Who Made the Sacrifice?
April 19th, 2010Have you noticed that some church people are not fond of Jewish people? Christians at times can be highly anti-Semitic. Why do you think that is?
One person told me that she did not like Jews because they crucified Jesus, or at least initiated it. Another said that he did not like Jews because they still reject Jesus as the Messiah. These ideas set me to thinking about Jewish-Christian relationships.
Without getting too far into Christian atrocities toward the Jews, it seems interesting that Christians have little animosity toward the Italians. Pilate and his Roman Legions had a significant role to play in the death of Jesus. They were just as guilty as Jews in his crucifixion. In addition, there are hosts of Italians who do not believe in the Jesus of the New Testament.
A question comes to mind. Which of the Jews actually wanted Jesus to die? It was not his Jewish disciples – not the 12; not the 120. It was not the Essenes. It was not the Pharisees. It would not have been the Zealots. It was not the working class. The group primarily responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus was the Sadducees.
The Sadducees are noted for their disbelief of the resurrection and angels (they are “Sad, You See”). They did not believe in the Oral Law as did the Pharisees (and Jesus). They were primarily the Priests of the day headed by Annas and Caiaphas. They made a great deal of money trafficking in the religion of the Jews. This was done at the expense of the individual worshiper. Jesus was a threat to them and their financial gain (“It’s the Economy, Stupid!”)
Let’s go another step. Consider this. The priests had some significant duties according to the book of Leviticus. They tended the altar fire. They made the ritual sacrifices of animals. They determined the cleanness of animals and people. They determined leprosy and the healing of leprosy in individuals and mold in the homes. They had a great number of things to do, especially where the tabernacle and temple were concerned. At Passover and Day of Atonement, and daily, they made the animal sacrifices – the blood of the innocent for the cleansing of the guilty. These sacrifices foreshadowed to the death of Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
Isn’t it fitting that the Sadducees (priests) would be responsible for the death of Jesus? They were the ones charged with making the sacrifices. They would be the ones to initiate Jesus’ once for all sacrifice (see John 11:49-53). These priests offered up the Lamb of God for the sake of the nation and the world (John 3:16).
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
