Jesus’ Teachings: Messianic and Kingdom

Christianity

Life of Christ and Origins of the Christian Faith

Significance of Christianity • Longest lasting

significant Change to Western Civilization and its world view:– Moral, Religious, Political – Military, Economic, Social

• New Source of:– Unity & Community– Faith– Purpose & Mission– Organization– Power

• Changes: Morality of Human life, equality of men and women; sexual morality; charity; altruism; hospitals; universal education; political liberty; slavery.

• Reconciliation with God

Who Was Jesus?

Jesus according to MuslimsCalled Isa عیسىbeloved and important prophets and the Messiah. Jesus was born to the virgin Mary, by the will of Allah and for this reason is referred to as Isa ibn

Maryam Jesus lived a perfect life of nonviolence, showing kindness to humans and animals without

material possessions, and abstaining from sin. Most believe that Jesus abstained from alcohol, and from eating animal flesh. Jesus could perform miracles, but only by the will of Allah.

Muslims do not believe Jesus was divineMuslims also do not believe in Jesus' sacrificial role.

They generally believe that Jesus did not die on the cross. (Swoon)Islam does not accept any human sacrifice for sin Regarding the crucifixion, "yet they did not slay him, neither crucified him, only a likeness of that was shown to them." (Qur'an 4:157-158)

Some traditions say Christ was replaced by a double.Some Muslims believe that Jesus will return to the world in the flesh and will descend at Damascus, once the world has become filled with sin, deception, and injustice; he will then live out the rest of his natural life.

Jesus According to Most Jews “Followers of Judaism reject the belief that Jesus was

the MessiahHe did not fit the traditional qualifications and consider

him one of the false prophets of which the Hebrew Bible warns in Deuteronomy 13, Some believe his

appearance was a test by God. “Judaism maintains that there were no prophets after

the prophet Malachi. Some followers of Judaism do not completely reject all

of the historical information contained in Gospels, but do reject all of the confessions by early Christian

adherents, particularly those of Paul.”

Jesus According to Christians

Orthodox Christians hold to the context of the Nicene Creed

Jesus is both the Son of God and God made incarnate. He provides reconciliation with God by being a propitiation

for humanity's sins. Acceptance of Jesus as redeemer saves one from sin (John 3:16).

Christians’ general beliefs: Jesus was born of a virgin, crucified and buried, resurrected after three days of

death, and now resides at the "right hand" of God the Father. He will return a second time.

Sources • New Testament Gospels

– History, theology, apology– Example, Book of John

• Pauline Letters• Gnostic Texts (Gospel of Judas, Gospel of Mary, Gospel

of Peter)• The Roman Historian Josephus (37-100 AD)• The Roman Historian Tacitus in 112 AD• Suetonius, Emperor Hadrian’s Court historian, (ca 100)

confirms Jesus’ life• Thallus, (52AD) wrote about the darkness that

descended onto Palestine after Jesus’ death on the Cross, showing that knowledge about this was well-known.

• Jewish Talmud written between 100 and 500 confirms Jesus’ supernatural deeds, but attributes them to sorcery.

Religious Theology and CultureEventually: H Richard Niehbur’s 5 types

• A theology may not change, but its practice must respond to cultural pressures– Theology is manifested in culture (actions versus belief)

• A Structure: H Richard Neihbur’s 5 types:1. Christ against Culture; Culture is sinful and in need of

redemption; Christianity supersedes culture.

2. Christ of Culture: Christianity & culture are syncretistic; best of both should be joined.

3. Christ above Culture: culture is good, but to be best, it needs to include Chr. Truth, revelation, education.

4. Christ transforming culture: Puritans: “Citty on a hill.”

5. Christ and Culture in Paradox: There is a tension, and God has ordained the need to be “in the world but not of it,”

Niehbur Chart

What Did Jesus Look Like?

Jesus’ Birth and Early LifeSources: • Born 4-7 BC; in Bethlehem• Mary and Joseph Parents• Recall the Christmas Story.

• Many Prophesies related to describe the birth of the Messiah.

