In the world order we know, there is no place for peace and justice, for equal distribution of material and cultural goods, and for the dignity of every human being. Jesus took a stance for those values and was cynically disposed of as a rabble-rouser.

The worst part was that for a Jew of Jesus’ time, condemnation by the religious authorities meant unquestionable condemnation by God. Jesus pioneered the unthinkable conviction that even in this respect God’s ways are not our ways.

That God did not prevent his death seemed to prove him wrong and settle that point. Yet, by “raising him up,” God vindicated all that Jesus stood for.”

from Deeper Than Words