Chapter 9: Facing Death
What Jesus Said of Himself (p147)
As early as Mark 1:18-20 Jesus hints at being "taken away" (p147). The tradition of killing Prophets; execution of John Baptist: The vineyard murder (Mark 12:1-12) (p148). Conclusions a) "Jesus understood himself to be in person the climax of God's dealings with the Chosen People"; b) He found himself in controversy with religious leaders; c) The outcome would be unspecified, violent death; d) "There would be a dramatic change in his relationship with his 'vineyard' Israel"; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34) (p149). Assessing the evidence (cf three stages) (p150).
Entry into Jerusalem and Cleansing The Temple (p150)
Jesus not ingenuous (p150). In John cleansed Temple on first of four visits: 2.13, 5.1, 7.10, 12.12; inclined to follow Mark; did Jesus associate himself with Zechariah 9:9? (p151). John 2:13-22 links cleansing, destruction and Resurrection; Synoptics separate cleansing and destruction (p152). A radical break with the past; inadequate treatment of the entry and differences in Gospels - KC (p153).
The Kingdom (p153)
The Kingdom and his own victimhood; "... the arrest, trial, and Crucifixion of Jesus dramatised the very thing that totally engaged Jesus, the rule of God was to come through a time of ordeal"; Mark 14:25 (p153). The Last Supper and implied Resurrection; Mark 14:25 "leaves much unsaid" (p154).
Royal Anointing and Last Arrangements (p155)
Entry (with Messianic overtones) and cleansing two challenges to authority; Lazarus (John 11); anointing (Mark 14:3-9) assigned by Bauckham to regal anointing but Jesus said it anticipated burial; was anointing 'last straw' for authorities? Bauckham's theory of "protective anonymity" for the woman (p155). Anointing could be taken to assert kingship; protective anonymity not required as late as John 12:1-8; the anointing/entry sequence; Jesus knew Judas' plans, thus cautious donkey acquisition (Mark 11:1-7) and Passover preparation (Mark 14:12-16); thus the secret house, his Apostles did not even know; he did not want to be arrested until after the meal (but, whether Sabbath or Passover, he would not have been arrested that night - KC); the whole argument from anointing to secret room somewhat contrived - KC (p156).
The Last Supper (p156)
The "bread saying" historical and "wine saying" almost so (p156). 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 26:26-20 discussed (p158). Jesus calls for continuity through apostles as representatives; "It was intended to be the 'Last Supper' or climax of a whole series of meals that revealed his saving outreach to everyone"; how reconcile this with his RC position on exclusivity? - KC; fails to cite Dix or Bradshaw - KC (p158).
Characteristic Attitudes (p159)
"... a straight line ran from his serving ministry to his suffering death" (p159). Universal horizon; divine pardon offered to all (p160).
Contemporary Ideas (p160)
Persecution of prophets; Maccabean martyrs (p160). The evolution of atonement: Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-12; 1 Clement 16; Justin Martyr 13 (p161). No evidence that Jesus' sense of mission shaped by Isaiah; fascinating passage - KC (p162).
Conclusion (p162)
Jesus interpreted his death as atonement for Jews and Gentiles; discussion of John 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; John 6:25-59 replaces Eucharist (p162). John goes beyond synoptics in Eucharist meaning (p163).