The Coming of the MessiahChapter 3

Jesus: Our Hope and Salvation

“I am a historian. I am not a believer. But I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.” H G Wells

Gospel Portraits

Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made throughout the OT to Abraham, Moses, David……

Born in Bethlehem about 4-6 BC

Herod the Great was king

Ceasar Augustus the Roman emperor

Grew up in Nazareth, northern region of Palestine

Father taught him trade of carpentry

Baptized as an adult & became preacher

Crucified under Pontius Pilate about 30-33 AD

Resurrected & ascended to Heaven

Four Gospel Portraits of Jesus

What is a portrait?

What does it mean that the gospels are portraits?

Gospel – means “good news”

4 written accounts:

3 are synoptic – meaning can be looked at together – Matthew, Mark, Luke

Written – Mark (65), Matthew (80), Luke (85), John (90)

Each has specific audience, focus, & image of Jesus

Not biographies but summaries of faith Announce the good news of Jesus Provide an encounter with Jesus Challenge us to believe in Jesus

Mark is shortest; John is most symbolic

Each gospel begins in different way Mark – begins with John the Baptist & his message that

the Messiah is coming John – Refers back to Creation

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Word = Jesus Matthew & Luke – begin with Jesus’ birth, called Infancy

Narratives

Matthew: Includes magi Living in Bethlehem at time of Jesus’ birth Slaughter of Holy Innocents Flight to Egypt Return to Nazareth Star of Bethlehem

Luke: Living in Nazareth & go to Bethlehem for census Born in a manger Shepherd come to welcome/adore Him Returned to Nazareth

Common points between Mt. & Luke Angel foretells Jesus’ birth (though to different people) Jesus is conceived by power of Holy Spirit Born to virgin Mary Joseph was of House of David (fulfilled prophecy) Jesus was born in Bethlehem

Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

80 A.D.

Audience – Jewish Christians

Focus – Jesus is fulfillment of God’s promises to Jewish people Contains more references to OT scriptures than any other

gospel

Image – Jesus as new Moses – giver of new law

Genealogy – links Jesus to Abraham & King David; also women; sinners

Birth of Jesus: result of power of Holy Spirit Joseph plays key role; believes angel; gives Jesus name which

means “God saves”; Joseph saves his family like Joseph in OT saved his family & nation

Visit of Magi Men from other nations – Jesus accepts all people Gold, frankincense, myrrh Their role foreshadows role of disciples (and us) to take gospel

to all nations

Flight into Egypt & Massacre of Innocents Just as Moses gave Law, Jesus gives New Law to disciples

in Sermon on Mount Moses led his people to freedom; Jesus leads all to

freedom from sin and death

Return to Nazareth Jesus’ family leaves Egypt to go to Nazareth Reminds audience of Moses leading people from Egypt

Infancy Narrative in Luke’s gospel

Often considered a two part work; Acts of Apostles is part 2

Third gospel written Matthew & Luke both use Mark as a source Matthew & Luke also use a source not used by Mark which

is referred to as Q (quelle- meaning source) Matthew & Luke also contain material unique to their own

gospels – called M & L

Announcement of John the Baptist’s Birth Zechariah & Elizabeth also had angel tell of their son’s birth Gospel clearly shows Jesus as Messiah John the Baptist is messenger who tells people to prepare the

way; Messiah is coming

Announcement of Jesus’ Birth Gabriel appears to Mary - Annunciation

“I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary cooperates with God’s plan even knowing it could bring her great harm

Immaculate Conception – teaching of church that Mary was born without Original Sin by virtue of the merits of her son

Mary visits Elizabeth Cousins – Mary goes to help her older cousin with birth of

child Elizabeth recognizes the Mary is “mother of my Lord” Mary’s response is called Magnificat – Mary’s prayer of

praise to God for all He has done

Birth of John the Baptist

Birth of Jesus Bethlehem – 6 miles south of Jerusalem Joseph & Mary go because of census – Joseph is from

House of David Born in manger Swaddling clothes – sign of poverty or royalty (Solomon) “First-born son” refers to rights first born had under law of

