Jesus

Definition

Jesus is a central figure in Christianity, believed by Christians to be the incarnate Son of God and the awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament. His life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection are foundational to Christian faith, representing the fulfillment of God's covenant with humanity and establishing a new way of relationship between God and people.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jesus was born around 4 BC in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, leading a ministry that lasted approximately three years before his crucifixion around AD 30.
2. His teachings emphasized love, mercy, forgiveness, and the coming of God's kingdom, challenging established religious authorities and societal norms.
3. The crucifixion of Jesus is viewed as a redemptive act that provides salvation to believers, highlighting the significance of his resurrection three days later.
4. Jesus' followers were initially a small group of disciples but eventually became a global movement that spread his message throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.
5. The impact of Jesus on history is profound, influencing countless aspects of culture, ethics, philosophy, and law throughout the centuries.

Review Questions

• What are some key themes in the teachings of Jesus that connect to the narratives in the Old Testament?
  • Key themes in Jesus' teachings include love for God and neighbor, forgiveness, and the concept of the Kingdom of God. These themes resonate with Old Testament narratives that emphasize covenant relationships, justice, and compassion. For example, Jesus frequently quoted from the prophets and reinterpreted laws to highlight their deeper spiritual significance, showing continuity between his mission and God's earlier promises to Israel.
• How did Jesus’ death and resurrection reshape the understanding of God’s covenant with humanity compared to Old Testament views?
  • Jesus’ death and resurrection marked a pivotal shift from the Old Testament understanding of covenant based on law and ritual sacrifice to one rooted in grace and personal relationship. Through his sacrificial act, believers see a new covenant established where faith in Jesus provides direct access to God. This redefined relationship emphasizes inner transformation over mere adherence to law.
• Evaluate how Jesus’ role as both fully divine and fully human affects Christian beliefs about salvation and humanity’s relationship with God.
  • Jesus' dual nature as fully divine and fully human is crucial for Christian beliefs about salvation. It affirms that he can mediate between God and humanity while also experiencing human suffering. This connection allows for a deeper understanding of grace—Jesus' humanity makes him relatable to human struggles, while his divinity ensures that his sacrifice has infinite worth. This unique role fundamentally shapes how Christians perceive redemption and their ongoing relationship with God.

Related terms

Messiah: The anointed one expected to bring salvation to the people, fulfilling the prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Gospel: The accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection found in the New Testament, specifically in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Atonement:

The theological concept that describes how Jesus' sacrificial death reconciles humanity with God, allowing for forgiveness of sins.