Faith & Reason Nexus

In the Old Testament, God’s covenant and the Scriptures were primarily focused on the Jewish people. The New Testament, however, marks a significant shift by emphasizing that salvation is available to all humanity, not just the Jews. This is encapsulated in John 3:16, which states that God gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him would have eternal life.

Regarding why Jesus came when He did, rather than earlier, several factors contributed to this timing:

1. Historical Context: Jesus’ arrival during the Roman Empire’s dominance was significant. The Romans had established extensive infrastructure and a common language (Greek), which facilitated the spread of Jesus’ teachings.
2. Prophetic Fulfillment: Genesis 3:15 contains the first messianic prophecy, indicating that the Messiah would suffer but ultimately defeat evil. This prophecy laid the groundwork for understanding the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice.
3. Roman Crucifixion: The method of crucifixion, introduced by the Romans, was particularly brutal and fitting for the concept of thanatos—a gruesome and excruciating death. This form of execution suited the fulfillment of the prophecy about the Messiah’s suffering and the ultimate defeat of sin and death.
4. Greek Language: By the time of Jesus, Greek had become a widely spoken international language due to Alexander the Great’s conquests. This made it possible for Jesus’ teachings and the New Testament writings to reach a broad audience across the Roman Empire.
5. Roman Roads: The Roman Empire’s extensive road network facilitated the spread of Christianity throughout the empire and beyond, allowing the message of Jesus to be communicated more effectively.
6. Roman Adoption Practices: The Roman legal system’s concept of adoption allowed for a broader inclusion into God’s family, making it possible for Gentiles to be adopted into the covenant, complementing the broader reach of Jesus’ mission.

The delay in Jesus’ coming, despite the promise of a Messiah in Genesis 3:15, can be understood through several key factors highlighted in Galatians 4:4-5, which state that Jesus came when the “fullness of time” had come. This implies that God had a perfect timing for the arrival of Jesus based on various historical, cultural, and logistical reasons:

1. Historical Preparation: By the time Jesus arrived, the world had undergone significant historical changes that made it more conducive for the spread of Christianity. Alexander the Great’s conquests established Greek as a common international language, which facilitated the communication of Jesus’ message across diverse regions.
2. Geographical and Political Context: The Roman Empire’s extensive road networks and administrative unity allowed for relatively easy travel and communication throughout the empire. This connectivity helped spread the message of Jesus more effectively than it would have in a less interconnected world.
3. Theological and Cultural Readiness: The Roman and Greek cultures were at a point where the philosophical and religious ideas were ripe for the introduction of a new message. The concept of salvation, resurrection, and a universal God fit well into the cultural and philosophical landscape of the time.
4. Development of Crucifixion: Crucifixion, as a method of execution, was developed by the Romans and provided a particularly fitting way to fulfill the prophecy of the Messiah suffering and dying a “thanatos” death, which was both brutal and symbolic of the ultimate sacrifice.
5. Legal and Social Structures: The Roman legal system and social structures, including the concept of adoption and citizenship, helped frame the theological implications of Jesus’ work, especially in terms of incorporating Gentiles into the faith.

In essence, God’s timing for sending Jesus was based on preparing the world to receive and propagate the message of salvation effectively. This preparation included the spread of a common language, the development of infrastructure, and the establishment of a political and social context that would support the growth and spread of Christianity.

Unlike previous empires, which did not impose their languages beyond their immediate regions, Alexander’s spread of Greek had lasting effects. Greek became the dominant language in many parts of the Mediterranean and Near Eastern world. This widespread use of Greek laid the groundwork for the New Testament to be written in Greek, enabling the message of Jesus to be communicated across a broad and diverse audience.

The subsequent Roman Empire continued to use Greek as a common language of administration, culture, and trade, further cementing Greek’s role as a universal medium of communication. This historical context was crucial for the global dissemination of Christianity, allowing the teachings of Jesus to reach a wider audience than would have been possible otherwise.

1. Crucifixion and Thanatos Death: The term thanatos in Greek refers to a particularly gruesome and painful death, which aligns with the brutal nature of crucifixion. The word “excruciation” derives from “crucifixion,” highlighting its intense suffering. The method of crucifixion, developed by the Romans, was the most fitting for the prophetic descriptions of Jesus’ suffering and death, as outlined in Isaiah and Romans 6:23.
2. Timing of Jesus’ Arrival: The coming of Jesus was strategically timed to coincide with the height of Roman influence. This period saw the widespread use of Greek as a universal language, extensive Roman road networks, and the Roman method of adoption. These factors facilitated the spread of Christianity and the theological implications of Jesus’ life and death.
3. Roman Method of Adoption: The Romans introduced a unique adoption method where adopted individuals could be considered co-heirs with biological children. This concept of adoption is used in the New Testament to describe how Gentiles (heathens) are adopted into God’s family, sharing in the spiritual inheritance with the children of Israel.
4. Universal Accessibility: The interconnectedness provided by Roman infrastructure and the common use of Greek allowed the teachings of Jesus to reach a broad audience, including both Jews and Gentiles. This historical context underscores why Jesus’ teachings and the New Testament writings were able to have a global impact.
5. New Testament Overview: Understanding the historical and cultural context enhances the reading of the New Testament. The themes of the New Testament, making it more meaningful and enjoyable for readers.

This approach connects historical events with theological significance, providing a deeper understanding of why Jesus’ life and message were so impactful.