Moses

Shepherds first to visit because angels announce His birth Shows Jesus comes for all, especially poor, outcast

Jesus’ presentation in Temple Circumcision according to Jewish law Rite of purification – 40 days after birth according to

Mosaic law Offered 2 turtledoves – sign of their poverty Jesus is recognized as Savior by Simeon & Anna

Finding of Jesus in Temple Luke ends Infancy Narrative with return to Nazareth Ordinary life living in obedience to his parents When 12 travels with parents to Jerusalem for Passover

Missing on way home Found in Temple amazing elders with his teaching Response: “Didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s

hosue?” Mary & Joseph do not fully understand

Summary points of Luke’s Gospel

Audience – Gentiles; Christians with Greek background

Focus – Jesus’ love for outcasts of society Key people in stories are poor, sick, blind/lame, women

Image – Jesus as Compassionate/Universal Savior – He comes for everyone

Genealogy – Traces back to Adam; “father” of all humanity not just particular race/religion

Incarnation in the Prologue to John’s Gospel

Gospel begins before beginning of world “In the beginning….

Word of God became human in person of Jesus – Incarnation Literally means _____________________ Is dogma of our faith ; dogma means ____________ Jesus clearly identified as both _______and ________

Purpose of Incarnation

To save us by ________________with God

So we might know God’s ___________ (John 3:16)

To be a model of_______________for us

To make us partakers of the _______________ Christ becomes human so we can be adopted into the

family of God

Protoevangelium – a descendant of Adam & Eve would destroy the power of Satan

Why December 25?

Not until _________that Jesus’ birth officially celebrated on December 25

Romans had a festival at time of winter solstice (Dec. 21) to celebrate sun god By celebrating Son of God at this time it offers key

Christian festival Also celebrating birth of Light of World at darkest time of

year

March 25 already established as _______________; Dec 25 is 9 months later

Learning from the life of Christ

Evangelists wanted to share faith – Gospels are ________________________ – not biographies

Jesus life was revelation of ________________– everything he did & said illustrated God’s love for us

Jesus whole life is a mystery of _______________ Incarnation – his willingness to be less helps us

_____________ Life as child, obedience to his parents – contrasts with our

disobedience Teaches us ways of God so we can guide our conscience

Miracles – he does not leave us when we are suffering, hurting whether physically, spiritually, emotionally

Through death on the cross & resurrection

Every aspect of his life had single purpose – to restore humanity to relationship that God intended for us from beginning

Baptism of Jesus

Linked to John the Baptist

John preached message of____________to prepare for God’s coming judgment;

Baptism was a symbol of that

Other ways to show repentance; change of heart __________________________________ ___________________________________

John compared to ___________

Had many followers who wondered if he was _________ John always clear on his role & that the one who came

later was the one they were waiting for

He was forceful, charismatic leader

Baptized people in ___________________ Place of entry into Promised Land – symbol of freedom By being baptized they showed they were willing to follow

God way ancestors had

Jesus goes to John to be baptized. Why was he? __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

What happens ______________– God coming to his people _______________ – Holy Spirit will be with Jesus Voice – __________________

Theological truths revealed by Jesus’ baptism: Jesus perfectly obeys the Father’s will Foreshadows Jesus death to “wash away” our sin Serves as model for necessity of our own baptism

Temptations of Jesus

All synoptics say Jesus went into desert immediately after _____________and before his _______________

Stayed there 40 days ____________________

Satan put 3 temptations before Him This mirrors temptations of Israelites in desert

First temptation – _____________________ Israelites were hungry and willing to give up freedom for

________________; struggled to trust God Temptation to give in to immediate gratification; easy way Temptation to put physical wants/needs over trust in God

Second temptation – _______________________ Temptation to _________________________ Temptation to give up trust in God when life is difficult

Third temptation – ___________________ Temptation to give in to ____________________ Temptation to worship things other than God

Temptations in His public ministry – prefigured by temptations in desert Give up mission to live life like everyone else Give up mission because it involves too much suffering Give up mission and become King like Jews expected