Jesus Remembered: Christianity in the Making, vol. 1

THE CLIMAX OF JESUS' MISSION §17.6
that hope than did most other images. It is entirely possible that Jesus articulated
his own hope of vindication in such terms.
The probability remains, however, that any hope of resurrection entertained
by Jesus for himself was hope to share in the final resurrection. 281 If we tie
that possibility also into the bundle of kingdom and tribulation beliefs already
discussed, then the possibility is quite strong that Jesus saw the climax to his
mission as the climax to God's eschatological purpose. Jesus (and his disciples)
would suffer the final tribulation through which God's kingly purpose would
achieve its goal; the kingdom would come. His death would introduce that final
climactic period, to be followed shortly ('after three days'?) by the general resurrection,
the implementation of the new covenant, and the coming of the kingdom.
That still leaves us with the same ambiguities of disparate metaphors and diverse
imagery as confronted us at the end of chapter 12. But to be able to say even as
much is to say more than historical questers have usually allowed.
281. See also Evans, 'Did Jesus Predict?' 91-96.
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