Chapter Five 104 The Mission Begins II The Hidden Years I Infancy Narratives III Beginnings of Public Life IV Preacher / Teacher

Chapter Five104

The Mission Begins

II The Hidden Years

I Infancy Narratives

III Beginnings of Public Life

IV Preacher / Teacher

Infancy Stories (Infancy Narratives)

A. Introduction

C. Matthew

D. Luke

B. Gospel of John

1. “Explanation”

•Cause and effect

•Evidence - data

•Surface- Latin “planus” = flat

•Answers “How?”“How?”

A. Introduction

2. “MeaningMeaning”•Beneath the “surface”

•Mystery

•Intuition - not logic

•Deals with the deepest““Why”Why”

A. Introduction

3. The gospels are “faith literature”

a) Not so much concerned with “explanation”“explanation”as with

““meaning.meaning.””

b) Not so much the “how?” as the “why?”“why?”

A. Introduction

4. Approaching the infancy stories we should ask:

a) What do

these things

mean?mean?

b) What point point is the gospel writer trying to make?

c) What can we

understand about Jesusabout Jesus

from this?

39The Four The Four GospelsGospels

Matt.

65-70 C.E

90ish C.E

80’s C.EJohn95ish C.E.

70 C.E

.

80 C.E

. LukLukee

90 C.E.

100 C.E.

MarMarkk

infancy narrative

s

39

MattheMattheww

LukLukee infancy

narratives

I Infancy Stories

A. Introduction

C. Matthew

D. Luke

B. Gospel of John

B. The Gospel of John

106

Speaks of the origins of Jesus in a complex, poetic, highly philosophical prelude: the the

“prologue”“prologue”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him… And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:1, 10-14)

The Gospel of John

106

•The last gospel written

•Jesus as Son of God is the starting pointstarting point for John.

•Speaks of Jesus as “the Wordthe Word” that reveals, communicates to us the reality of God

•Explores the origins of Jesusorigins of Jesus in the heart of God before the beginning of before the beginning of

timetime.

•Result of many years of reflection

I Infancy Stories

A. Introduction

C. Matthew

D. Luke

B. Gospel of John

C. The Gospel of Matthew

107

• Starts with Jesus’ genealogy (family tree)

• return of holy family to Nazareth in Galilee

• the “flight into Egypt”

• Visit of the Magi:Magi: the star, the three gifts

• Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ birth (1:18-25)

•slaughter of innocents

1. Outline

2. Matthew’s Matthew’s themesthemes shown in his infancy shown in his infancy storiesstories

a. Jesus is the Messiah

d. Jesus is the new Moses

b. Jesus accepted by pagans and rejected by

Jews

“Son of David, Son of Abraham” (1:1)

Story of the Magi (2:1-12)

Jesus escapes from the slaughter of all male infants

Written for Jewish converts

c. Jesus is the new IsraelFlight into Egypt (2:13-15)

3. The Visit of the Magi110

- “Magoi” - astrologers, worked with occult wisdom. From Persia

- Star? Possibly a nova in 5.b.c.e.

- In medieval times they became “kings”

(Matthew)

- gospel does not give a number, e.g. three

I Infancy Stories

A. Introduction

C. Matthew

D. Luke

B. Gospel of John

The Gospel of Luke108

A. Preface ( before Jesus’ birth )

C. Early Childhood Stories

B. Infancy Narratives

The Gospel of Luke 108

A. Starts with a preface before Jesus’ birth

2. “Annunciation:” Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to bear a son, Jesus (1:26-38)

1. Announcement of Birth of John the Baptist (1:5-25)

3. “The Visitation:” Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, mother of Baptist, (1:39-45)

4. Mary’s poetic response, “The Magnificat” (46-55)

5. John the Baptist: birth, circumcision, naming (vv 57-80)





B. Luke’s Infancy Narratives 108

1. “The Nativity” : Birth of Jesus. Mary “wrapped him in swaddling clothesswaddling clothes, laid him in a mangera manger, no room in the inn.the inn.” (2:7)

2. Angels announce news to shepherds. shepherds. Shepherds visit stable.

(2:11)3. Jesus’ circumcisioncircumcision, , andpresentation presentation

in the temple, prophecies by Simeon and Anna (2:21-38)





C. Luke’s Early Childhood Stories 108

Jesus went down with his parents and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. … And

Jesus increased in wisdom and in years... (2:51-52)”

2. a) Jesus lived in Nazareth

b) Jesus increased in wisdom

1. Jesus at age 12age 12 found teaching in temple

(2:41-50)

Luke’sLuke’s Themes shown in his infancy stories

Written for gentile Christians

B. Jesus came for allall people, not just

for Jews

A. Important roles for “minorities:” Central roles of

poor & outcasts

Mary, Elizabeth

First visitors = shepherds

Genealogy traces Christ

Adam

C. Jesus as humble, poor

Born in a stable,

laid in a manger

back to

LukeLuke::

“The good news is

for everyone!”

