Suffered, Crucified, Died and Buried

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified

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Accomplishing God's Plan (571-573)

Jesus' death and Resurrection accomplished God's "once for all" (Heb 9:26). This is the very center of the Good News proclaimed by the apostles. The Church faithfully proclaims Jesus' interpretation that he "should suffer these things and enter into his glory" (Lk 24:26-27).

Jesus was "rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes" and was "handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified" (Mk 8:31, Mt 20:19). Faith examines the circumstances of Jesus' death from the Gospels and other historical sources to better understand the meaning of redemption.

Reasons for the Accusations (574-575)

From the very beginning, certain groups agreed to destroy Jesus (Mk 3:6 and 13:1). Because Jesus expelled demons, forgave sins, healed on the Sabbath, gave novel interpretations to the law, and was friendly with public sinners, some ill-intentioned persons thought Jesus was possessed by a demon (Mk 3:22). He was accused of blasphemy, false prophecy, and religious crimes (which Jewish law punishes by stoning).

Jesus' deeds were a "sign of contradiction" especially for Jerusalem's religious authorities (whom John calls "the Jews"). In contrast, Jesus' relationship with the Pharisees was not always polemical. He endorsed some of their teachings (resurrection from the dead, almsgiving, fasting, addressing God as Father, the centrality of love) and, on occasion, dined with them.

The Four Objections (576)

Four objections arose against Jesus' ministry:

  1. Jesus seemed to be acting against some essential institutions of Israel
  2. He did not submit to the whole written law or the Pharisaic interpretation
  3. He did not accept the centrality of the Temple as God's holy dwelling place
  4. He claimed a share in God's glory which is given to no man

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