Jesus of Nazareth The Center and Focus of

Jesus of Nazareth The Center and Focus of Christianity

Jesus – Center and Focus Jesus – not only Founder, but Center and Focus of Christianity. He is the One Who makes God known. He is God Incarnate – in human flesh. A. Jesus reveals God – the will & face of God. Col 1: 15 Jesus “image of God (eikon) icon Heb 1: 3 – “exact representation” (charakter) image likeness on a coin John 14: 9 – Jesus “seen Me, seen God”

Jesus (continued) B. Jesus – Ground of salvation, makes a new relationship w/ God possible. Savior Mt. 1: 21; Lk 2: 11; Acts 4: 12, Heb. 2; 10 ICHTHUS – Meaning Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior Jesus = God saves (Yeshua) Christ – title Messian

Jesus – Center & Focus C. Model of the redeemed life – lives out a God-focused life which Xns are to model. Life- Teachings, Miracles, Healings, Death and Resurrection.

Jesus and the Gospels – euangelion “good news” message Written in common Greek (koine) language Matthew (Jewish) kingdom of heaven 75 -90 AD Luke (Gentile) kingdom of God 80 - 95 AD Mark (first written gospel) 64 – 70 AD John (more reflective) 90 AD

Jesus and Israel Continuity between OT/NT – Xnity seen as a fulfillment of Judaism. Matthew – 12 Scriptures – fulfillment of OT prophecy in the life of Christ (1: 22; 2: 15. 23; 3: 15, 4: 14; 5: 17; 8: 17; 12: 17; 13; 14, 335; 21: 4; 27: 9) Other OT passages fulfilled in the life of Jesus Ps 22; Isaiah 52: 13 – 53: 12: Crucifixion of Christ

Jesus and Jewish Groups Samaritans, Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots & Essenes Samaritans Beginnings – Assyrian overthrow the Northern Kingdom in 722 B. C. Assyrians and the Jews living there began to marry one another, have families (half Jew, half Gentile) resulting in the Samaritan race, intertwined religious and cultural practices, etc. Hated by the Jews of the Southern Kingdom (Israel) regarded as outsiders, even though they shared some common religious beliefs. Scandalous story – Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4)

Jesus and Jewish Groups Sadducees Began after the Maccabean revolt in 167 BC Antiochus Epiphanes slaughtered a pig in the Temple. Judas Maccabee (Hammer) led revolt. Temple restored. Hanukkah (lights) began. Sadducees – conservative party – Pentateuch only authoritative. Aristocratic in league with Roman officials. allowed some semblance of religious authority/autonomy.

Jesus and Jewish Groups Pharisees (Separated Ones) physically & spiritually Law (Torah, Pentateuch, etc. ) is evolving, rather than static, adapting the Law to new situations faced by Judaism. Accepted doctrines not explicitly stated in the Law, such as the resurrection from the dead. Torah (Law) and tradition = fidelity to the Law as interpreted by the scribes, official teachers of the Law. 6000 Pharisees at the time of Jesus, influence far greater than their number.

Jesus and Jewish Groups Essenes Religious purity, formed communities out in the desert. Dead Sea scrolls detailed the belief and practice of the Essenes. Zealots political radicals “terrorists” who mainly sought a violent overthrow of the Roman government. 66 – 70 AD. Uprising squashed by Rome in 70 AD.

Life of Jesus – His Birth – recorded in Matthew and Luke. Matthew – standpoint of Joseph; Luke - Mary Date of Birth 8 – 4 BC. (Dec 25 th probably not birthday. Chosen to replace a Roman holiday. Matthew – Bethlehem – birthplace, fulfillment of OT prophecy, Wise Men’ gifts, importance of Mary Luke humility & lowliness of circumstances of Jesus’ birth. Manger, Shepherds – 1 st visitors, marginalized Joseph at no point called the father of Jesus, though Mary is called the mother of Jesus. Virgin birth (conception).

Public Ministry of Jesus Beginnings John the Baptist –forerunner (Mk. 1) baptized Jesus in the wilderness 40 days & nights – temptation by Satan. Jesus’ inaugural sermon (Luke 4: 18 -19) Disciples/followers – 12

Jesus and Women Affirmed by Jesus. Women witnesses to His crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus welcomed women in his inner circle. Jesus’ meeting with the woman at the well (John 4). In contrast to a Jewish male prayer, thanking God he was not born a woman. Women considered as second class citizens, property.

Teachings of Jesus: Parables of the Kingdom of God – God’s rule and reign in the lives of humanity. Kingdom emphasis is on expectation. In the kingdom, physical wholeness – no disease In the kingdom, relational wholeness – community, church, Israel In the kingdom, spiritual wholeness – forgiveness of sins. Kingdom of God is both present and future.

Teachings of Jesus Mk. 1: 15 Kingdom of God has drawn near. Time is fulfilled. Sermon On The Mount (Matthew 5 – 7) a Christian lifestyle based upon one’s repentance from sin and trust in Jesus as Lord. Mt 5: 3 -12 – Beatitudes, Matt. 6: 9 – 13 – Lord’s Prayer. Matt. 6: 19 -34 – Seeking God’s rule first in your life. High demands made possible by God’s grace One must repent and receive.

Teachings of Jesus Two Greatest Commandments Love God w/ all your heart, soul, mind & strength Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus’ preaching about the kingdom of God is understood in terms of inauguration. Something has happened which sets in motion a series of events which has yet to reach its fulfillment. From the smallest to the greatest.

Teachings of Jesus’ Parables Illustrate a spiritual truth to be learned and lived. A mystery, a riddle Parable of the Mustard Seed Matt. 13: 31 -32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Luke 15: 11 – 32 The father sees the returning son long before the son notices the father and the father rushes out to meet his prodigal son. (Unheard of in Jesus’ day). Truth is an example of God’s mercy. Christianity is not just what Jesus taught, but who He is. And why He is so important. Now, look at his meaningful moments in life, crucifixion and resurrection and ascension.