When we think about Jesus' death on the cross it is significant that the people who killed Jesus were the powers of the world - the Romans and the Pharisees.
This is significant because it is the powers of the world who have usurped the authority of God. And it is they who have instituted the religion of rewards and punishments.
The purpose of this carrot and stick religion is not to obey God but to keep the masses under control.
So if God were to send a messenger who announced the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth it was they who stood to lose the most.
So, not wanting to lose their power and privilege, they killed Jesus and stole his religion.
It has been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
But Jesus said, "'And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father - the one in heaven.'" Matthew 23:9 (NRSV)
[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.]
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