Two genealogies of Christ

Luke (Ch.3:23-38)

“Born in Bethlehem”

Adam

JesusJesus

Matthew (Ch.1:1-17)

Abraham

JesusJesus

“Son of David, Son of Abraham”

Chapter Five104

The Mission Begins

II The Hidden Years




The Hidden YearsThe Hidden Years114

B. Jesus probably experienced the life of a typical Jew of his day

C. He must have been particularly gifted, intelligent, sensitive

D. A human, one with us in everything except SIN.

A. We can only make educated guesses based on solid assumptions

E. What year was Jesus Born?E. What year was Jesus Born?114

1. Born during reign of Herod, who died in 4 B.C.E.

2. People of that time didn’t treat dates with the same precise attitude as we do.

In what year was Jesus’ Born?In what year was Jesus’ Born?114

3. About the time of St. Benedict, Europeans numbered their years from the year that the emperor Diocletian became emperor.

4. A scholarly monk, Dionysius Exiguus, decided to number the years based instead on the date of Jesus’ birth.

In what year was Jesus’ Born?114

5. Dionysius counted the years back to the

birth of Christ, and named that “Year 1

A.D.”

6. All subsequent years were numbered accordingly.

WOOPS!

114

1 +10 +50 +100 +200 +300 +400 +500

7. Dionysius calculated the years and came up with 532.

8. He goofed! Counted 4 to 6 years too few.

9. So Jesus was actually born somewhere between 4-6 B.C.E.

F. Jesus’ BirthdayF. Jesus’ Birthday114

1. December 25 was chosen in 3rd century

a. Starting with the night of Dec. 24-25, the days get longer, nights shorter. There was already the pagan Roman feast of “sol invictus,” (“the unconquered sun,”) celebrated on that date to mark the longest night of the year.

G. Jesus’ Childhood in G. Jesus’ Childhood in NazarethNazareth

116

1. Probably worked as a carpenter with his father2. Good education (p.117)

- Probably 3 languages: Aramaic, Hebrew,

Greek- Synagogue school at age 8-13 Scriptures, faith, history of

Judaism

3. Faith-filled family lifeMary and Joseph deeply prayerful

and committed Jews

Chapter Five104

The Mission Begins

II The Hidden Years




104

Second Episode: Temptation of Christ in the Desert

First Episode: Baptism by John in the Jordan


III Beginnings of Jesus’ Public LifeIII Beginnings of Jesus’ Public Life118

A. John the Baptist’s Baptism of Repentance1. John’s task was to prepare the way for

Jesus.John announced that a whole new order was about to begin.

“Get ready! Repent of your sins!”

2. The symbol of this repentance was a ritual bath, “baptism” of repentance

B. Jesus’ Baptism by John the B. Jesus’ Baptism by John the BaptistBaptist

118

1. John,baptizing in the Jordan, recognizes Jesus.

2. At Jesus’ request John baptizes him.

3. After the baptism , “a voice from the heavens” and a vision of “the Holy Spirit,

descending like a dove”

4. Symbolism in Jesus’ Baptism4. Symbolism in Jesus’ Baptism118

a. The dove - in OT symbol of Israel & less often Spirit of God

b. The voice - in OT God speaks from heaven, sometimes concealed by a cloud

C. Two C. Two ProblemsProblems with Jesus’ Being with Jesus’ Being Baptized by John the BaptistBaptized by John the Baptist

120

A. John’s Baptism of A. John’s Baptism of RepentanceRepentance

B. Symbolism in Jesus’ B. Symbolism in Jesus’ BaptismBaptism

C. Problems with Jesus’ C. Problems with Jesus’ Being Baptized by John the Being Baptized by John the

BaptistBaptist

120

1. John’s baptism is a sign of repentance for sins, but Jesus is divine, sinless

2. Early church wanted to show that Jesus was greater than John. But Jesus seems to be

submitting to John!

