1 / 16

Infancy Narratives

Infancy Narratives. Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Matthew’s Theology. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ birth is the climax of God’s long history with Israel Jesus epitomizes all of Israel’s history Epitomize = to be an perfect example, or ideal representation, of something

bethan
Download Presentation

Infancy Narratives

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Infancy Narratives Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

  2. Matthew’s Theology • Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ birth is the climax of God’s long history with Israel • Jesus epitomizes all of Israel’s history • Epitomize = to be an perfect example, or ideal representation, of something • Many Old Testament references are used • To show that Jesus fulfills the expectations of the Jewish Messiah

  3. Annunciation TO Joseph • Mt 1 : 18-25 • Joseph is instructed to name Jesus • Why? • By law, it makes Joseph the legal father of Jesus • Significance? • It affirms the Davidic descent of Jesus

  4. Story of the Magi • Matthew’s agenda is reinforced in this story • 1. “star from the east” • This recalls the oracle of David in Numbers 24 • 2. Magi find Jesus “in a house” • This implies that Joseph and Mary were residents of Bethlehem, not Nazareth • -David lived in Bethlehem • 3. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh • Used at the burial of a king • -One of the Jewish requirements was that the Messiah might be a king • Also represents King, Priest, and Prophet • -Messiah was believed to be either a king, high priest, or a prophet

  5. Old Testament References • Matthew’s birth narrative constantly references figures from Israel’s history (ex. – Moses, Joseph, and, of course, David) • 1. Flight to Egypt • Recalls Joseph’s escape from his brothers into Egypt • 2. Return “out of Egypt” recalls Moses leading Israel back into the Promised Land • 3. Massacre of the Innocents • This is when Herod ordered all male children under 2 to be killed • It parallels Pharaoh’s killing of the newborn Hebrew males in Exodus

  6. Fulfillment Passages • Throughout the Gospels (especially Matthew’s Gospel) dozens of OT prophecies are shown to be fulfilled by Jesus • Some examples include: • Mt. 1 : 22-23 - Immanuel born of a virgin (Isaiah 7) • Mt. 2 : 5-6 - Coming of shepherd from Bethlehem (Micah 5) • Mt. 2 :15 - God’s son called out of Egypt (Hosea 11 : 1-4) • Mt. 2 : 17-18 - Rachel’s lamentation for her children (Jeremiah 31) • Mt. 2 : 23 - One who shall be called a Nazorean (Judges 13 : 5)

  7. Luke’s theology • Jesus is the bringer of peace between Israel and Gentile nations • Luke also shows concern for the poor and lowly • Some features of the birth narrative also reveal Luke’s agenda of showing the Romans that Christianity is not a threat to the Empire (though the majority are found in the Passion Narrative)

  8. Luke’s Style • Unlike Matthew, Luke rarely uses “fulfillment passages” • Instead his narrative echoes episodes from the Old Testament • Ex. : Zechariah and Elizabeth having a child in their old age… • What OT story does this parallel? • Abraham and Sarah in Genesis

  9. The Birth • Reveals Luke’s agenda: • Mary and Joseph travel from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem • Why? • To enroll in the census • Significance for Luke’s agenda? • It shows a law-oriented Roman audience that Mary and Joseph are law abiding citizens • 2. Announcement to the Shepherds • Angel uses three titles to refer to Jesus • 1. Savior – rescue his people • 2. Christ – Anointed One, successor of David • 3. Lord – sits at God’s right hand • Thus, Jesus is the Messiah

  10. The birth • Luke’s concern for the poor also shows in the birth narrative: • “swaddling cloths” (also links Jesus to Solomon – Wisdom of Solomon 7 : 3-6) • also foreshadows his death • the placing of the child in a manger • A manger was a feeding trough • portrays shepherds as first to learn of the birth • Shepherds were generally viewed as poor and outcast • Luke’s Jesus is clearly to be found among Israel’s lowly.

  11. Canticles • 3 canticles are written into Luke’s Birth Narrative: • The Canticles were early Jewish-Christian songs of praise modeled after the psalms • (1.) Magnificat(“[My soul] magnifies”) Lk 1 : 46-55 • -Echoes the “Song of Hannah” in 1 Samuel 2 : 1-10 • -It also shows concern for the poor, a theme found throughout Luke’s Gospel • (2.) Benedictus(“Blessed”) Lk 1 : 68-79 • - The Benedictus expresses both an early Jewish christologyand Luke’s belief that Jesus is the bringer of peace between Israel and the Gentile nations. • (3.) NuncDimittis(“Now you dismiss”) Lk 2 : 29-32 • -Simeon’s first prophecy weaves several themes from Isaiah into a declaration that the child is important for the whole world.

  12. Presentation in the temple • As with previous scenes echoing OT stories, the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple recalls Samuel and his presentation to the priest Eli by his mother Hannah. • This scene, then, asserts that the child is destined to fulfill God’s promise that all the nations will benefit from the light that will shine from Israel. • --This passage also shows that the Holy Family observed Jewish Law • Sacrificing two turtle doves shows Jesus’ family was poor

  13. Finding in the temple • Significant because: • (1.) It shows Christ is aware of His identity and mission • (2.) It shows Christ is comfortable in the Temple (his Father’s house) and well educated in Jewish law • (3.) It shows Christ’s obedience

More Related