Jesus and the Church

Atonement

1. Means God’s desire to make up for human sin

2. God fulfills this by sending His Son (Jesus) into the world to die for us

The Gospels

1. The Gospels are the main source of information about Jesus

2. They are like biographies of Jesus’ life

The 4 Gospels

1. Matthew

2. Mark

3. Luke

4. John

Matthew

• Focus: Jesus as a teacher

• Written around 80–90 AD (possibly earlier version ~50 AD)

• Written by Matthew (one of the 12 apostles)

Mark

• Written around 60 AD

• Focus: Jesus’ suffering

• Got information from Saint Peter (Mark was his assistant)

Luke

• Written around 80 AD

• Focus: Jesus’ love for sinners

• Likely a doctor

• Got information from Saint Paul

John

• Focus: Jesus is God

• Written by John (an apostle)

• Present at Jesus’ death

Why the Gospels Are Important

• Written by:

  • Eyewitnesses, OR

  • People who knew eyewitnesses

• This makes the information trustworthy and relatable

Message of Jesus

Main message: The Kingdom of God/ Love God/ Love your neighbor

What is the Kingdom of God?

• God’s dream/plan for our lives

• Living the way God wants

• Doing His will

• Goal: Heaven

Why was jesus killed?

he was killed because of Political reason and Religious reasons

Political Reasons

• Seen as a threat by Roman leaders

• People thought He might start a revolution

• Jewish leaders feared Roman punishment if Jesus gained power

Religious Reason

• Jesus claimed to be God (blasphemy)

• Christians believe:

  • He died to take away our sins

The Last Supper & Death of Jesus

• Happened on Holy Thursday

• Jesus:

  • Ate with His apostles

  • Turned bread and wine into His body and blood → Origin of the Eucharist

After the Supper

• Went to Garden of Gethsemane

• Betrayed by Judas

• Arrested

Two Trails

1. Jewish Trial

   • Accused of blasphemy (claiming to be God)

2. Roman Trial (Pontius Pilate)

   • Pilate did not want to kill Him

   • Gave in to pressure

   • Jesus was:

     • Whipped

     • Crucified

     • Died after about 3 hours

• Buried in a tomb

Resurrection of Jesus what happened?

• Women went to the tomb → Jesus was gone

• Jesus appeared to His followers

Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection

1. Apostles’ Willingness to Die

• Almost all apostles were killed for their belief

• If it was fake, why risk their lives?

2. Their Transformation

• Before: Afraid and hiding

• After: Boldly preaching in public

• Something powerful must have happened

3. Their Claims

• Said they:

  • Saw Jesus

  • Touched Him

  • Ate with Him

Scientific Claim: Shroud of Turin

• Cloth believed to have wrapped Jesus’ body

• Shows an image of a man (Jesus)

• Studied by scientists (including NASA)

• Findings:

  • Not a painting

  • Appears 3D

  • Image formed in a way science cannot fully explain

Title of Jesus

A. Human Titles

• Teacher

• Carpenter

• Son of Joseph

B. Divine (God) Titles

• Logos (Word) = God’s self-expression

• “I AM” = Name of God

C. Mixed Titles

• Son of Man → Human + heavenly meaning

• Son of God → Could mean close to God OR truly God

• Lord → Can mean respect OR God

Ascension

40 days after resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven

Where is Jesus Now?

• In heaven

• In the Eucharist

• Interceding (pleading) to God the Father for us

Ecclesiology

(Study of the Church)

What is the Church?

• Not a building → community of people

• A mystery (from God)

Images of the Church:

• Body of Christ

  • Jesus = Head

  • We = Members

• Bride of Christ

  • Jesus = Spouse

  • Church = United with Him

• Sacrament

  • Visible sign of the invisible Jesus

Purpose of the Church

To bring people to heaven