No not literal, but John the Baptist said Jesus was 'the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world'
An ultimate passover lamb for the world
Yeah ... I found Jesus to be pretty cool too. The way he lived, what he was about, the things he taught, his character, his no nonsense approach, his dedication, and well ... almost everything about him. I hate that he had to endure so much for his friends ... you know, the 12 who stood with him throughout, except for when the poo hit the fan and they were on the hit list too. He taught us not to fear, but then after what he endured how could they not? He taught them it was desired that we live abundantly, but then they too had a target on them. He taught us to be truthful, and then was killed and endured great suffering because he was umm ... so truthful. They made fun of him, put him out in front of all to humiliate and punish and kill him. Even after the fact .... of all that occurred ... his testimony and ministry endures, even as he endured that treatment.
If I were GOD I'd be mad as a bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep ... and I'm not even sure if my vengeance would be so swift but rather at least as enduring as the time Jesus has been expected to suffer and keep doing what some expect of him to do, but then ... I'm not a holy or sinless entity. I'm human and well ... I don't know if wrath is a strong enough term. You know, after sending his child into the world to save the world through his teachings, his character, his approach, his dedication, and the life he lead, which we were expected to follow. A servant is no greater than their master, yet he called them friends.
No greater love, which is another reason it baffles me how some expect him to pay and suffer and die to save them from death, which is to be honest, a wage well earned by living. It's not a bad thing to die, I think the greatest of all shames, even greater than the shame of scapegoating another is to never live at all ... after being given an opportunity to live life abundantly. Why? Because GOD so loved the world that HE gave his only begotten son that whosoever would believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life .... Everlasting. Now that's a term to be understood ... is it a life without end? If so, what type of life can be expected, given the situation at hand?
I love Jesus. I love God and I love people of all creeds and colors, and I also love myself enough to understand that I too have been wonderfully made in Gods image, knowing what I enjoy and what I don't, knowing what I find pleasure in and what I don't, knowing what it takes to keep love living, both inside myself and in this world. I stand when I need to for him the way I need to for him and I make no apology for doing so. Why? Because like God, and like Jesus, I want people happy and abundantly so, so I speak truthfully and in a manner any sensible person can understand and relate to.
Living Out Loud
The bold don’t live forever,
but the cautious never live at all.
Try not to be in the latter,
always too scared you’ll fall.
Never look back on life
with dismay in your eyes,
and never let the lows
override the slightest highs.
The wars you must fight,
fight them with pride,
and never be something
you feel you must hide.
You gotta learn how to live
because you can’t get it back.
Experience each moment
as if it’s fading to black.
Live with great passion.
Sometimes slow, sometimes fast,
like there’s no tomorrow,
because today never lasts.
It will pass you by
like a quick, fleeting breath.
If you live without heart
you’re just existing till death.
To never live at all
is the worst of all shame.
Take this life by the horns
and ride your best game.
It’s another “Tree of life”
and this advice I will give...
Don’t stay stuck on the bench.
Find some courage and live.