• Flees to Egypt during Archalaus’ Reign • Raised in Nazareth, a backwards area son of a

“craftsman” (Tekton) not necessarily a carpenter• Nazareth was a center of the militant Zealots and

close to large Roman city of Caesarea • Half-brother James

Jesus Ministry (26-30 A.D.) • Overview Primary Source: Mark CH 1• Jesus was an Itinerant preacher

– Gathered Apostles, disciples & followers• Beth sefer, beth midrash, talmedim

– Miraculous healings, feedings, phenomena– Rabbinical teaching

– Authoritative and new teaching– Jewish in message, context, symbolism and focus

– Baptism, Torah, Repentance, obedience, orthopraxy• Movement away from this will characterize the church in the

2nd-5th centuries• Today, a return to “Jewishness” and context

• Unexpected Death

Mark Ch 1• Mark 1 New International Version (NIV)• John the Baptist Prepares the Way• 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:• “I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way”[c]—3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’”[d]

• 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”

• The Baptism and Testing of Jesus• 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit

descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”• 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted[g] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.• Jesus Announces the Good News• 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the

good news!”• Jesus Calls His First Disciples• 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send

you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.• 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee

in the boat with the hired men and followed him.• Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit• 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one

who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

• 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.• 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News

about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.• Jesus Heals Many• 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told

Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.• 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.

He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.• Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place• 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and

when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”• 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their

synagogues and driving out demons.• Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy• 40 A man with leprosy[h] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”• 41 Jesus was indignant.[i] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.• 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your

cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Jesus Teachings: Messianic and Kingdom Christianity

Overview of Jesus’ Teachings from the Gospels

• Jesus began his public ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing soon after he was baptized by John the Baptist.

• Three separate Passovers = three years of Ministry• Because he made extensive use of paradox, metaphor and

parable, it is sometimes unclear how literally he wished to be taken and precisely what he meant.

• Jesus’ miracles ranged from cures to exorcisms, with several others that showed a dominion over nature- Walking on water, feeding 5,000 people etc.– Scholars in mainstream Christian traditions as well as many secular scholars

view these as claims of supernatural power. – Scholars employing various methods of higher criticism have sought to

explain Biblical events without recourse to supernatural occurrences, such as explaining the text as allegory, or changed after the fact.

• Jesus generally opposed stringent interpretations of Jewish law, preaching a more flexible understanding of the law.

Jesus’ Moral (Kingdom) Teachings• Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7)

– Give willingly (Carry the soldier’s load two miles)– Forgive your enemies and pray for them – Love your enemies;

• Contrast with Roman gravitas, & clemencia and violence in the empire: kill your enemies

– Not enough to not do evil things, don’t even think evil thoughts• “Who can do this?”

– Take no revenge; no eye for an eye.

• Radical teachings about women– Contrast with Greco-Roman treatment of women

• As disciples (Mary, Mary Magdelene, His ½ sister)• As friends, prostitutes, tax collectors• As co-workers and laborers

Jesus’ Moral (Kingdom) Teachings-2

• Equality of lepers, women, soldiers, prostitutes, sick, tax collectors– No distinction: Jews, Greeks, Slaves, Women, Children

• Teaching of repentance, sin and devotion to God• One’s behavior is not as important as the inward

condition. The outward reveals the inward.– Contrasts with both Judaism and Roman Paganism– This message is very divisive and confrontational

The Theology of Messiahship• Jesus offered miracles as proof that he was the fulfillment of OT prophets

– “The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead rise…” (Lk 7)

• Proclaims Himself to be God on numerous occasions– “I Am” in Mk 6:45-52; Jn 8:58; “Son of Man” from Daniel 7:13-14.– He acts like God: He forgives sins, He accepts prayer and worship, He performs

miracles, he makes prophetic foretelling statements.• Not a cultural or earthly Messiah; something different

– The local Jewish religious order was not expecting this» His teaching and behavior threatens Jewish leadership» Pharisees did not deny the miracles, but attributed them to sorcery» His miracles confirmed his authority for many

• The “Suffering Servant” vs. the “Conquering King”– His teaching that the Messiah will “come again” is a new interpretation of the OT

• This proclamation of Messiahship recalls Jeremiah’s “New Covenant” prophecy.» Christians will support this by reference to OT scriptures» “Messianic Jews” accept this .The majority of Jews will reject this.

Contemporary Responses to Jesus’ Claims: John Chapter 7-

• Vs12:– 1. – 2.

• Vs 15– 3.

