Please note an important distinction in this narrative. Jesus is not a victim; he is a victor, glorified and already endowed with heavenly power. He speaks. His words would later be called the “Great Commission”: Go into all the world, make disciples of all nations and lo, I am with you always. Was this a missionary charge to go convert the heathen? Not a chance! There was no institutional church at that time that felt the need to gain converts. The risen Christ was saying, rather, go beyond your boundaries, your fears, your lines of security; learn to give yourselves away and know that you
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