Unit 3 Lecture 2 Jesus: Life and Teaching

There are few figures in history as compelling or who have had as big an impact as Jesus of Nazareth.

For Christians, Jesus is the God incarnate – the Son of God. The word incarnation refers to God becoming a human being in Jesus.

Jesus was born around 6 – 4 B.C. in Bethlehem.

He grew up in Nazareth. Nazareth was a small town in Galilee, probably of no more than 500 people. It was not far from Sepphoris, a major Roman city.

Jesus grew up a devout Jew, worshipping at the temple, and learning the scriptures.

Jesus lived in a region under Roman rule. There were many different Jewish responses to this rule.

Some went along with it: The Sudducees

Some responded by becoming deeply religious, trying to follow the law completely: The Pharisees

Some left the world completely: The Essenes

And some wanted violent revolution: The Zealots

This milieu deeply effected Jesus and the early church.

The Major Events in Jesus’ Life Birth: Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph, the carpenter. We know very little about his childhood.

Jesus’ baptism At around age 30, Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

“You are my beloved Son…” And then Jesus goes to the desert for 40 days, and is tempted by Satan.

Jesus is called many titles: Two important ones are Messiah, and Son of God. Messiah means anointed, and Son of God reveals Jesus’ deep and unique relationship with God.

Jesus returns and begins his ministry. He teaches, tells parables, and heals.

The kingdom of God is the center of Jesus’ ministry. He teaches about it, and acts in out in his healings and miracles.

Jesus’ teaching: The Sermon on the Mount

The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3) Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4) Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5) Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7) Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9) Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

You are the light of the world. You are the salt of the earth.

You have heard it said… Jesus takes traditional teachings and asks his followers to deepen and internalize them. This is about metanoia – changing your mind and heart.

Matthew 5: Turn the other cheek…

Jesus’ teachings are about complete trust in a God who loves unconditionally. He is a spiritual teacher who uses stories to teach.

The Parables There are many famous parables in the Gospels: The Good Samaritan The Mustard Seed The Prodigal Son The Sower The 99 Sheep and the 1 Lost The Hidden Treasure

Parables are short and powerful stories to reveal something about the Kingdom of God Let’s look at two: Matthew 25: 1 – 13 Matthew 25:

Jesus calls disciples to share in his ministry. Disciple means to be taught, to follow. He also chooses 12 apostles to lead the community, and sends them out to spread the Gospel.

Twelve Apostles Simon Peter. Andrew his brother. James son of Zebedee. John his brother. Philip. Bartholomew. Thomas. Matthew. James son of Alphaeus. Thaddeus. Simon the Cananean. Judas Iscariot.

He teaches his disciples how to pray: The Our Father is the prayer of Jesus.

The Miracles of Jesus Jesus was a healer and miracle worker of great renown. He heals the blind, the lame, lepers, people who are thought to be dead, and paralytics. He raises Lazarus from the dead. And he heals many people of demons.

He also performs miracles: The feeding of the 5000 Walking on the water

The Wedding at Cana John 2: 1-11 This is Jesus’ first “sign” in John. It is a symbol of God’s desire for human happiness, and God’s commitment to humanity.

The Transfiguration

Jesus understands that he will be rejected and will suffer and die.

He travels to Jerusalem, and enacts a prophetic action in the temple.

It is likely this act that brings him to the attention of the Roman authorities.

The night before he dies, Jesus eats a last Passover meal with his disciples. It is here that the Eucharist begins.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. He is preparing them to understand what he is doing in his death. His death will be an act of love for them, and for all.

This is what we mean by calling Jesus savior: His death is salvific because it is the loving act of God, pouring himself out, even to the point of death, for us. Philippians 2

That night, Jesus goes with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane He prays that this cup might pass him, but that God’s will should be done.

He is arrested, tortured, and then crucified.

Crucifixion was a punishment that was meant to terrorize the local community. A Roman citizen could not be crucified.

Jesus is abandoned by everyone. He dies on the cross. The veil at the center of the temple is torn in two. Why? Because at his death, God is utterly revealed.

He is laid in a tomb. Two days later, some women followers come to anoint him. The tomb is opened, and is empty.

The Resurrection is not simply Jesus brought back to life. He really died, so the resurrection is God somehow transcending death.

The Jesus who appears to his followers still has the wounds of the crucifixion.

This is what we call the Paschal Mystery: That Jesus’ death and resurrection is God’s saving act.

The Walk to Emmaus Luke 24

Jesus ascends into heaven. (The Ascension) He commissions the disciples, and promises to send them the Spirit.

Terms to remember: 1)Incarnation 2)Salvation 3)Resurrection 4)Ascension 5)Paschal Mystery

Some theological insights: Jesus is the Son of God, the union of the divine and the human. The relationship of Jesus and God is what we call the Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit. (Lover, Beloved, and Love)

Jesus is the savior of the world Jesus’ life and teaching are salvific – meaning that to follow Jesus means to enter deeply into life, and to be saved from the things that destroy life: Sin, violence, despair, etc.