The Day the Revolution Began summary

Revisiting the Crucifixion

In The Day the Revolution Began by N.T. Wright, we are invited to rethink the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus. Wright begins by pointing out that the traditional understanding of Jesus' death as a means of acquiring forgiveness for our sins is only a small part of the story. He argues that the death of Jesus was the beginning of a new era, a revolution that would transform the world.

Wright takes us back to the first century, explaining that the Roman Empire had imposed its own version of justice and peace on the world. In contrast, Jesus had proclaimed a different kind of kingdom, a kingdom marked by love, justice, and forgiveness. The crucifixion was, in Wright's view, the clash of these two kingdoms, the old and the new, the kingdom of Rome and the kingdom of God.

Jesus as Messiah and King

According to Wright, the crucifixion was not just a punishment for Jesus' supposed blasphemy or political unrest. It was the moment when Jesus, in his role as the Messiah, took upon himself the consequences of Israel's rebellion against God and the world's rebellion against God's intended order. In doing so, Jesus was inaugurating a new kingdom, the kingdom of God, where sin and death would be defeated.

Wright argues that Jesus' death on the cross was not just a random act of violence, but an intentional act of victory. It was the moment when Jesus, as the true king, was enthroned. His crucifixion was his coronation, the moment when he was declared to be the King of the Jews and, by extension, the King of the world.

The Power of the Cross

Wright then explores the early Christian understanding of the cross. He explains that the early Christians saw the cross not as a defeat, but as the ultimate victory. They believed that on the cross, Jesus had defeated the powers of evil, sin, and death. The cross was the place where the world was turned upside down, where the old order was overthrown, and a new order was established.

According to Wright, the power of the cross lies in its ability to reveal God's love and justice. It was on the cross that God showed the depth of his love for the world by taking upon himself the consequences of human rebellion. At the same time, the cross was the place where God's justice was fulfilled, where sin was dealt with, and where the way for a new creation was opened.

Living in the Light of the Cross

In the final part of The Day the Revolution Began, Wright explores the implications of the cross for our lives today. He argues that as followers of Jesus, we are called to live in the light of the cross. This means embodying the love and justice that the cross represents, working towards the establishment of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Wright concludes by challenging us to rethink our understanding of the cross. It is not just a symbol of forgiveness, but the epicenter of a cosmic revolution. It is the place where God's love and justice meet, where sin is defeated, and where a new world is born. In light of this, Wright encourages us to live as citizens of this new world, working towards its realization in our own lives and in the world around us.