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Topic 7 Ministry and Message of Jesus. Before the Public Ministry Birth (Mt. 1-2; Lk. 1-2) Mary and Joseph – engaged b ut not sexually consummated Virgin Birth – signals that God is about to act once again Bethlehem – born in David’s hometown; messianic implications
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Topic 7 Ministry and Message of Jesus • Before the Public Ministry • Birth (Mt. 1-2; Lk. 1-2) • Mary and Joseph – engaged but not sexually consummated • Virgin Birth – signals that God is about to act once again • Bethlehem – born in David’s hometown; messianic implications • Nazareth – grew up in obscure peasant village • John the Baptist (Mk. 1:1-8) • Eschatological prophet: repent before the coming judgment. • Forerunner of Messiah: prepares way for “one greater than I.” • Baptism of Jesus (Mk. 1:9-11) • Jesus’ baptism by John is considered historically certain. • Called to prophetic mission as “servant Messiah.” • Empowered by Spirit of God to fulfill that task. • Temptation (Mt. 4:1-11) – 40 days of “testing;” tempted to be a “false messiah” (using short-cut methods to seek worldly power, etc.)
Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8 par.) After John’s arrest, Jesus returned to Galilee; began ministry of a wandering prophet and rabbi. Four main types of activity: • Preaching and teaching – four main themes: • Arrival of “Kingdom of God” (Mk. 1:14-15) • Central theme in Jesus’ teaching. • Final reign of God – when he intervenes to destroy evil, set things right, and redeem his people. (See “apocalyptic eschatology” in BPJM, 77.) • Nearness of Kingdom demands repentance, faith, and right living. • Parable of Mustard Seed (Mk. 4:30-32): Kingdom of God is already present…but not yet in its fullness. • Good news for the needy • Jesus offered hope to the poor, the sick, and the sinners – kingdom of God brings justice, healing, and forgiveness. • Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12; Lk. 4:18-23) confer God’s blessing on the needy who depend on him. • Does not reserve God’s kingdom for the specially righteous but welcomes sinners freely. • Sometimes says directly, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mk. 2:5). • Table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners demonstrates their forgiveness (Mk. 2:14-17). • Parable of Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32) – father’s joyous welcome of wayward son depicts God’s eagerness to forgive sinners who repent.
Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8 par.) – four types of activity: • Preaching and teaching (cont.) • Demand for radical obedience • Obedience must transcend letter of Law (Mt. 5:17-48). • Heart of God’s will is the “double love commandment” – this “Great Commandment” sums up whole Law (Mt. 22:34-40): • Love God with all your heart (quoting Deut. 6:5). • Love neighbor as yourself (quoting Lev. 19:18; cf. Mt. 7:12 – “Golden Rule”). For Jesus, love of God and neighbor are inseparable – neglect of one impairs the other. Together, they fulfill the whole law. • Parable of Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37) – the one who acted like a neighbor was the despised enemy; love of neighbor must include even the enemy. • Fatherhood of God • God knows/supplies our needs (Mt. 6:24-34; 7:7-11). • Privileged to address God as “Abba” – Aramaic child’s word for father – as Jesus did (Mk. 14:36; cf. Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6). • Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) – addresses God as heavenly Father; prays for coming of God’s kingdom on earth, for daily needs, and for forgiveness of sins; acknowledges duty to do God’s will and to forgive others as we want God to forgive us.
Galilee Ministry (Mk. 1-8)– four types of activity (cont): • Gathering disciples • “Disciple” – learner, pupil, follower • Chooses “the Twelve” to gather others into K of G (Mk. 3:13-19). • Chooses not the elite but the ordinary (fishermen), disreputable (tax collector), and a few hotheads (zealot types). • 12 recall tribes of Israel; symbolize mission to restore Israel as renewed people of God. • Disciples not limited to the 12; broader group is even more inclusive – includes women (highly unusual in Jesus’ day). • Later becomes nucleus of Christian church. • Performing miracles • Four types: healings, exorcisms, resuscitations, nature wonders. • Not unique to Jesus. • Do not “prove” claims about Jesus. • Opponents acknowledge Jesus’ miracles but attribute to Satan (3:22-30). • To eyes of faith, miracles are signs of the in-breaking Kingdom of God (Lk. 11:20). • Controversy with religious leaders – issues include: • Forgiving sins (Mk. 2:5, 10-11) • Eating with sinners (Mk. 2:13-17, esp. v. 17) • Sabbath violations (Mk. 2:23- 3:6, esp. 2:27; 3:6) • Ritual purity (Mk. 7:1-23, esp. v. 20-23)
Journey to Jerusalem (Mk. 8:27-10:52) • “Peter’s Confession” at Caesarea Philippi(8:27-33) • Critical turning point in ministry. • Peter: “You are the Messiah/Christ.” • Command to silence and announcement of “Passion” (suffering and death in Jerusalem). • Passion Predictions (8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34) • On way to Jerusalem, Jesus predicts his rejection, suffering, and death three times. • Jesus goes to Jerusalem aware of the danger but willing to die for the cause of God’s kingdom. • Disciples must be willing to follow.
