JHCF Chapter 5

Infancy Narratives

  • Stories of the birth and childhood of Jesus
  • Occur only in Matt. and Luke
  • Tell us more about Christ of Faith than Jesus of History
  • Matt. and Lk. differ bec. written for different purposes
  • Writers more concerned with significance of events than details

Matthew

  • A Jew writing for Jews. Traces genealogy of Jesus to Abraham--father of faith.
  • Tells of birth from Joseph’s point of view--women weren’t credible witnesses
  • Visit of Magi shows Jesus accepted by many Gentiles; rejected by many Jews.
  • Gifts of Magi: Gold (king), Incense (divinity), Myrrh (suffering and death)
  • Slaughter of Innocents by Herod; flight to Egypt
  • Return to Nazareth in Galilee upon Herod’s death

Luke

  • Begins with announcement of John the Baptist’s birth (Eliz. and Zechariah)
  • Gabriel’s announcement of birth of Jesus and Mary’s visit to Elizabeth give us the first part of the Hail Mary.
  • Mary’s song of praise and thanksgiving to God is the Magnificat
  • Birth in Bethlehem--angels announce to shepherds (the Poor)
  • Presentation: prophecies of Anna and Simeon
  • Finding of Jesus in the Temple
  • Jesus “increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Lk. 2:52).

Matthew’s Intention: Three Themes

  • Jesus is Messiah
  • Gentiles Accept, many Jews reject
  • Jesus is new Moses-Lawgiver of the Heart--will lead to full freedom and salvation

Luke’s Intention:

  • Good News is for everybody, esp. poor and outcast

a. shepherds first to recognize Him

b. genealogy begins with Jesus and works all the way back to Adam, the first man and father of ALL

Hidden Years

  • Probably born around 6 or 5 B.C., in the reign of Herod the Great.
  • Shares our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, but is without sin
  • Circumcised on the 8th day as sign of membership in covenant community of the Jews--goes back to Abraham
  • Probably a carpenter
  • Probably spoke Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew; studied scripture and Jewish history
  • Developed a great love and understanding of the Jewish bible

Jesus’ Public Life--Beginnings

  • John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance for sins
  • John never claimed to be the Messiah
  • Baptism of water--bathing in water a sign of spiritual purification in many religions

Jesus’ Baptism in the Gospels

  • Dove symbolizes Israel and, less often, the Spirit of God
  • John: no account
  • Mark: Heavens open, spirit (dove descends), Voice: “You are my Son. . . .”
  • Luke: Baptism, Jesus prays, dove, Voice
  • Matt.: John and Jesus disagree as to why baptize, then dove and Voice. Jesus sees baptism as
  • part of God’s plan
  • a way to immerse himself in the life of his people
  • the first step on the road to the cross

Temptation in the Desert

  • Recalls the forty yrs. Israel wandered w/ Moses in the desert--Jesus is the “new Israel”
  • Jews looking for a powerful, political and military messiah; Jesus rejects this
  • In Matt., Jesus responds to every temptation by quoting Deuteronomy

1. Stones into Bread: Live by God’s Word, not economic power

2. Jump off the Temple: Don’t put God to the test. No magic. Miracles were not magic, but a way to bring good into the world

3. Control the world but worship Satan: Worship and Serve God only -- “No” to political power.

  • Meant as a warning to all of us--don’t look for meaning of life in economic, personal, or political, power.

Jesus as Preacher/Teacher

  • Jesus different from other rabbis

1. Taught w/ absolute authority. Claimed to be the sole judge of the truth of what he taught. Not everybody agreed with this.

2. Proclaimed the Kingdom of God in his words and actions (embodied it) -- gave himself a special role in it

3. Used miracles and parables extensively

  • Jesus chose his disciples. They received authority from him and had to share his mission. Jesus calls each of us to a personal, loving relationship with God. We also have share in his mission.

Apostles

  • Ordinary people chosen to share the Good News of God’s kingdom with all people
  • Referred to as The Twelve and selected by Jesus after prayer
  • 12 Tribes of Israel--new foundation of faith
  • Peter a blend of strengths and weaknesses. Showed great faith and devotion, also cowardice and ignorance (a “duh”-ciple?)