129. The reason why the Lord was willing to undergo temptations even to the point of suffering upon the cross, was that He was the Prophet, and prophets in ancient times meant the church's doctrine from the Word; consequently they represented the church in its state at that time by the various unfair, harsh and even criminal acts imposed on them by God. However, since the Lord was the Word itself, by His passion on the cross as the Prophet He represented the way in which the Jewish church profaned the Word. Another reason was that He should thus be acknowledged in the heavens as the Saviour of both worlds. For all the details of His passion stand for details of the profanation of the Word; and the angels understand them spiritually, while men in the church do so naturally. The following passages establish that the Lord was the Prophet:
The Lord said, Nowhere is a prophet less honoured than in his native country and in his own home. Matt. 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24. Jesus said, It is not fitting for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. Luke de Jerusalem. Luke 13:33.
Fear seized them all, and they praised God, saying that a great prophet had been raised up among them. Luke 7:16.
They called Jesus 'The Prophet from Nazareth.' Matt. 21:11; John 7:40, 41. It was said that a prophet should be raised up from among the brothers, whose words they were to obey. Deut. 18:15-19.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church