Bingowings said:
Go on Warb.
Explain to me how one of hundreds of thousands of human beings nailed up by the Romans in anyway makes my life or the life of anyone else who lived later any better than it was if it hadn't happened.
Taking as a given that Jesus existed, was the son of God and died in that fashion.
What does dying for our sins actually mean?
I promise I will not mock you just explain it.
If it's something I can't understand because I'm not the God of the Bible myself, why should this act in any way impress me?
Traditions and doctrines of men, confusions, and the nature of the message itself prevent communication of these concepts.
The Bible is meant to work on the subconcious much of the time. It's targeted at "God's people" who are more "atuned" to the wavelength on an emotional and spiritual level.
I find it much easier to think of these things in a stark and "naturally" human sort of way.
Suppose you break into someone's home and steal and destroy and abuse the residents in ways that violate what is generally understood to be the Law. You are caught and brought before the Chief Magistrate. Your case is hopeless. The Judge has every authority and reason to send you up. He can have you executed if you are a habitual offender.
Now suppose that this Chief Magistrate declares that, because you have done these things, he is going to take your innocent and beloved spouse or child or dearest friend and torture and murder that person in the most horrible way for YOUR crimes.
Would you still believe that this Magistrate, who is otherwise responsible for enforcing the Law and convicting the evil doers, is still the one to pass judgement over you?
God is the only one who can pass final judgement at your death. God has presented us with a way for him to withdraw as judge.
But there is a catch. The one who is agonizingly tormented and murdered must truly be your dear loved one and friend. If you petulantly ignore this person and violate the principals the victim holds dear, you cannot claim the victim as your greatest friend.
It doesn't matter how many others in history have suffered or if their individual sufferings might have been even worse. They are not your most beloved friend.
God could have tortured Jesus for months or years. It was for an afternoon to fulfill many things in the correct way.