Language of Culture “Life & Ministry of the Messiah, Part 1” from “That the World May Know” series

1 st Century Nazareth A village of a few hundred people – In southern Galilee – Very near the Via Maris The main highway/trade route – Just 3 miles south of Sepphoris

Sepphoris Built by Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great) – Built at the same time as Jesus was being raised in Nazareth The capital city of the region – On 500 acres of land – 25,000 to 30,000 inhabitants – Theater could seat over 4,000

Herod Antipas Reigned 6-39 AD over Galilee and Perea – Also built Tiberias on the W shore of the Sea of Galilee This is the Herod who killed John the Baptist This is the Herod who Pilate sent Jesus to for trial

Perea Galilee

Jesus Jesus learned Joseph’s trade Joseph was a tekton (Matt 13:55) – Normally translated carpenter, but – Really means craftsman/builder – Most of the building in Galilee and Judea was with stone, not wood Jesus, Joseph and possibly his brothers may all have worked in building Sepphoris

Jesus Jesus knew the culture of his area and it was diverse The sophistication of Sepphoris The rural Nazareth Fishermen, farmers, tradesmen, laborers But also the wealthy and influential

Jesus One of Jesus’ followers (disciples) was Joanna – The wife of Cuza – Cuza was the minister of finance for Antipas – Herod Antipas indirectly financed Jesus’ ministry Jesus associated with a wide range of people and was comfortable doing so Who else did this?

I Corinthians 9 19 For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order gain even more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew to gain the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) to gain those under the law. 21 To those free from the law I became like one free from the law (though I am not free from God’s law but under the law of Christ) to gain those free from the law. 22 To the weak I became weak in order to gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some.

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Jesus’ Teaching Method Jesus could communicate with a wide variety of people – Farmers – Fishermen – Laborers – Educated people – Merchants – Tax collectors – Rulers

Jesus’ Teaching Method Discuss (activities & images Jesus used, and who would have understood the images) – Matthew 8:1-2,5,16-18 – Matthew 12:33-35 – Matthew 13:47-50 – Luke 11:11-13 – Luke 15:4-7

Jesus’ Teaching Method Discuss (activities & images Jesus used, and who would have understood the images) – Matthew 8:1-2,5,16-18 Leper Centurion Demon possessed Sick

Jesus’ Teaching Method Discuss (activities & images Jesus used, and who would have understood the images) – Matthew 12:33-35 Trees Treasurys

Jesus’ Teaching Method Discuss (activities & images Jesus used, and who would have understood the images) – Matthew 13:47-50 Fish net

Jesus’ Teaching Method Discuss (activities & images Jesus used, and who would have understood the images) – Luke 11:11-13 Parents/children

Jesus’ Teaching Method Discuss (activities & images Jesus used, and who would have understood the images) – Luke 15:4-7 Sheep/shepherd

Our Teaching Method How can we apply Jesus’ approach in our teaching? – Know your audience’s way of life/professions – Know your audience’s culture – Know current events – What else?

Cultures Jesus was raised in Nazareth – A small Jewish town – Very religious – Very poor Right next door was Sepphoris – A center of Hellenism/Romanism – Rich, influential – Ruling class

II Corinthians 4:2 “But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.” Know your audience and be yourself Don’t resort to tricks