• Vs 20– 4.

• Vs 26– 5.

• Vs 31– 6.

• Vs 40– 7.

• Vs 41– 8. – 9.

• Vs 46– 10.

Jesus’ Final Days

• ~33 AD: Sunday before Passover: entered Jerusalem and symbolically proclaimed his Messiahship

– Last Supper (Passover Seder)– Consequent conflict with religious and Roman authorities.

• Within five days: betrayed, arrested, accused of blasphemy (Sadducees) and sedition (Pilate)

• Tried, judged and crucified, died• Jesus’ death united Sadducees and Pharisees with a

common enemy.

The Final Passover (Last Supper)• Source: John Chs 13-17; Matthew Ch. 26

– Jesus predicts his death– Jesus predicts his return (2nd Coming)– Jesus proclaims the “New Covenant”

• Recall the Jeremiah Prophecy

• Role of the Prophet 3:30:40

His Messianic Message:Claims to be the Messiah

a) Self-identification with the sacrificial Passover Lambb) The “Cup after dinner” identifies himself as the redeemer of

Israel.c) Disciples only realize this laterd) Matthew 26 is source for thise) Teaching the need to convert others and “spread the news”

a) Key text is Matthew 28: 18-20b) Disciples obey this by traveling to other placesc) This will become the basis for evangelism

3. Teaching about the imminent end of the current era of historya) An apocalyptic preacher bringing a message about the

imminent end of the world the Jews knewb) Judgment, rewards and hope for the future

Passover becomes the Catholic “Mass” and Protestant “Communion”

The Trial• Jesus is a religious threat to

both the Sadducees and the Pharisees

• Two charges: – Blasphemy (Lk 22:66-71)

– Sedition (Lk 23:5 and Jn 19:12)

• Pilate finds Jesus guilty of Sedition– Orders him Crucified

Crucifixion John 19:17-42 Standard means of execution

for criminals Capital punishment held by Romans Not used for citizens Brutal deterrence Painful, Ignominious and lingering Death Judas likely anticipated a political messiah and was

disillusioned with the suffering servant Jesus’ death united Sadducees and Pharisees with

a common enemy.

The Resurrection( Based on the Gospel accounts John Ch 20-21 and others)

• Jesus' disciples encountered him again on the third day after his death, resurrected. – No one was a witness of the actual resurrection event.– All Gospels report that women who went to anoint the body found the tomb empty. – Various accounts of Jesus meeting people over the next forty days before "ascending

into heaven".

• The Gospels report various “proofs” or “apologies” for Jesus’ resurrection: – Empty tomb, appearances immediately and thereafter, changes in the disciples,

Pentecost, the presence of women at the tomb, the execution of the Roman guard.

• In addition to the Gospels, the Resurrection is mentioned briefly again in Acts. In Galatians Paul makes special mention of Jesus' appearance to him after his resurrection, as well as referring or assuming the resurrection took place in his other epistles. (i.e. 1 Cor 15: 3-8)

• The Resurrection becomes the central apologetic for the Christian faith.

Significance of the Resurrection:• The Resurrection is the essence of the Jesus sect

1. The Resurrection created key beliefs or presuppositions that were basic to the life of the early church.

2. Early Christians believed that Christianity depended on the truth of the Resurrection

• Paul: 1 Corinthians 15: 12-19

• 1st C. Christians (Messianic Jews) now begin to believe the following:

1. The Resurrection validated Jesus’ message and ministry, all that He taught and did.

2. This is an historical event and it established Christianity as a religion different from Judaism and paganism.

3. Jesus is more than human, He is divine. Validates the authority of His teachings and miracles. Taught as one with authority.

4. Validates Jesus claims to be savior, (Messiah) and fulfillment of the OT Scriptures

5. Death is not the final end 6. Provides power, motivation and life to the early church.

On What Basis will a New Movement Begin?Christians will later appeal to four categories of evidences

to attest to the qualifications of Jesus’ claims : Apologetics

1. Miracles: Healings, Feeding 5000, Raising the Dead, Walking on water, etc

2. Changed lives and the testimony of people who will assert that Jesus changed them. These will be called “apologists” in the following centuries.

3. The eyewitnesses to Jesus and those who engaged him

4. Fulfilled Messianic Prophecies