QUOTE : God’s resurrection of Jesus vindicated and validated him, especially marking his death by crucifixion as redemptive and revelatory. Moreover, if Jesus’ crucifixion has been vindicated and validated by God, then clearly his cross must not ultimately be a sign of divine curse but a means of divine blessing (Gal 3:13–14).2 Furthermore, the early church’s otherwise absurd claim that the crucified Jesus is God’s appointed Messiah and Son actually makes sense. And if the crucified Jesus is the Messiah, then God’s way of saving Israel and redeeming the world is not by inflicting violence, but by absorbing it. Moreover, God’s activity in the world is characterized by exercising power through powerlessness and bringing life through death.