Chapter 7: Jesus Speaks SayingsandStories of the Kingdom CONCEPT A CONCEPT A Unlocking Jesus’ Unlocking Jesus’Words

Titles for Jesus in the Gospels Teacher Teacher Master Master Rabbi Rabbi

Unlike Rabbis of His Day Jesus Jesus claimed himself as the sole judge of the truth of what he taught claimed himself as the sole judge of the truth of what he taught called disciples to a lasting relationship with him & to share his mission called disciples to a lasting relationship with him & to share his mission called God “Abba” called God “Abba”

Jesus’ Words The Gospels are the early faith community’s reflections on & The Gospels are the early faith community’s reflections on & expressions of Jesus’ life & message – not his exact words. 2 words in the Gospels were probably Jesus’ original words or close to them: 2 words in the Gospels were probably Jesus’ original words or close to them: Amen Amen Abba Abba

The Ancient Jewish Way of Speaking Filled with Filled with Symbolism Symbolism Exaggeration Exaggeration Figurative Language Figurative Language Engages the whole person Engages the whole person

Ancient Jewish Speakers Supported almost every statement with Supported almost every statement with imagery from the Hebrew Bible

Chapter 7: Jesus Speaks SayingsandStories of the Kingdom CONCEPT B CONCEPT B Jesus’ Sayings & Stories in the Gospels Jesus’ Sayings & Stories in the Gospels

Pronouncement Stories Acted as a setup for pronouncement “PUNCH LINE” containing main lesson Acted as a setup for pronouncement “PUNCH LINE” containing main lesson Picking corn on the Sabbath Picking corn on the Sabbath Pronouncement or “Punch Line”: relationship of law to people’s needs Pronouncement or “Punch Line”: relationship of law to people’s needs

Proverbs: Short Sayings - Words to the Wise short, highly thought-provoking statements short, highly thought-provoking statements stark, challenging words of Jesus stark, challenging words of Jesus stand on their own stand on their own “If you want to be my follower, take up your cross….”

Sermon on the Mount short sayings collected by Matthew short sayings collected by Matthew contain the Beatitudes – lessons to live by – Kingdom of God contain the Beatitudes – lessons to live by – Kingdom of God fulfilled when God’s reign fulfills people’s deepest needs fulfilled when God’s reign fulfills people’s deepest needs is in our midst is in our midst participate through loving service participate through loving service

The Beatitudes in 2 Gospels - Mt. & Lk. in 2 Gospels - Mt. & Lk. call Christians to call Christians to a life of service and peacemaking a life of service and peacemaking suffer persecution for others suffer persecution for others be merciful be merciful

Matthew

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. The Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-10

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke

The Beatitudes Lk. 6:20-23 Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

Instructions to Disciples The “Our Father” or “Lord’s Prayer” The “Our Father” or “Lord’s Prayer” Formula for prayer Formula for prayer Themes of the Kingdom Themes of the Kingdom In 2 Gospels: Mt. & Lk. In 2 Gospels: Mt. & Lk. Scholars suggest this is a Scholars suggest this is a summary of Jesus’ entire Gospel message summary of Jesus’ entire Gospel message the early church’s attempt to summarize Jesus’ major teachings the early church’s attempt to summarize Jesus’ major teachings

Instructions to Disciples Hard Sayings Hard Sayings “You’ll be hated because of me.” “You’ll be hated because of me.” Comforting Sayings Comforting Sayings “You’re worth more than sparrows.” “You’re worth more than sparrows.”

Parables: from Greek word for comparison stories which build from a simile stories which build from a simile 2 very different things are compared to illustrate a point 2 very different things are compared to illustrate a point

Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep “The kingdom of God is like a shepherd “The kingdom of God is like a shepherd who risked his entire flock for the sake of the lost sheep.”

John’s Gospel: Different Speech Styles from the Synoptic Gospels Highly symbolic & poetic Highly symbolic & poetic Long discourses Long discourses Allegories: complex – everything in them is important “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Allegories: complex – everything in them is important “I am the vine, you are the branches.” “I am” references show a direct “I am” references show a direct relationship between Jesus and God the Father – “I am the bread of life.”

Chapter 7: Jesus Speaks SayingsandStories of the Kingdom CONCEPT C CONCEPT C A Closer Look at the Parables A Closer Look at the Parables

Technique Behind Parables Based on everyday life Based on everyday life Filled with Surprises Filled with Surprises

Themes of Parables Descriptions of King: Descriptions of King: God’s nature, qualities, attitudes with people, etc. attitudes with people, etc.

Themes of Parables Kingdom Responses: Kingdom Responses: How we should act to enter the Kingdom

Themes of Parables Relationship with Neighbors: Relationship with Neighbors: with one another & the world at large the world at large

Themes of Parables Fulfillment FulfillmentofKingdom

Multiple Uses of Parables Jesus may have used the same story more than once to show different points. Jesus may have used the same story more than once to show different points. Gospel authors may simply have differed Gospel authors may simply have differed in which version of the story they chose. Individual Gospel author may have changed the setting of the parable to Individual Gospel author may have changed the setting of the parable to make a point. The sayings & interpretations that end the parables often reflect the early faith community’s answers to Jesus’ questions. The sayings & interpretations that end the parables often reflect the early faith community’s answers to Jesus’ questions.

Understanding Parables Today Look for central message Look for central message Look for the questions presented Look for the questions presented Compare your answers with those in Gospels Compare your answers with those in Gospels

Pronouncement Stories Telling about Jesus’ disciples picking corn on the Sabbath. Telling about Jesus’ disciples picking corn on the Sabbath. Parable of the lost sheep Parable of the lost sheep

Short Sayings Proverbs, such as, “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake... will save it.” Proverbs, such as, “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake... will save it.” Parable of the talents Parable of the talents

Instructions for Disciples Jesus teaching the Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaching the Lord’s Prayer Parable of the unforgiving servant Parable of the unforgiving servant Parable of the Good Samaritan Parable of the Good Samaritan

Parables These often build from a simile, such as, “The Kingdom of God is like...” These often build from a simile, such as, “The Kingdom of God is like...” Parable of the ten bridesmaids Parable of the ten bridesmaids Parable of the great feast Parable of the great feast