Why do most christian faiths focus on christs death instead of his life?

Question

Why wear a cross? Isn't that a bit like wearing an electric chair? Why do plays and make movies about his death? Why talk about the blood so much? Why to you pray to the cross? Sing about the cross? Talk about the sacrifice so much?

Why do you not focus on the life he lived? I know that you talk about it....but not near as much as you do the death. Then once a month you eat his flesh and drink his blood?!?! It's kinda morbid from an outsiders perspective. You've got the pagans beat hands down.

(ps - I don't believe in Jesus or the bible, but I'm curious why his story has been made into some sort of weird death worship)

Like in witnessing to us heathens...you guys say that we should believe in jesus coz he died for us. What?!?!

Why not say, maybe you could look at the wonderful life of miracles and love he lived to give us hope....or something like that. Instead of going for the blood!

Answer 1

Sad to say, most Christians only focus on their salvation and thus concentrate on his death, or the celebration of a former pagan ritual, which they claim is his birth.

His death did give us a hope we didn't have before and he did tell his diciples to celebrate the Lord's evening meal in "Remembrance of Me."

Even though u admit that u don't believe in him or the Bible, it's ironic the affect that he has had on so many people considering he died almost 2000 years ago. I also agree with your statement that we should concentrate on his life and the words he spoke, because they are timeless and inspiring to this day. He gave us the golden rule, the sermon on the mount, the wonderful parables, and he taught love and understanding of neighbor. He astounded the crowds with his simple and yet powerful teachings and miracles. The apostle John even said at the end of his gospel that if everything that Jesus had done was recorded, the world was not big enough to hold all the scrolls of his deeds.
Something else u should note is that Jesus warned that not all who claimed to be his followers , would actually be true christians. This is recorded at Matthew 7; 21.

Answer 2

I personally wear a cross because to me it a remebrance of where Christ went so I could move forward. I do not focus on his death but his life and the miracles he did after his death, and the miracles he has brought into my life. I stand today by the grace of God and no one else. I by rights should have died a few years ago but God saved me for something. His death and the blood he shed is extremely important as without it I would not have been offered a chance at redemption. However his life is the template by which I try to model my own. I often fall short but I have an example to follow and a savior who forgives me when I do fall.

Answer 3

The death and rebirth of Christ is the basis for Christianity. The fact that He died and came back makes it possible for the rest of us to have eternal life. That's why the death (and cross) are the focus. We do celebrate His birth during Christmas, but it is in His death that the journey truly begins. We all (Christians,Jews,Muslims,Pagans, etc) have "weird" rituals. That's what makes us unique; yet the same.
Peace,
Roided

Answer 4

His death is the reson He came to the world.
In Old Testament times, they had altars in which they sacrificed animals on. animals were sinless, the blood of something sinless, usually sheep or goats, cleansed them from their sins.
a note to why Jesus was also called "the Lamb of God" or "scape goat". He became the ultimate sacrifice.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Answer 5

This sounds like the kind of question a Mormon would ask - are you a Mormon??? Just wondering. Anyway...

For starters, most Christian Faiths don't focus on Christ's Death alone, but on His Death AND Resurrection. The Cross (as opposed to the crucifix) is a representation of Christ's Death AND subsequent resurrection, His victory OVER death and that He is alive today. That's why the empty cross is the symbol of Christianity. It represents the power of God, that He can die for the atonement of our sins and then have victory over that death.

The Bible makes it clear that the Cross is the symbol of God's Power for the Christian. Here are a few verses which teach us that:

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

It's certainly your free choice to choose not to believe in Jesus or the Bible. However, don't misunderstand and then mischaracterize Christianity as "some sort of weird death worship", because if you study Christianity you'll see that the worship is of LIFE - the victory OVER death which is to be had in Christ's atonement of our sins, through His death AND his resurrection and eternal life, we also may have eternal life. Whether or not you choose to agree with this message, that's what the message is. We do focus on his life, and we do focus on how He lived and what He commanded. I'm not sure why you choose to focus on one aspect and isolate it - either you really misunderstand or you're attempting to mischaracterize the faith. In any case, I hope I was able to shed some light on the issue for you! :)

Answer 6

Because it is the Death of Christ that allowed for the remission of our sins. He had to die. If He would have never died He could have never been a sacrifice. By one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and by the death an resurreciton of one man (Jesus) the world was saved.

