Socio-Rhetorical Examples
Definition of human redemption.
In Mark 15:1-16:8, the ultimate redeeming moment for Jesus is his rising up. It is not obvious, however, that the transformation of one's body into a body that can rise up from death is meant for all people, or even for all people who believe in Jesus' resurrection. This is a special event that occurs with God's beloved son. What, then, is its benefit for other humans--those who are not specially chosen to be the beloved son of God?
Many times in the narrative, Jesus casts out unclean spirits and demons to restore people to fully functioning human beings. In addition, he heals people by touching them, and some people receive healing when they touch him. Thoughout his activity on earth, then, Jesus brings renewal to people whose lives are afflicted. But what happens as a result of his death and resurrection? While Jesus is hanging on the cross, the issue remains the salvation of Jesus himself. People who pass by taunt him to "save himself" by coming down from the cross. Chief priests and scribes assert that he saved others but he cannot save himself. So the issue in the account of Jesus' death and resurrection is Jesus' saving of himself rather than his saving of others in some special way through his acceptance of what God wills as a necessity for him.
In Mark 10:45 Jesus tells his disciples that the Son of man has come to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Then in Mark 14:24 Jesus tells his disciples that the cup is his blood of the covenant poured out for many. These two moments bring forth assertions that the purpose of Jesus' death is to bring release from powers of death to other people. Again, however, the fact that this happens and the exact result of its happening remain at an implicit level instead of moving to a level where they are explicitly explained in the story. Once again, exactly what kind of human redemption occurs through Jesus' death and resurrection remains a mystery, hidden except for those who can see it.
From V. K. Robbins, Exploring the Texture of Texts, (Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1996), p. 126.
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