You may be aware that I have been reading/blogging through Michael R. Licona’s The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. One section that I found very interesting was his discussion on martyrdom (pp. 286-289). He compares stories of other Jewish martyrs with those of Jesus in order to display how authentically the gospels display Jesus in this regard.
For instance, in Gethsemane (Mk. 14.31-41; Mt. 26.36-45; Lk 22.39-46) Jesus is seen weeping and asking the Father to take the cup of suffering from him. He does not come across as bold. Once he knows it is the Father’s will he is firm until the end, but his weakness in Gethsemane is (1) something you wouldn’t invent about your hero and (2) unlike other martyrs.
Licona discusses 2 Macc. 7 where the Jewish martyrs stand firm and defiant while being tortured. In 4 Macc. 6.1-30 “Eleazar is whipped until his flesh is stripped and his sides pierced”. He is burned at the stake and through it all he says a final prayer. In Acts 6.8-7.60 Stephen stands defiantly against the Jewish leaders before being stoned to death. In the second century Rabbi Akibai is tortured to death and he recites the Shema and laughs at the Roman rulers. Even Polycarp’s martyrdom depicts him as almost desiring it.
Yet Jesus didn’t want it. Isn’t it funny how the one who is worshiped as divine is displayed as the most human of all?
the archives near Emmaus 
Just discovered your site. Good post. Of course, the Lord had His many moments of defiance against the Scribes and Pharisees, and when He cleaned out the Temple. He just did not die on those occasions as Stephen did. No one would be able to touch Him until He willingly surrendred to the Father’s will at the right time. He differs in this sense from other martyrs since He is the only Sacrifice Lamb. I’m sure many went to their deaths in a humble, submissive manner, but as you state, their mind was made up. They were determined to serve God and
honor Him with their deaths. Thanks, RJ.
RJ: Thanks for coming to the blog! Yes, Jesus did have moments where he displayed the same type of boldness as those others mentioned. Actually, after the garden he was very bold the rest of the way. That being said, I appreciate the way the gospel narratives show us Jesus in his moment of desperation. It hides nothing and shows us that our Savior was very, very human.
I like that you brought that up, Brian. The Lord is the most misunderstood Person in history. It’s hard to wrap our heads around the fact that He is both fully human and fully God. He is indeed very human, and will remain that way forever. YHWH, the one and only God, actually became a Man. Many Christians miss this. Scripture does not teach that the Lord Jesus is an “eternal Son.” There was no “pre-existant Christ” prior to the incarnation (other than God Himself). However, after the resurrection, there was nothing keeping the Lord from doing anything He wanted to in human form, or going anywhere He wanted to go. He became God in human form not bound by time. He “walked” with Adam. He appeared to Abraham with two angels. He appeared to Joshua. He appeared to Moses. Scripture states these men actually knew the Lord Jesus, not a mere theophanic form of God. God is indeed very human.
RJ: I think you depart from what I am saying. While I agree that the Logos may have been the one to appear before the incarnation I do not reach the same conclusion that (1) there is no difference between these theophanies and the incarnation. I think there is a very important, ontological difference between a theophany and the incarnation in which the “Word became flesh”. (2) While Scripture may not say “eternal Son” it is not incorrect to say that the Son is eternal. If the Son is the Logos than it is the one and same person who was eternal.
The word “Logos” (Greek) of John is translated into Hebrew as “Dabar” (Word). We first find this Hebrew word in Scripture in relation to God in Genesis 15:1. The word, or speech, or voice of God “came” (hayah) to Abram in a vision. YHWH spoke to Abram.
This “dabar” was not a different personage from God, but the “word” of God. In the very next verse, Abram refers to this person as the Lord GOD, or “Adonay YHWH.”
John said the “Logos” is God. God became flesh, or, YHWH (one God) became a human being, and dwelt among us. John 1:3 clearly states the “Logos” is the Creator.
I believe we both agree that our Lord Jesus is both God and Man, and that He gave His life in payment for our sins. That’s what really matters. Blessings to you.