed them. The main argument, as I showed, and will continue to show in this section, had to do with the interpretation of Scripture. Can all read and understand the Bible? Jesus said that the Holy Spirit interpreted Scripture, while Pharisees said it was the “oral Torah”, an invented idea to defend themselves from the people.

[continued from part 1] … Christ Himself also proclaimed: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; italics mine).

Statements like these, among the myriad clearly infuriated the Pharisees! The Pharisees, as all other rabbis, had to borrow authority from othersources, and teach truth based on an ideas’ acceptance within the group (Klinghoffer 59). Christ stepped into the traditional way of interpreting Scripture, into the discussions, in the midst of the debates, and simply pronounced truth. It is why “the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). In one discussion with the Jewish people, at the temple, they asked Him about His claim to being eternal: “‘Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?’  Jesus answered… ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.’ So the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (John 8:53, 56-59).

Jesus: Why Do We Hate Him? [Part 1 of 4]

Introductory Note: This is a historical research essay looking at Christ in the light of the cultural, political, and religions elements surrounding the accusations against Christ and His subsequent crucifixion. I look specifically at the assaults of the Pharisees and other religions figures that hated Christ, basing my research off of Scripture and Jewish sources. I try to stay analytical and accurate to history, and it is research not a “Bible study”. I believe it will greatly increase your understanding of the Bible, especially the Gospels. May you be blessed!

Great clarity and great mystery at once surround Jesus, the Galilean teacher from the obscure village of Nazareth. Great clarity for He spoke clearly and authoritatively, teaching truth and demanding obedience. Yet great mystery, for His natural boldness turned to quietness and purposeful veiling when confronted with revealing His true identity. The paradox of a Man stands before us, the One who stands above the clouds in morality and teaching, yet stoops so low as to wash our feet and touch our leprosy. Before His trusted followers He acknowledged openly that He indeed was the prophesied Messiah, yet before the tribunals He shrouded His identity with deep secrets, to the anger of His opponents. This same Jesus openly attacked His opponents in public, only to weep soon after: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23:37-39, ESV).

The story of Jesus Christ is easily the most known to history, simple and beautiful as it is; yet one that does not cease to confound the scholars by the depths and greater beauty that lies in the study of the original texts about Him. And now the question lies open, the one that will be explored in the following work: why the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as their Messiah, and similarly why Jesus hid His full identity from them, boldly opposing them instead.

May-July Preaching Schedule (Updated)

Note: I’m putting up this information so you can know where I will be speaking/preaching this summer. I’ve been blessed with many opportunities; if you are in the area I would be happy if you could make it to any of these. I pray that God makes me a blessing wherever I go and preach, that I may rightly handle (II Timothy 2:15) the “living and abiding word of God” (I Peter 1:23).

May 27, 6:30 pm – Youth Group, Yakima, WA [Personal Testimony]

May 29

• 9:30 am – NLBC, Lynnwood, WA [II Timothy 2:14-26]

• 6:30 pm – Northgate BC, Seattle, WA [Psalm 131]

June 5, 9:45 am – Centrelia BC, Centrelia, WA [Mark 14:53-65]

June 12, 9:00 am – visit to Tieton Drive BC, Yakima, WA

June 19, 9:30 am – NLBC, Lynnwood, WA [Mark 14:53-65]

June 26, 10 am – Hope, Shoreline, WA [Exodus 4]

July 3, 9:30 am – NLBC, Lynnwood, WA [TBD]