Jeff Ragan’s Reviews > Jesus: An Interview Across Time > Status Update

"I believe that Christ the man in his conscious mind was engulfed by pain and suffering, almost overcome by it, and yet united with his human unconscious mind, Christ the all-knowing God thought of every single person for whom he was making this sacrifice. As he screamed in pain from the cross, He thought of you and He thought of me, and I am convinced that He will tell us that one day face to face" (408-9).

"Some people will do anything to deny my resurrection, even to spending years writing books about how it didn't happen.  That is some of the most wasted labor in history.  It's right up there next to the Roman soldiers who rolled the stone over my tomb" (386).

"Even during those horrible moments on the cross I was filled with the most indescribable love for my people. I wanted to bring them and my Father together. I would do anything to bring about that oneness. This was my glory - to accomplish that reconciliation" (376).

"It was interesting how God gave me different passages of Scripture at different times. I had prepared my mind for that journey, and my mind, living on His words, didn't let me down. I didn't give in to the scorner. I accepted my helplessness. I had won another round" (371).

"At the very center of God's being is the desire to express love continually...Eternally, He will make sure that love prevails, and He will prevent anything which would hinder it. Justice, then, is the protection of love. Hell will therefore exist to protect love, and it will be an eternal testimony to how great God's love is" (350).

"I gave Him my life in a new way at that moment because He had given me His life in a new way. With a great struggle, everything was once again all His. I then could finally take in death itself, contain it, and not be destroyed by it nor become destructive because of it. I had overcome the world. I had overcome every evil emotion that destroys souls" (347).

"If indeed [Jesus] had to grow in 'wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,' then certainly on this his last night as 'just a man,' he was in full bloom - 'Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.' He had become all of what man was meant to be - the perfect blend between a man of faith and a man of authority. He was the only true man" (330-1).

"'A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you.' This was their heritage. This was to be our power that would conquer the world. Not the power of might. Or of material wealth or political office. Not the power of fear. But the power of love. This was to be our calling card. A new day was dawning for all people everywhere" (326).

"God never made us immune to pain, because He's not immune. The only kind of relationship worth having is one where you are sensitive to the other person" (311).

"During all of Jerusalem's years, the Jews had seen many a king and ruler ride through those gates in triumph. I thought particularly of Alexander the Great, by whom all conquerors are measured then and now, who three hundred years earlier had ridden down this same road on his great stallion as he conquered the world for Greece. I thought to myself, 'Move over, Alexander. A carpenter...is the true king... (297)'"