As followers of Jesus Christ, we like to dwell on the positive promises in scripture such as: eternal life, victory, God’s presence and so on. What we don’t want to be reminded of is the fact that we are hated by the unbelieving world and are at war with darkness. Why else would we sing: Onward Christian Soldiers, The Battle Belongs to the Lord, Lead on, O King Eternal or Faith is the Victory and many more?
Sunday, we saw the irony of two blind men calling Jesus the “Son of David.” They could not see Him yet they believed He was the long-awaited Messiah who would be known as the “Son of David” according to Isaiah 9:7. The blind men could see this even before Jesus’ disciples and religious leaders.
When discussing the trinity with someone who doesn’t believe it or is confused, I learned from experience that it does not help to use ‘trinitarian texts’ such as the great commission in Matthew 28 where it mentions the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We don’t naturally consider the crucifixion as a means of being glorified. It was a means of maximizing pain, suffering, humiliation and the one crucified was considered damned by God.