C. Problems with the Baptism cont’dC. Problems with the Baptism cont’d 120

Jesus’ acceptance was not an admission of sin, rather it indicated his willingness to immerse himself completely in the life & concerns of his people

3. Matthew’s solution: Jesus says, “It is part of God’s plan that I should be baptized.”

4. The first step on the road to the cross

C. Two Problems with Jesus’ Being C. Two Problems with Jesus’ Being Baptized by John the BaptistBaptized by John the Baptist

120

A. John’s Baptism of A. John’s Baptism of RepentanceRepentance

B. Symbolism in Jesus’ B. Symbolism in Jesus’ BaptismBaptism

D. A Moment of Self-D. A Moment of Self-Discovery for JesusDiscovery for Jesus

D. Jesus’ D. Jesus’ Baptism:Baptism:

120

Aha!

a moment of self-a moment of self-discoverydiscovery

D. Jesus’ D. Jesus’ Baptism:Baptism:

120

Jesus learns two chief lessons about himself:1. That he was chosen in a special way to

proclaim and begin a new kingdom

a moment of self-a moment of self-discoverydiscovery

(Isaiah 42:1 = Suffering Servant who will deliver God’s people)

2. That he would be given the power to fulfill that role through the spirit of God symbolized by the dove

104

Second Episode: Temptation of Christ in the Desert

First Episode: Baptism by John in the Jordan


The Temptation in the The Temptation in the DesertDesert1. Jesus is out in the wilderness for

40 days fasting and praying

a. Satan approaches him with three temptations:i To turn stones into breadii To throw himself from a high point

of the temple and have God catch him (to prove his special relationship with God)

iii To fall down and worship the devil who would then give him “all the kingdoms of the world”

121

2. What does this story MEAN?

a. Jesus, “The New Israel,” did not a. Jesus, “The New Israel,” did not fail. During the Jews’ 40 years in fail. During the Jews’ 40 years in the desert, they gave in to the desert, they gave in to temptations, but Jesus does not.temptations, but Jesus does not.

122

2. What does this story MEAN?

b. Jesus rejects the kind of messiah expected by his people:

i Economic power (stones into bread)

ii Magical power (throw himself from a high point of the temple to “wow” everyone.)

iii Political power (worship the devil, and control “all the kingdoms of the world”)

122

Chapter Five104

The Mission Begins

II The Hidden Years




IV Wandering preacher / unique teacher

A. How was Jesus like other rabbis of his day?

B. How was Jesus unlike other rabbis?

C. Jesus’ unique relationship with his disciples

D. The twelve apostles

E. Simon Peter

A. How was A. How was Jesus like Jesus like other rabbis other rabbis of his day?of his day?

123

1. It was common for Jewish rabbis, or teachers of the Law, to roam from place to place teaching.

2. Rabbis were often followed by disciples, who studied under them.






E. Simon Peter

B. How was Jesus B. How was Jesus unlikeunlike other other rabbis?rabbis?

123

1. His message: He proclaimed a new kind of Kingdom of God.

2. He claimed that he was not just announcing it, but establishing it!

3. He taught on his own authority, not by quoting other rabbis or scripture.

4. He used parables and performed miracles, a dramatic difference from other rabbis.






E. Simon Peter

C. Jesus’ Unique C. Jesus’ Unique Relationship with his Relationship with his

disciplesdisciples

125

1. He chose THEM, - they did not choose him.

2. His disciples would never claim their own authority, but would always rely on the authority of Jesus.

3. They were not just to watch and learn, but were called to share in His mission of proclaiming the kingdom.






E. Simon Peter

D. The Twelve ApostlesD. The Twelve Apostles125-6

1. “The twelve”:Their number echoed the 12 tribes of Israel.

2. Given two tasks by Jesus:

3. Greek verb apostelo = “to send forth.”

carry on his mission of preaching the Good News.

share in his power and

D. The Twelve ApostlesD. The Twelve Apostles126

4. Ordinary people -

often portrayed as baffled, unable to understand Jesus, some abandoned him for awhile, etc., butbut

5. because of their association with Jesus, these ordinary people were capable of extraordinary things.






E. Simon Peter

E. Simon PeterE. Simon Peter124

1. The recognized 1. The recognized leaderleader among the apostles. among the apostles.

2. Considered by Roman Catholics as 2. Considered by Roman Catholics as the first the first pope.pope.

E. Simon PeterE. Simon Peter 124

3. Peter is portrayed in the gospels as 3. Peter is portrayed in the gospels as being being a lot like usa lot like us -- at our best and our -- at our best and our weakest.weakest.

b. Often b. Often hot-headedhot-headed, , boldbold, and then , and then cowardlycowardly..

a. He a. He makes mistakesmakes mistakes and needs and needs forgivenessforgiveness

c. Can seem very c. Can seem very brightbright, , and then really and then really ignorantignorant..

TheTheEndEnd

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Chapter Five 104 The Mission Begins II The Hidden Years I Infancy Narratives III Beginnings of Public Life IV Preacher / Teacher