✝️Intro to Christianity Unit 3 – Jesus Christ: Person and Work

Who Was Jesus?

• Jesus, also known as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth, was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who lived in the first century CE
• Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth in Galilee
• Little is known about Jesus' childhood and early life
• Jesus began his public ministry around the age of 30, after being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River
• He selected twelve disciples to follow him, learn from his teachings, and spread his message
• Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and repentance
• His teachings often challenged the religious authorities of his time (Pharisees and Sadducees)

Historical Context

• Jesus lived during the Second Temple period, when Judea was under Roman rule
• The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah who would free them from Roman oppression and establish a new kingdom
• Religious life centered around the Temple in Jerusalem, where sacrifices were performed and festivals celebrated
• Jewish society was divided into several groups, including Pharisees (emphasized strict observance of the law), Sadducees (aristocratic priests), and Essenes (ascetic community)
• The Sanhedrin, a Jewish council of religious leaders, held significant authority in Jewish society
• Greco-Roman culture had a strong influence on the region, with Greek being a common language and Roman law governing daily life
• Tensions between Jewish religious identity and Roman rule were high, occasionally leading to revolts and uprisings

Key Teachings and Parables

• Jesus taught using parables, short stories illustrating moral or spiritual lessons
• The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains many of Jesus' core teachings, including the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer
• Jesus emphasized the importance of love, both for God and for one's neighbor
• He taught about forgiveness, instructing his followers to forgive others as God forgives them
• The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) teaches the importance of showing compassion to all people, regardless of their background
• Jesus stressed the need for repentance and turning away from sin
• The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates God's love and forgiveness for those who repent
• Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, describing it as a spiritual reality that was both present and future

Miracles and Ministry

• The Gospels record numerous miracles performed by Jesus, demonstrating his divine power and authority
• Jesus healed the sick, including lepers (Luke 5:12-16), the blind (John 9:1-41), and the paralyzed (Mark 2:1-12)
• He cast out demons, freeing people from spiritual oppression (Mark 5:1-20)
• Jesus performed nature miracles, such as calming a storm (Mark 4:35-41) and walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33)
• He fed large crowds with minimal resources, as in the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)
• Jesus raised the dead, most notably Lazarus (John 11:1-44), demonstrating his power over life and death
• These miracles were signs of Jesus' divine identity and the coming of God's kingdom
• Jesus' ministry focused on preaching, teaching, and healing, often reaching out to the marginalized and oppressed in society

The Crucifixion

• Jesus' teachings and actions led to conflict with religious leaders, who saw him as a threat to their authority
• Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, betrayed him to the religious authorities
• Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and brought before the Sanhedrin
• The religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God
• Jesus was then brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, who found no fault in him
• However, pressured by the crowd and religious leaders, Pilate sentenced Jesus to crucifixion
• Jesus was mocked, beaten, and forced to carry his cross to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion
• He was crucified between two criminals, with a sign above his head reading "King of the Jews"
• Jesus died on the cross after several hours, with his last words recorded as "It is finished" (John 19:30)

Resurrection and Its Significance

• After Jesus' death, his body was placed in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea
• On the third day, women followers of Jesus discovered the tomb empty
• Jesus appeared to his disciples and many others over a period of 40 days, proving his resurrection
• The resurrection demonstrates Jesus' victory over sin and death, confirming his divine identity
• It is the foundation of Christian faith, as it validates Jesus' teachings and promises
• The resurrection gives hope to believers, assuring them of eternal life and a future resurrection
• It also serves as a sign of God's power and love, demonstrating his plan for the redemption of humanity
• The resurrection is celebrated by Christians on Easter Sunday, the most important feast in the Christian calendar

Jesus in Christian Theology

• Christian theology affirms that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, a doctrine known as the Incarnation
• Jesus is believed to be the second person of the Trinity, along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit
• As the Son of God, Jesus is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father
• Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are central to the Christian understanding of salvation
• Through his death on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity, making reconciliation with God possible
• Jesus is seen as the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system
• His resurrection demonstrates his victory over sin and death, offering hope and new life to believers
• Jesus is believed to be the mediator between God and humanity, the only way to the Father (John 14:6)
• Christian theology also affirms Jesus' role as the head of the Church, which is seen as his body on earth

Impact on World History and Culture

• Jesus' life and teachings have had a profound impact on world history and culture
• Christianity, which emerged from Jesus' followers, is the world's largest religion, with over 2 billion adherents
• Christian values and ethics have shaped Western civilization, influencing art, literature, music, and philosophy
• The calendar used by much of the world today is based on the presumed year of Jesus' birth (AD/CE)
• Christian missionaries have spread the message of Jesus globally, leading to the growth of the Church in diverse cultures
• Jesus' teachings on love, forgiveness, and compassion have inspired countless individuals to work for social justice and human rights
• The example of Jesus' life and his sacrificial love has motivated many to serve others and dedicate their lives to humanitarian causes
• Jesus' parables and teachings continue to be studied and applied in various fields, such as ethics, psychology, and leadership