Images of Jesus

1. Images of Jesus What was Jesus Trying to Accomplish?

2. Questions To Ask About Jesus • How does Jesus fit into the Judaism of his day? • What were his aims? • Why did he die? • How did the early church come into being, and why did it take the shape it did? • Why are the Gospels what they are? (From: Wright, The Contemporary Quest for Jesus, 40).

3. The Quest for Jesus • Old Quest – Jesus was very much unlike the Judaism of his day, the church’s view of Jesus is not based on history, but an idealistic reconstruction of Jesus’ ministry; no connection between history and faith; his ministry was a failure (1700s – 1900) • No Quest – One can know hardly anything about Jesus since the Gospels were influenced so much by the early Christians and their struggles (1900 – 1950)

4. New Quest – We can know several things about Jesus because the Gospels do contain somehistorical information about Jesus, but we must be very careful in looking for it – most was created by the early Christians (1950- ) • Third Quest – We need to use sociological, archaeological, historical tools (and any other tools available) to study the culture of Jesus’ day and try to put Jesus within the context of the cultural struggles and concerns of his day to have an accurate view Jesus’ message and actions. (1960s -)

5. Many Proposals • Political Revolutionary • Eschatological Prophet • Magician • Essene • Galilean Charismatic (teacher) • Hillelite Rabbi

6. Galilean Rabbi • Itinerant Cynic Teacher • A political prophet opposed to militaristic nationalism and the holiness practiced by the Jewish leaders • Redeemer of Israel from Exile • Prophet attempting to Renew spirituality of Israel

7. Jewish Restoration Theology • Themes of the remnant, restoration of Israel, the New Temple, and a New Jerusalem provide a background to Jesus’ ministry • Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple is viewed by some in this light • Prophesy of the destruction of the Temple so God would build a new perfect Temple

8. Jesus looked for God to destroy evil and evildoers within history • Temple destruction would be the sign • Jesus and his disciples would be the leaders of the new Kingdom

9. Restoring Israel • Is. 52:7-: links three significant concepts: • The herald of salvation • The reign of God • The restoration (redemption) of Israel • Jesus pursues these in his ministry: • Temple cleansing • Attitude toward the Law • Table fellowship with sinners • Choosing 12 disciples • Observance of purity laws

10. Redeemer of Israel from Exile • Israel was still in spiritual exile • Israel was resisting Roman control with the same weapons Rome was using • In resistance Israel was becoming like Rome and loosing her reason for existence – to bring the nations to God • Jesus’ death would be on Israel’s behalf and thus bring Israel back to God so she could be his witness

11. Jesus was trying to bring Israel back to a more spiritual existence • Israel could then be a light to the Gentiles, rather than a conqueror of the nations • Faithfulness to God’s purpose for Israel would require a new movement, a new emphasis within Israel

12. Jesus Within his Jewish World • Issues that divided the Jewish people • Hellenization • Attitude toward the Law of Moses • High priesthood • Response to occupation of the land by outside forces

13. Four Pillars of Judaism • Monotheism • Election – a covenant people, a promised land • Covenant focused in Torah • Land focused in Temple (Dunn, The Parting of the Ways)

14. Jesus’ debates with Jewish religious leaders were focused on these pillars • Jesus’ disagreements were within the acceptable range of debate over the Law • Jesus was not trying to divide his followers from Israel • Eventually, his followers would separate from Israel • However, at some point he went beyond the point of acceptability

15. Areas of Dispute Between Jesus and the Jewish Leaders • Sabbath Observance • Observance of Fool Laws • Election, being the people of God • Temple • Kingdom • Torah, Use of Scripture • Messiah