Jerusalem Ministry (Mk. 11-16) Synoptics have Jesus spending one week in Jerusalem – “Passion Week.” • Sunday: Triumphal entry (Mk. 11) – “Palm Sunday” • Rides donkey; given royal welcome; demonstration of Jesus’ “kingship.” • Fulfills “peaceful king” of Zech. 9:9. • Monday: Cleansing the Temple (Mk. 11) • Symbolic attack on corruption of Temple system. • “Last straw”: provokes authorities’ resolve to remove Jesus. • Tuesday: Teaching in the Temple (Mk. 12-13) a. Controversies with religious authorities (Mk. 12). b. Eschatological discourse (Mk. 13)– warns of devastating war; destruction of Temple; promises salvation of faithful. • Wednesday: Spent in Bethany (Mk.14) a. Anointing in Bethany; interpreted in reference to death. b. Conspiracy of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus by informing chief priests of Jesus’ movements.
Traditional House of the Upper Room • In Synoptics, Last Supper is a Passover meal (but not in John). • Disciples sent to prepare meal and find place to eat in Jerusalem. • Gathered in borrowed “upper room” in Jerusalem. • Prediction of Jesus’ betrayal. • Interpretation of bread and wine: “This is my body/blood” (Mk. 14:22-25). • Interprets Jesus’ death as covenant sacrifice. • Jerusalem Ministry (Mk. 11-16) – cont. • Thursday: Last Supper, Betrayal, Arrest (Mk. 14) a. Last Supper
5. Thursday: Last Supper, Betrayal, Arrest (Mk. 14) – cont. b. Gethsemane – olive grove on Mount of Olives; Jesus spends night agonizing in prayer over his impending fate. c. Arrest – Judas leads temple police to the place; identifies Jesus with kiss on cheek; a disciple pulls sword to fight back, but Jesus forbids it; as Jesus is arrested, disciples all abandon him and scatter (Mk. 14:50).
Jerusalem Ministry (Mk. 11-16) – cont. • Thursday: Last Supper, Betrayal, Arrest (Mk. 14) d. Trial before Sanhedrin (Jewish council) • Accused of threatening Temple (doesn’t stick). • Condemned for blasphemy (capital offense under Jewish law; but Rome doesn’t let Sanhedrin execute). e. Peter’s denial – denies Jesus three times. Modern church built on traditional site of Caiaphas’ house. Steps may be first-century.
Jerusalem Ministry (Mk. 11-16) – cont. • Friday: Death of Jesus (Mk. 15) • Trial before Pontius Pilate (Roman governor) • Accused of insurrection, sedition (interrogated about his royal claims). • Pilate’s reluctance to condemn is out of character. • Release of Barabbas (an insurrectionist) - failed attempt to satisfy chief priests by offering to pardon Jesus; they want Barabbas released instead. • Jesus is condemned by Pilate; scourged and mocked by Roman soldiers. • Crucifixion – at “Golgotha” (Calvary) • About 9 a.m.; between two rebels. • Died by 3 p.m. – unusually quickly. • Cosmic signs: darkness, earthquake, tearing of temple veil. • Who killed Jesus? • Wrong to blame “the Jews.” • Historically, executed by Rome as suspected rebel. • Theologically, died for sins of all. • Burial – by Joseph of Arimathea; in a rock-cut tomb; sealed with heavy stone. “Gordon’s Calvary”
7. Saturday: Sabbath – end of the dream? Garden Tomb
Sunday: Resurrection of Jesus – Easter! (Mk. 16; Mt. 28; Lk. 24; Jn. 20-21) • Discovery of the empty tomb – by the women • Women (different group in each gospel) come to anoint Jesus’ body but find tomb empty. • An angel announces that Jesus has been resurrected. • Resurrection appearances • Risen Jesus appears to various disciples either in Galilee (Mk.; Mt.) or in Jerusalem (Lk.) or both (Jn.). • Hard to sequence these stories chronologically. • Great Commission (Mt. 28:16-20) – disciples are sent to “make disciples of all nations.” • Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday morning is celebrated on Easter Sunday. • But also every Sunday – the “Lord’s Day.” Sunday became Christian day of worship in honor of the resurrection.