Jesus

• Messiah


  The anointed one: in Jewish scriptures the word was used for people who were set aside to carry out a special task. High priest and Kings were usually anointed with oil as a sign that God has chosen them.
• Son of God


  The Jewish scriptures refer to the king of Israel as God's son however, Jesus himself never used this title to describe himself. Son of God became a much more popular way to describe Jesus after his death and resurrection. Son of God reminds Christians that Jesus had divine as well as human characteristics.
• Lord and Saviour


  Title that denoted a person's rank over others but also has religious implications since some rulers were considered to have been chosen by God. Jesus is referred to many times as Lord in the Gospels. Jesus: God saves. The Jews expected a military messiah who would overthrow their enemies however, Jesus as saviour means something else for Christians. Christians believe God offers salvation to humankind through his death and resurrection. This means that Jesus sacrificed himself and took punishment for humankind.
• Jesus never referred to himself as a Messiah but rather as a suffering servant. Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah however Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone.
• Jesus wanted his identity as Messiah kept secret because: Some Jews were looking for a warrior Messiah to overthrow the Romans. Jesus was not this kind of Messiah. He didn't fit this image because he was a suffering servant Messiah who would overcome sin by his death. Some Jews were looking for a king who would have great wealth and power and demand obedience. This was not Jesus' aim. He had come to serve, not to be served. If Jesus had openly declared that he was the Messiah the Romans would probably have had him arrested. This would have meant that Jesus would not have been able to complete his work.
• Son of Man


  Jesus often referred to himself as the son of man, Two meanings: Prophet Ezekiel: used to describe himself as an ordinary person. Likewise Jesus may have called himself son of man to show that he was a person just like them. Used in prophecy in Daniel: to describe a figure with authority from God. Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man to emphasise his human nature. He wanted to show that he was an ordinary person as well as having authority from God.
• Son of David


  King David was regarded as the greatest king of Israel. During his reign he had a successful empire. The Jews expected or longed for their king to be a descendant of David chosen by God to rule as King so that Israel would have its own empire once again. The title Son of David needs to be seen in a Jewish context. Most Jews expected that their future Messiah would be a descendant of the great Israelite king David and this title might be difficult for some people to understand.
• The Word


  In John chapter 1 Jesus is referred to as the Word. "In the beginning (reminds us of the creation stories in Gen 1) was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him (The Word) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome… The Word (Jesus) became flesh (incarnation) and made his dwelling (home/house) among us." The Word (Jesus) the word for Word in Greek was Logos – Logos meant same as God. Jesus (The Word) is transcendent and eternal in the same way as God the Father is. Jesus is equal to God the Father.
• The Sermon on the Mount

  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
  • Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
  • Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled
  • Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
  • Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
  • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• Examples of Jesus' teachings and actions

  • Jesus' actions act as an example of how we should like our life. For example, in service to others – washing of disciple's feet.
  • Jesus' ability to perform miracles shows Christians that God will help us in our times of need, if we have faith.
  • Jesus' suffering on the cross shows us that God knows what it is like to suffer. When we suffer we can rest assured that God knows how we feel.
  • Jesus' beatitudes give us the perfect guide on how to live our lives. We should be peacemakers, fight for righteousness, etc...
  • If we follow the teaching of Jesus from the parable of the sheep and goats, we understand how to get to heaven, and how to be good humans.
  • With the crucifixion of Jesus we can see God's love for the world (John 3:16). Jesus dies for atonement and our salvation.
  • We can follow Jesus' example from the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Treat everyone equally, help where help is needed, don't be prejudice.
• Salvation


  Many Christians believe that because Adam and Eve sinned (original sin) in the Fall (eating the apple from the tree of knowledge), the relationship with God has been broken and something had to be done to repair the relationship. Humans have to be saved from the punishment of their sins. Christians believe that the saving process (salvation) was done by God himself. This happens when God becomes man (incarnation) in Jesus. When Jesus is crucified He is the sacrifice for all humanity. Only Jesus can undo the sin of Adam and Eve because only Jesus doesn't have original sin (remember he is Fully God- who is without sin). This is known as atonement. Atonement is a word to describe something that makes amends or pays for having done something wrong.
• Atonement


  Christians use the Jewish background to help them understand the significance of Jesus' death on the cross. In the letters to the Hebrews in the New Testament the writer makes it clear that Jesus' sacrifice was superior to that of animals, and that, by the sacrifice of Jesus, a new agreement (covenant) had been created between God and mankind: "by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:9-10
• Incarnation


  For Christians, Jesus is not just a good human being whose example is worth following. For Christians he is God made man- God incarnate. Because of Mary's Immaculate Conception (Mary conceiving a child but not through natural means of Sexual intercourse) Jesus is not affected by Original sin (the sin of Adam & Eve that all humans share in). This marks Jesus out as totally different to us and therefore the most important event in Jesus' life. Jesus's incarnation is necessary for him to die on the cross. The crucifixion is God's way of taking on the punishment of human sin. Jesus fixes the broken relationship between God and his creation. In Luke's Gospel we here Jesus' dying words to be 'father into your hands I commend my spirit'. This shows to us that Jesus know his mission to atone for original sin is finished and the purpose of his incarnation is complete.
• Crucifixion


  In his crucifixion on the cross Jesus shares in the pain and suffering of humanity. When Jesus was nailed to a wooden cross and left there to die a slow, painful and humiliating death God knew exactly what it means to be a human. We hear of Jesus' crucifixion in the 4 Gospels. In Mark's account 15:21-41 we are told 'at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We can sometimes feel that when bad things happen to us in life that God has abandoned us, just like Jesus does here. However, because of God's incarnation (when God become flesh) in Jesus, God knows the struggles we face in life. God took a part in his creation to share in our pain and suffering. If might also seem like the crucifixion is a low point in the life of Jesus but Christian believers will know that the this is necessary for atonement of the sins of Adam and Eve. Jesus' death had a purpose that benefits all humans. The death of Christ on the cross allows for humans to have eternal life in heaven with God. The crucifixion of Christ also links to some Old Testament prophecies made about the Messiah. Because of his crucifixion Christians can be sure he is the Messiah.
• Resurrection


  Once the crucifixion happened, this was not the end as it would be for a normal human. Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days. Jesus' rising from the dead demonstrates his power over death. The resurrection proves conclusively that he is not just a prophet like Moses, Elijah or many others. For Christians he is the Chosen one, the anointed one, the Messiah. We should worship him as such. Christians believe that with His resurrection Jesus paves the way to heaven for us. All we need to do to get eternal life in heave is to accept him. Jesus explains this to us when he said "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even when he dies' John 11:25. Resurrection is not simply one aspect of Christianity. We cannot remove that piece of the Christian jigsaw labelled 'resurrection' and leave anything which is recognisable as the Christian faith.
• Ascension


  The ascension account from Luke's Gospel 24:50-53 tells us that, "When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God." The rising up (taken up) of Jesus to heaven shows the success of God over evil. Jesus isn't falsely killed a second time. Wrong his been put right. We should remember this when we have struggles in life. Good will always prevail. We can rise above the difficulties we face. Christians will see the ascension as the end to Jesus' earthly work. He goes up to heaven to take his place beside God. Christians are told that Jesus will judge us when we die. If we have lived a good life, for example we have followed the beatitudes and have been meek, peaceful, merciful etc… then we will gain entry to heaven. As Christians Jesus is the lord and saviour we ultimately want to spend our afterlife in his presence. If Jesus didn't ascend to heaven then we wouldn't know if this was possible to do.