Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Chizuk Emunah (Pt 2) Under the Microscope: Chapter 21

Matthew 20:28, Jesus thus communicates to his disciples, "Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister," etc. The same is stated in Mark 10:45. By this passage, Jesus makes the declaration destructive of the dogma of his divinity, that he, being the son of man, is a servant and not a master; or in other words, that he is not the King Messiah of whom it was said of Zechariah, in his book, chapter 9:10, "And his kingdom shall extend from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." Also, in Psalm 72:11, "And all kings shall bow down unto him, all nations shall serve him." And in Daniel 7:27, "And all rulers shall serve and obey him."

Again, Son of Man is a reference to a divine being in Daniel 7, as well as in apocalyptic literature. This figure is heavenly, and is given dominion over all of God's creation. Zechariah also said in 9:9 that the king comes lowly and riding on a donkey. This seems like a humble gesture, and one that would indicate a servant's heart.

Also, remember that in Chapter 41 of the first part, Troki argued that Daniel 7:27 does not refer to Messiah, and yet in this chapter, he does.

But again, it's hard to understand what Troki's objection is supposed to be. It does not follow that because Messiah is supposed to be exalted, that therefore he cannot first suffer shame and humiliation. And it's not as though the New Testament denies a future reign of Jesus.
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
-Acts 1:6-9
 The context presupposes that Jesus will return to rule on earth. So what exactly is Troki's objection? Is he saying that the New Testament does not teach that Jesus will be glorified and rule the world? Is he saying that anyone who ministers cannot be God? Is he arguing that it is beyond the power of God to minister as a servant? If that is his objection, why does he think that. I do not remember any biblical teaching that prevents God from entering into his own creation in physical form, or of taking on the role of a servant.

Without more detail, it is hard to even understand how Troki is finding fault in this chapter.