1. The Two Natures of Jesus
Jesus: Human & Divine
The Two Natures of Jesus

2. Human Mind, Human Heart Joys and trials of human nature:
Close friends and family
Shared meals and celebrations
Wedding
Dinner with Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Visited the homes of others
Experienced hunger, frustration, pain, fatigue, suffering and sorrow
Cries
Psychological fear, genuine pain, and emotional anxiety
Dies
We join our everyday experiences to those of Jesus and are able to grow in holiness

3. A Faithful Jew Raised in a Jewish home Practiced his faith
Mary and Joseph are devout Jews who bring Jesus up in the Jewish faith
Circumcised
Presented at the Temple
Sacrifice of lamb and turtledove
Practiced his faith
Celebrates the Jewish holidays
Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication
Travels to Jerusalem for feasts
Studied the Torah and teaches with it
Goes to synagogue on the Sabbath

4. Life in the 1st century Historical background
Under Roman control since 63 AD
Local kings ruled but must remain faithful to the emperor
Three territories of Palestine ruled by the three sons of King Herod
Eventually Judea was given over to the control of a Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate
Realities of Roman occupation
Roman money
Roman presence
Roman taxes, in addition to local taxes
Opposition met with violence and cruelty
crucifixion
Roman religion
Emperor worship
Mystery religions
Greek influences
Egyptian influences

5. Geography Palestine (Canaan) Galilee Samaria Judea
Rural area, less sophisticated and less educated
Samaria
Despised by other Jews, claimed they were unclean because of their intermarriage and interaction with outsiders
Judea
Included Jerusalem and the Temple
People were more sophisticated, educated and well to do.
Plains, desert and fertile wilderness
About the size of New Jersey

6. Society’s Make-up Religious leaders Political leaders Citizens
Pharisees: lay reformers who held a strict view of the Law
Scribes: teachers of the Law; included Pharisees. A high priest presided over their group which was called the Sanhedrin
Priests: offered sacrifice at the Temple
Political leaders
Roman leaders: put in authority by the Emperor of Rome
Jewish kings: didn’t have any real power except over internal affairs
Sadducees: ruling class, wealthy men, who favored the Romans
Zealots: a group of Jewish people who plotted to overthrow Roman rule
Citizens
Wealthy class: those who owned land and had money
Lower class: worked for the wealthy (most of the population)
Outcasts: included the poor, sick, sinners and women (& tax collectors)

7. Historical Context Jesus is at odds with the society of the day
Cruelty and oppression from leaders
Jesus just barely escapes death as a baby
Jesus is criticized by the religious/political leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees,)
Tax collections
Jews employed by Rome to collect taxes were despised by the people
Political and economic oppression
Threats of violence and cruelty were a constant presence in their lives
Zionists are waiting for a political leader to save them from Roman oppression
Jesus associates with the “Marginalized people”
Poor, sinners, women, sick, tax collectors

8. Parables
Jesus used metaphors or similes drawn from common life experiences or nature to illustrate moral or spiritual truths. These accounts would challenge the audience to make a radical choice about entering the “Kingdom of God”. Many times the parable would follow a question.
Parables about the Kingdom
Parables about forgiveness

9. Parables Core elements of a parable Matthew 18: 23-35
Comparison
Elements from everyday life
Surprise twist
Description of God
Comment on how people relate to each other
Explains how God wants us to relate to each other
Description of the Kingdom of God
Matthew 18: 23-35
Kingdom of God /King settling accounts
Debt payment
Forgiveness of the debt
Compassionate
Was not compassionate to the one who was indebted to him
God wants us to be compassionate and forgiving to each other
(Justice)
What question preceded the parable?
If my brother sins against me, how many times must I forgive him?

10. Miracles
Jesus used wonders or signs attributed to divine power that show that Jesus is the Messiah and that the Kingdom of God is present in him
Even though miracles pointed to his divine authority and power Jesus did not perform them to this end. He did it out of compassion for the suffering of the persons and to give them a glimpse of the kingdom of God
Miracles of nature Harmony with nature
Miracles of healing take away suffering
Miracles of exorcism overcome evil
Miracles of Resurrection overcome death

11. Titles of Jesus Messiah or Christ Lord Redeemer The “anointed one”
OT name for God is YHWH
Substitute- adonai or Lord
An indication of Jesus’ divinity
In Greek Kyrios
Redeemer
Ancient practice of paying a ransom for a slave by someone known as a redeemer. It was not possible for a slave to buy another slaves freedom
Jesus paid the price to free us from our sins. It was not possible for a human alone to buy back our freedom. Only God could do this.

12. Jesus in John’s Gospel Jesus is Divine Prologue
Jesus is the “Word” who was there in the beginning. All was created through him.
He breaks through time and space and enters the human world (Incarnation)
Theophany- we see God face to face

13. Book of Signs Signs of Jesus’ Divinity
“I am” statements
allude to God’s answer to Moses “I am that I am”
Each one tells us something about Jesus’ relationship to us
I am the Bread of Life
…the Good shepherd
…the Way, the Truth and the Life
…the Resurrection and the Life
…the light of the world
…gate for the sheep
…the vine you are the branches
Signs
Miracles that have a deeper meaning
Wedding at Cana
Healing of the official’s son
Healing of a crippled man on the Sabbath
Feeding of the 5000
Jesus walks on water
Jesus gives sight to the blind man
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

14. Stories Acknowledgment of Jesus as divine Nicodemus
To be born again of water and the spirit
The Samaritan Woman
Not bound by customs or stereotypes
Jesus talks to her-Samaritan, woman, sinner
The Woman caught in adultery
God alone has the right to judge us. Shows the mercy of God.
We have no right to be in judgment of another

15. Union of Human and Divine
Early Church Councils
Response to the heresies circulating regarding Jesus’ nature
Council of Chalcedon
Proclaimed the hypostatic union of Jesus’ human and divine natures
Council of Constantinople (2nd)
Everything that human Jesus did, God did, including suffering and dying
Hypostatic Union
The union of Jesus Christ’s divine and human natures in one divine person, joined completely as one
We experience Jesus divinity through his humanity
Jesus never stops being God
Everything Jesus did, God did
Talk about the seamless garment