Two Natures

Jesus was Human: mind and heart  Jesus had friends  Jesus had family  Jesus celebrated with others and talked with others  Jesus had emotions: frustration, anger sadness  Jesus felt frustration, hunger, fatigue and pain  Through Jesus humanness it sanctifies our life  It is a sign of God’s presence in our life  Struggles help us grow in trust and love  Every day is an opportunity for holiness

Jesus was Human: Jewish  Faithful Jew  Obedient to the law  Raised in a Jewish home  Presented in the temple  Celebrated Jewish holidays  Shows knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures

Life in Palestine  Greek influence  Roman occupied (from modern France and Spain to Black Sea and Caspian Sea (NE) to North Africa (S)  Herod the Great-was official at Jesus’ birth  Had good political skills but cruel (massacre of innocents)  Three sons ruled after his death Herod AntipasPhilipArchelaus GalileeNE Palestine Judea/Samaria/Idumea (Jesus hometown)Replaced by an official called a procurator because of lack of skill— Pontius Pilate

Roman Occupancy  Used Roman money  Paid taxes to Rome  Valued violence and militarism  Political and economic oppression  There were no rebellions because Romans could be so cruel and tortured—message deterred opposition  Religion was whatever the religion of the emperor practiced  By the time of Jesus there were several religious practices as well as emperors  Greek (gods and goddesses)  Egyptian (Isis)  Jewish—a minority

Why do we need to know Jesus’ times  Helps us understand stories and connections  Jesus escapes death  Jesus and tax-collectors  Jesus challenging Romans  Jesus reaching out to women and poor

Divinity

Jesus: Lord Lord-comes from OT “I am who am” YHWH- Jewish/ Adonai is readers interpretation which means Lord When translated into Greek Lord is used Kyrios- New testament title to indicate Jesus’ divinity Lord addresses the divine mystery of Jesus

Jesus: Redeemer Roman world A ransom was paid to free a slave Person who paid was called a redeemer Jesus “paid the price” Made salvation possible