Renewal in Christ: Athanasius on the Christian Life

Chapter 6: Refutation of the Jews

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his coming forth should be visibly recognized by all the world. He was actually born in Judea, yet men from Persia came to worship him. He it is who won victory from his demon foes and trophies from the idolaters even before his bodily appearing—namely, all the pagans who from every region have renounced the tradition of their fathers and the false worship of idols and are now placing their hope in Christ and transferring their allegiance to him. The thing is happening before our very eyes, here in Egypt; and thereby another prophecy is fulfilled, for at no other time have the Egyptians ceased from their false worship except when the Lord of all, riding as on a cloud, came down here in the body and brought the error of idols to nothing and won over everybody to himself and through himself to the Father. He it is who was crucified with the sun and moon as witnesses; and by his death salvation has come to all people, and all creation has been redeemed. He is the Life of all, and he it is who like a sheep gave up his own body to death, his life for ours and our salvation. §38 – Jesus Is the Fulfillment of the Prophets Yet the Jews disbelieve this. This argument does not satisfy them. Well, then, let them be persuaded by other things in their own oracles. Of whom, for instance, do the prophets say “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people” (Isa 65:1–2). Who is this person that was made manifest, one might ask the Jews? If the prophet is speaking of himself, then they must tell us how he was first hidden, in order to be manifested afterward. And again, what kind of man is this prophet, who was not