His mission is that he has to be put to death by the Romans to suffer so his blood will be the sign for redemption to come. This is the sign of the son of Joseph. This is the conscious view of Jesus himself. This gives the Last Supper an absolutely different meaning. To shed blood is not for the sins of people but to bring redemption to Israel,
- Israel Knohl, professor of Bible studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
A big hat tip to Andrew Sullivan who adds: "I'm not expert enough to judge the scholarship but the piece is fascinating. Any evidence that the meme of a Jewish savior having to suffer for the sins of Israel and rise after three days pre-dated Jesus is a big deal."
My name is Dan Porter. I have always believed in God. And I have always been a Christian, which means I have always believed, at some level of understanding, Christian assertions about Christ. But during all of my adult life—I am now 65—I have struggled with many seeds of doubt brought on by modern science, objective history, the question of why a loving God would allow so much suffering in the world and difficulties with seemingly conflicting moral precepts. 
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