Jesus: His Life and Teachings

Jesus' Name

  • Yeshua translates to "Yahweh is salvation".
  • Christ translates to "anointed one". Jewish kings were anointed by God.
  • "Jesus the Christ" was eventually shortened to Jesus Christ.

Infancy Narratives

  • Gospels: John, Matthew, Luke, Mark.
  • Summarization and relating to the portrait of Jesus each Gospel writer has is needed.
  • Reading each infancy narrative helps us to understand Jesus' birth better.

Early Life

  • Born in Bethlehem around 4 BCE.
  • Conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary.
  • Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth but traveled to Bethlehem for a census.
  • The family settled in Nazareth of Galilee.

Childhood and Early Adult Life

  • Studied Judaism and practiced carpentry.
  • At 12, during a Passover pilgrimage, Jesus was found in the Temple asking questions to Jewish teachers.
  • Jesus said: “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2: 52)

Ministry

  • Baptized by John at 30; the Holy Spirit affirmed Jesus as the Son of God.
  • Traveled through Judea with disciples, teaching social justice.

Teachings

  • Quotes promote certain attitudes, such as humility.
  • Examples:
    • “The last shall be first and the first shall be last.”
    • “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Opposition

  • Priestly Caste/High Priest: Politically influential, served as intermediaries, and were resented by common society.
  • Sadducees: Upper class, politically powerful, conservative but willing to compromise.
  • Pharisees: Political and religious rivals to Sadducees, more liberal, unwilling to compromise.
  • Zealots: Jewish rebels seeking to overthrow Roman rule; attracted to Jesus' message but not his non-violence.

Last Days

  • Grew in popularity, some believed he performed miracles and was the Messiah.
  • Shared the Passover meal with disciples before being arrested; betrayed by Judas.

Death

  • Charged with blasphemy and contempt of God.
  • Sentenced by Pontius Pilate and crucified at Golgotha.

Resurrection and Ascension

  • Body moved to a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea.
  • Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty; Jesus appeared to her.
  • Jesus appeared to apostles over 40 days.
  • Ascended on the 40th day.
  • Apostles received the Holy Spirit 10 days later.