Answer 7

He death was the purpose of his life. The cross is merely a symbol of our faith, not to be worshipped, or prayed to. His blood is what paid our way into Heaven. Not all Christians take communion.

His message is equally as important as his death.

Answer 8

The ultimate purpose of Jesus' life was what happened at His death and resurection. Up until that point His life was to show us two things. One is to show us how we should strive to live our lives...lead by example. The second was to prove who He was through the truths He spoke and the miracles He performed, but His ultimate purpose for living as a human was His death. The meaning behind this makes no sense to a non-believer until they realize their need.

Ask yourself this question: Do you believe you are a good person? Most people would answer "yes", but you will undoubtadly get varying answers from each person you ask as to what good is. God defines what is good through the 10 Commandments. Of all the commandments He gave it was these 10 that defines His Law to which we should all follow. If you want to see if you are a good person, then with a tender and honest heart ask yourself the following:

1) Have you ever lied? No matter what kind of lie it is.
2) Have you ever stolen anything? No matter how big or small or the value of the item.
3) Jesus said, "you have heard it said before thou shalt not commit adultry, but I say to you that anyone who looks at another with lust has committed adultry already in their heart. Have you ever looked at someone and lusted?
4) Have you ever used the Lord's name in vein? If yes what you have done is taken the name of the Creator, the one who gave you life and replaced it as a foul cursive word, and this is called blasphemie.

Now if you were honest with yourself and said yes to these questions as we all would have said yes, then you just admited to being a lying, theiving, adulterer and blasphemer, and that is just 4 of the 10 commandments. Now think back on the rest of the commandments, have you broken them as well. Add on top of that how many times over teh course of your life you have broken each commandment. Based on what you have just concluded, if you had to face God in judgement, would you be innocent or guilty? Would you go to heaven or hell?

Now maybe you might be saying, "well if God existed then I would go to heaven because He is a good God and He would have seen all the good I've done," followed showrtly by a list of your good deeds. Then I would ask you this...if someone committed murder and went before the judge in which the judge says "you have been found guilty for teh crime you have committed, do you have anything to say for yourself." "But your honor I only committed one murder, I have also don this, this and this (as you start naming all the good deeds you have done)" Would he be a good judge or a bad judge for letting the murder go? Of course he wouldn't be a good judge if he let the murder go, because he is a good judge he must punish the person for the crime they have commited. If we hold these standards to a human falible judge then how much higher standards should we hold God to, it is because He is good that He must punish all who have sinned.

Here's is where the importance of the cross comes in. If you were honest with yourself you would have to admit that under the standards of God you are not a good person. Do you know what He did so that you wouldn't have to be punished. He sent His son to earth as a sacrifice and to take the punishment for our sin, which we all deserve ourself. It is by grace (of God) through faith (in Jesus and His sacrifice) that we are saved and not through works (we do) so that no man may boast.

The taking of communion is to remind us of His sacrifice so that we never lose sight on what our salvation is based on. If youlook at most crosses you will see that it is only the cross you see and not the sacrificed body of Christ, why? Because Jesus was resurrected showing us that through His sacrifice death was defeated.

So the idea is that the purpose of the Law is to show our true nature and how we are seen through God's eyes as well as the purpose and meaning behind Jesus' death. The law can only drive you to Calgary, but the sacrifice of Jesus will set you free.

Anyways, I know that sounds like preaching and what not, but if you truley want understanding then there you go. This is the best way I can explain the importance of His sacrifice. I do agree that the actually praying to anything other than God, Jesus or the Holy Ghost is wrong and is idolotry.

Answer 9

The Apocalypse Of Saint John
Chapter 22

11 He that hurteth, let him hurt still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still. 12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his works. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb: that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

16 I Jesus have sent my angel, to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and stock of David, the bright and morning star. 17 And the spirit and the bride say: Come. And he that heareth, let him say: Come. And he that thirsteth, let him come: and he that will, let him take the water of life, freely.

Answer 10

True Christians do focus on Jesus' earthly life course. They pattern their lives after it. However, Jesus instructed his followers to CELEBRATE the anniversary of his death, not his birth.