CHAPTER THREE The Essential Jesus

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Mystery: God’s infinite incomprehensibility and saving plan for human history - Interesting and intimate connection between two understandings of mystery 1.) God who is a mystery is the same God who has chosen to reveal Himself in human history 2.) Everything about Jesus reveals a loving, infinite God of mercy

Mysteries of Christ’s Life - Only the gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us about the birth of Jesus and his years prior to ministry - Matthew and Luke used vivid birth and infancy narratives to introduce and summarize the major theological themes of their gospels - Even though they are different, each account represents an interest primarily in theology rather than history

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Luke • Jesus and John’s births foretold • Annunciation to Mary • Visitation • Magnificat of Mary • Birth/Circumcision of John • Benediction of Zechariah • Hidden life of John the Baptist • Birth of Jesus • Visit of the Shepherds • Presentation in the Temple • Hidden Life of Jesus • Jesus in the Temple Matthew • Genealogy of Jesus • Conception of Jesus • Birth into Bethlehem • Visit of the Magi • Flight into Egypt • Slaughter of the Innocents • Return to Nazareth in Galilee

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Jesus’ Baptism - Each of the four gospels used Jesus’ baptism as the starting point of his ministry - Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River • Symbol for Jewish freedom • Point of entry into the Promised Land after 40 years in the desert

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Jesus’ Baptism Cont. - Mystery of Jesus’ baptism displays the Lord’s humility • Took identity of His people allowing himself to be numbered with the sinners - Jesus is identified through three phenomena: 1.) Opening of the sky 2.) Dove is a symbol of joy 3.) Voice proclaiming, “You are my beloved son.”

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Criterion of Embarrassment: Used to determine what we can be sure really happened in Jesus’ earthly ministry • The criterion would conclude that Jesus must have been baptized because it would have been embarrassing to the early church to teach that the sinless one humbled himself in this way • The church would not make up Jesus’ baptism because it raises the potential question that Jesus might have sins that need cleansing.

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Criterion of Embarrassment Cont. - Good reasons why Jesus was baptized 1.) To show perfect submission to the Father’s will 2.) Foreshadow the baptism of his death 3.) Serve as a model for our own baptisms

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Criterion of Embarrassment Cont. Jesus’ work is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus’ baptism shows He is about His fathers work of salvation Jesus’ baptism foreshadows Christian baptism The Lord’s work can continue through His followers

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Temptations of Jesus - Jesus went to the desert to pray, fast, and prepare himself for the difficult mission ahead - He was tempted there by Satan • Unlike us, he never gave into the temptation and never sinned • Temptation to sin is not the same as sin itself

Mysteries of Christ’s Life Temptations of Jesus Cont. - Jesus’ victory in the desert foreshadows his ultimate victory - Jesus’ retreat in the desert helps him clarify His identity as God’s son and what his mission was to be • Unlike the chosen people, Jesus remained faithful to His Father

Jesus the Teacher Jesus had several exceptional qualities - He was authentic and genuine - He pursued people - He loved life and related to people on their level - He used colorful, down-to-earth language - He spoke with authority (quoted no one) - He was a brilliant debater

Parables of Jesus Parable: Compares something very familiar to an unfamiliar idea about God’s kingdom - Challenges us to use our imaginations, emotions, and minds to grapple with the truth being taught - Able to convey truth in a more interesting and memorable way than teaching by reciting cold facts - Forces hearers to look at reality in a fresh way

Parables of Jesus Kingdom (reign) of God - Refers to God’s active participation in life both in heaven and on earth - Jesus is the main principal agent of this kingdom - Central theme of Jesus’ preaching

Parables of Jesus Special Features of Kingdom of God It is for everyone It involves a life of service It is of a loving, God the Father It is united by the Holy Spirit It is a free gift from a merciful God

Jesus the Miracle Worker Miracles give proof to the claim that God’s kingdom was at hand and confirmed that God the Father sent Jesus to earth - Four categories of Jesus’ miracles: • Physical Healings • Nature Miracles • Exorcisms • Raising from the Dead

Jesus the Miracle Worker Miracles & Faith - Synoptic gospels used the word dynamis for miracle, meaning power - Jesus used the word semeion for miracle, meaning sign - To understand the meaning of Jesus’ miracles, we have to look at them from a biblical perspective

Jesus the Miracle Worker 1.) Jesus’ miracles reveal God’s power: • In and through Jesus, miracles help show who Jesus is and where He came from • Jesus has mastery over Satan and the forces of darkness; He crashes Satan’s power by healing and raising from the dead • Jesus has power to forgive sins; by forgiving sins he is speaking as God

Jesus the Miracle Worker 2.) Jesus’ miracles are signs of the coming of God’s kingdom: • Jesus dramatically witnesses to God’s love and compassion through his miracles • God’s kingdom is here; Satan’s reign is ending • The miracles were a response to people’s faith in Jesus

Jesus’ Obedience Jesus threatened many of the religious and civil leaders of his day because: 1.) He claimed to fulfill the Law of Moses but emphasized the spirits of the Law •He would heal people on the Sabbath, contrary to what authorities thought was necessary to keep holy the Lord’s day 2.) He freely associated with people who were considered outcasts

Jesus’ Obedience 3.) He treated women with courtesy and respect 4.) His message contained so many one-of-a-kind teachings that he could only be considered controversial and dangerous 5.) He forgave sins • Only God could forgive sin. Was this blasphemy?

Vocabulary Kerygma Kingdom (Reign) of God Midrash Mystery Parable Paschal Mystery Transfiguration